The High Commission of Canada in partnership with Equal Guyana on Monday unveiled a painting of the Progress Pride Flag on the driveway of the Canadian High Commission on Young Street, Kingston, Georgetown.
A release from the High Commission on Tuesday stated that the 12 x 19 foot painting was unveiled by High Commissioner Mark Berman along with the Managing Director of EQUAL Guyana, Anil Persaud and EQUAL Guyana members, Raiza Khan and Scott Singh.
According to release, the painting was done in celebration of Pride Month and as part of the High Commission’s activities to support the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in Guyana. The High Commission of Canada and EQUAL Guyana recently signed a project agreement to promote gender equality with the focus of establishing LGBT rights through engagement, education and empowerment.
Empowering Queers Using Artistic Learning (EQUAL Guyana) is a non-governmental human rights project promoting equality for all, through the engagement, education and empowerment of gender and sexual minorities in Guyana.
The High Commissioner declared, “Today, I am extremely proud to unveil this painting in the High Commission compound as a symbol of LGBT rights and the progress that has been made thus far. However, it is also a very bold reminder that there is still a lot more to be done locally and globally to address discrimination and LGBT rights, but Canada will remain a strong advocate for the human rights of all and the freedom to be yourself,” adding that he was proud to have the painting done at the High Commission.
Later this month, EQUAL Guyana will again partner with the High Commission, this time for a social media take-over where EQUAL Guyana will use the High Commission’s Instagram platform to engage with the followers and share information about the importance of pronouns for the LGBT community and why using the correct pronoun is important, the release said.
Canada also welcomed the recent announcement by the Government of Guyana that it will strike out the law against cross-dressing in keeping with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling and will continue to support education and dialogue to address stereotypes and prejudice against LGBT persons locally.
