The Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG) is the latest Guyanese organisation to join the growing call for the urgent repeal of outdated laws that crimminalise same-sex intimacy. Partnering with the Guyana Together campaign, WCCIG hosted a special session at their Women and Girls’ Summit held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre last Thursday in observation of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.
National conversation
WCCIG called for a “national conversation” about the importance of treating all Guyanese with respect. “I’m proud that the Women’s Chamber is part of this conversation,” Josephine Tapp, WCCIG President declared in her opening remarks, “especially around International Women’s Day and in Women’s History Month – at a time when we are celebrating progress towards gender equality and renewing our commitment to gender justice.”
Tapp who lauded the Guyana Together campaign’s work also called for real changes to be made that signals inclusion. “The Women’s Chamber stands with Guyana Together in calling for the immediate repeal of the discriminatory laws that criminalise same-sex intimacy. These outdated, colonial-era laws do not reflect the values of 21st-century Guyana and it is way past time for Guyana to make a change,” Tapp emphasised.
Decriminalise same-sex intimacy
Attorney-at-Law Chandrawattie Persaud, guest speaker at the event, pointed out that Guyana is the only South American country with laws that crimminalise same-sex intimacy. “These outdated laws – originally imposed on Guyana in 1893 by the British Empire – do not reflect the values of today’s Guyanese society,” Persaud told the gathering. “Most CARICOM countries have already eliminated these anti-gay laws, as more countries around the world – and especially in the Caribbean – overturn their discriminatory laws, Guyana should not wait any longer to be on the right side of history,” she said. A 2022 poll showed that 54% of Guyanese support the repeal of this law. “Support is even higher among younger people,” Persaud pointed out.
Persaud, a workers’ advocate with a background in Public Health, also used the opportunity to highlight how health and human rights are linked together. “Criminalisation, along with pervasive discrimination, obstructs LGBTQ+ people from accessing health services, including testing and treatment for HIV and other life-saving medical care,” Persaud said. She pointed out too that several international bodies have made links between decriminalising same-sex intimacy, saving lives and equality, dignity, and health for everyone. “Guyana is a country rich in diversity. Every individual has value and contributes to our national fabric, and that includes our gay, bisexual and transgender family, friends and coworkers. I encourage each of you to join me in supporting the “Guyana Together” campaign. I invite you to reach out and get involved,” she added.
Ending gender discrimination
The Attorney-at-Law, while calling on the women leaders to support this call for decriminalisation, also called for an end to discrimination. “I believe the effort to secure empowerment for women is so closely related to the need for protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people,” she explained. “And not just because many LGBT people are, of course, women themselves. But as women, we know that challenging societal norms and identities is never easy,” she added. Persaud lamented that women continue to experience unfair treatment, are judged by different standards and are denied opportunities based on perceptions and stereotypes about gender. “Unfortunately, sexual harassment and domestic violence continue to be major areas of concern here in Guyana,” she stated. “Similarly, LGBT people in Guyana continue to face high levels of exclusion, harassment and violence. And laws that stigmatise them, also lead to further discrimination in education, employment, healthcare and social services,” Persaud explained.
A call for respect
Persaud told the forum that discrimination and harassment in any form is wrong as she made an appeal for respect for all. “I grew up on the Essequibo coast and I come from a humble family where the values of hard work, persistence and drive are never overlooked,” she said. “As a child growing up, I was taught the Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them
do unto you. It’s a saying that truly applies to every aspect of life. Respecting others means
treating our gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender neighbours the way that we would want to be treated,” Persaud shared. (SASOD release)
