Guyana: Pride in Guyana: A Call for Legislative Change, Says Joel Simpson

Joel Simpson, the founder of SASOD Guyana, has articulated that Pride in Guyana transcends mere celebration and is fundamentally a protest. He notes that while there has been an increase in social acceptance of LGBTQIA individuals in the country, the legal framework and institutional support have not evolved correspondingly. Simpson stated, “At this juncture in our movement, Pride is a protest for LGBTQIA people in Guyana.” He emphasized the ongoing advocacy for the repeal of laws that criminalize same-sex intimacy, which he believes should be addressed by 2026.

Despite the progress made, including Guyana becoming the first nation in the English-speaking Caribbean to host a public Pride parade, Simpson expressed concern over the slow pace of legal and policy changes. He highlighted the importance of initiatives like the Guyana Together campaign, which has garnered support from parents, relatives, allies, and civil society advocating for equality and necessary law reforms.

Simpson pointed out that the existing gap between social acceptance and legal recognition is significant, stating, “We still are not seeing the institutional change, the legal change, the systemic change, the policy change, to match the social change that we’re experiencing.” He argued that this disparity is why Pride should not be viewed solely as a celebration.

He identified two critical areas for legislative reform: the repeal of Sections 351 to 353 of the Criminal Law Offences Act, which criminalize same-sex intimacy, and the amendment of the Prevention of Discrimination Act of 1997 to include protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Simpson noted that SASOD Guyana has been advocating for these changes for over a decade, emphasizing the need for urgent action.

While acknowledging the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration’s commitment to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation in its manifesto, Simpson urged that these changes should not be postponed. He expressed a desire for the reforms to be completed before the end of 2026, asserting that Guyana’s laws should reflect the growing acceptance within society.

Source: hgptv.com