Guyana will not hold a referendum to decriminalise sodomy

Guyana, one of the former colonies like us that has been saddled with an age old 485 year old legislation of the United Kingdom under colonialism will not hold a referendum to give voters the choice to decriminalise homosexuality – despite media organisations claiming the opposite.

The news published by several Guyanese local media organisations was a result of a misunderstanding of the government’s official position on the matter.

The government had responded to a submission made by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), its managing director Joe Simpson told PinkNews.

head of SASOD Joel Simpson earlier this year in the crossdressing court case, see: Trans woman barred from entering Georgetown Magistrate’s Court .... and Previously denied transgender claimant in Guyanese court case allowed in court

SASOD called for government action on youth LGBT discrimination with special regard to the fields of education, bullying, employment sexual and mental health.

It put forward its petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) following the 161st Ordinary Period of Session addressing young people’s rights.

The government’s response stated: “The issue of repeal was brought to the attention of the legislative arm of government on several occasions and it was deemed unfit for the legislature to decide on the matter.

“As such, it was recommended that the matter be taken to a vote, where the people of Guyana will decide by a referendum on these matters.”

SASOD sent this statement to several local media organisations who reported that the government would run a referendum in which the public would have had the chance to decide to decriminalise homosexuality (sodomy)

In 2016, Granger said: “I am prepared to respect the rights of any adult to indulge in any practice which is not harmful to others.”

However, his government has been criticised by the SASOD for not having implemented any changes.

Joel Simpson, SASOD managing director told Stabroek News: “I am glad the government remembers and they should be reminded that they haven’t delivered [their promises] two years later.”

In 2012, Guyana’s parliament set up a special select committee to hold consultations on a number of human rights issues.

However, the committee’s life was cut short before it could examine the country’s anti-gay laws when then President Ramotar prorogued parliament in December 2014 and held early elections in May 2015.

Meanwhile here in Jamaica the referendum on buggery has become a dangling political carrot used by the Jamaica Labour Party now in office to sure up support, especially from the religious right who makes the rest of a oh too quiet church collective.

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