Dimitrina Petrova

Executive Director of the London-based Equal Rights Trust, Dimitrina Petrova says that so far there is no solid proof that several Guyanese laws are anti-sexual orientation and this should be tested.

Speaking at a public forum organised by the non-governmental Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), she preferred to use words like “perceived” and “alleged” discriminatory laws.

“I have very strong reasons for not saying that…because the laws have not been tested,” Petrova told the forum held at Moray’s House, Quamina and Camp Streets, Georgetown.

The global rights activist recalled that several years ago, an organisation had successfully challenged India’s sodomy laws that the country had inherited from Britain. In the end, the High Court ruled that carnal knowledge against the order of nature is illegal. However, no crime is committed if is between two consenting adults.

Several homosexuals in 2010 challenged the constitutionality of cross-dressing laws after they had been arrested, charged and convicted for being males dressed as females. That case is pending.

SASOD also wants laws against the commission of acts of gross indecency between males, and buggery to be scrapped.

Apart from discrimination on the grounds of race and disability, the Equal Rights Trust official noted that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation appeared to be a major problem in Guyana.

“It appears from the analysis of the law that it appears in Guyana that there is a perception allegations that the law also discriminates against a certain category of people- against a people of certain sexual orientation,” she said.

The Pentecostal and Evangelical Christians have been very vocal against the repeal or amendment of those laws, saying that to do so would be to destroy the moral fabric of society. They insist that marriage and sexual relations should be between men and women and not persons of the same sex.

The Guyana government plans to hold nationwide consultations on the decriminalization of laws against sodomy and cross-dressing.

SASOD’s Vidyaratha Kissoon observed that Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders are being discriminated against acquiring house lots because the criteria specifies a family.