Transgenders recently received a much-needed show of support with the release of a video to mark the international Transgender Day of Visibility.
The video was released by Guyana Together, a grassroots, public education effort to increase acceptance levels among Guyanese and reduce the level of stigma and prejudice for LGBT+ Guyanese. The campaign focusses on sharing the stories of LGBT+ people who have found acceptance and support from family, coworkers, neighbours, friends and religious leaders among others.
In a release yesterday, Guyana Together explained that the video is timed to mark the international Transgender Day of Visibility, which is being observed today. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of transgender people, while also raising awareness of the discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide.
This video (third in a series), will be aired both on local television stations and across a wide range of social media platforms. It complements two other videos launched in September and October 2023. The first video features a young lesbian, Krystal Trim, and ally Eusebia Liverpool, who has been a mother figure in Trim’s life since her biological mother passed away when she was a teenager. The second video features Guyanese model and pageant queen, Kristal Inshan, and her gay friend, fashion designer, Avinash Narine, and captures support through friendship. In the third campaign video, Kaisha tells her story of unconditional love for her brother, her “confidante.” Kaisha tells a story of bonding between Tarique and her teen daughter whom Tarique has taken the responsibility to help with her Mathematics studies. This, another act of love that strengthened Kaisha’s bond with her brother Tarique.
In a testimonial for her younger brother, Tarique, an emotional Kaisha Davis emphasised, “Tarique is my rock.” Tarique is a transgender man, meaning “Tarique was assigned female at birth but now lives his life everyday as the man he knows himself to be. Family provides the basis of love and support for most Guyanese, and for Kaisha, love and acceptance is not just about reciprocity. It is about a caring sibling who has been consistent with their thoughts and actions towards Kaisha, as well as his other siblings, the release stated.
These three videos, the release states, capture real stories of “immeasurable” love and support from family and friends for gay and trans Guyanese.
According to the release, both videos have seen positive support publicly and all videos can be accessed online at guyanatogether.gy and the campaign’s social media pages on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube with the handle @GuyanaTogether. The website also provides more information on the campaign and how supporters can become involved.
