If political promises matter, Guyana is about to repeal its anti-gay laws
Five Guyana political parties called for an end to anti-homosexuality laws
With national elections over, LGBTQ+ advocates in Guyana say they are ready to work with the new administration to remove Guyana from its status as the only South American country with an anti-homosexuality law.
The LGBTQ+ rights organization SASOD (the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination) stated that it “looks forward to continue working with the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic administration to fulfill its manifesto commitment to ‘enact and enforce legislation for the prevention of discrimination, including any discrimination faced on the basis of sexual orientation.’ ”
In advance of the Sept. 1 election, all but some of Guyana’s six political parties declared their support for repealing of laws that criminalize same-sex intimacy.
SASOD called for decriminalization of sodomy; passage of LGBT anti-discrimination laws; initiatives supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in government, education, and health care; and emergency shelters for youth.
The Women’s Chamber of Commerce for Guyana also called for the repeal of anti-gay laws.
It’s now time for promises to be turned into reality.
SASOD congratulated Mohamed Irfaan Ali on his re-election as president in hopes that he will make good on his promises.
