Dear Editor,
I read the front page coverage of your December 17th 2018 newspaper with the caption `SASOD’s 15th Anniversary’. In the picture were Minister of Education, the Honourable Nicolette Henry, PPP/C Parliamentarians, Ms. Gail Teixeira and Mr. Nigel Dharamlall, along with SASOD’s Mr. Joel Simpson.
As a citizen of Guyana, I wish to express my democratic right to speak out against this sexual confusion, and not to condone and confuse the minds of normal right thinking fellow Guyanese that this behaviour of man and man, woman and woman relationship, is an acceptable norm in our society. I especially think of those children struggling with identity problems who would be looking at this picture and feeling even more confused about their sexual identity.
The sad part for me, is the two women in the picture could be mothers to these two young men. This picture conveys an imagery of agreement to this confusion, sanctioning what we know to be learned behaviour expressed by a minority group in our society. One wonders when these women as mothers, look at themselves in this picture, do they see themselves as representatives of a good role model in this aspect of human behaviour of sexual identity? The question that should come to mind, am I adding value to the moral fabric of society, or am I devaluing the personhood of another human being? It is clear we do not know right from wrong. When in doubt, find out. None of us can claim to know everything in this life. I believe it would be the correct thing, as leaders in our society, serving in high office to seek the pertinent guidance from those qualified in the specific areas of concern. In the name of politics we sanction right and wrong. This is NOT acceptable sexual behaviour, yet in the name of politics and because we want to please all our constituencies we endorse and put our stamp on any and everything.
In concluding, I wish to suggest that matters of social concerns be directed to the leaders of the church who are equipped to speak to these issues and could offer guidance in this direction. This way, the State and the Church are involved and accountable to this process of nation building.
Yours faithfully,
Maria Rodrigues