The Guyana LGBTQ+ Coalition today officially launched its calendar of events for this year’s Pride celebration. According to the founder of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Joel Simpson, with one new addition to the calendar, there is expected to be a much larger turn out for the annual Pride Parade.
The annual event has evolved over the years with the observance seeing a hiatus back in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. However, since its return last year, Pride has become a staple in Guyana for the LGBTQ+ community. According to Simpson, the events on the calendar are part of a mechanism to promote love and unity.
At the launch today, Simpson said, “The Guyana Pride Festival had its inaugural launch in 2017 and has gathered significant attention and public support over the years. The festival features several events, where LGBTQ+ people and their supporters, participate to raise awareness of the struggles and resilience of the community here and in the region.”
He noted too that the festival will begin on June 1 and will run until June 11. During that period, there will be a number of events hosted according to Simpson, including the Annual Pride Party, Interfaith Service, forums for discussion and a new addition, a “rainbow paintball” competition, to be hosted at the Police Sports Ground June 4.
With SASOD celebrating 20 years of service to the community, A Pride Symposium is also planned for June 7. The Annual Pride Parade will be held on June 10.
Simpson opined that despite the organizers’ concerns about the weather, more than 500 people are expected to take to the streets at the Parade. He noted that in the past, the weather has not stopped the event. “The 2023 festival is being held under the theme; ‘Decriminalize Sex Guyana’. The theme draws attention to the stain that Guyana is now part of a minority of six countries that still criminalize same sex intimacy. These laws are a relic of British Colonialism…” Simpson said.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner, Sarah Ann Lynch said LBGTQ rights are humans rights, adding that the UK stands committed to ensuring that the rights of the gay community are respected. She said, “The UK will continue to work with partners to promote tolerance, non-discrimination and changes in policy and guidelines. And to also fight against misinformation, violence and Discrimination.”
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Americans.
In June 1969, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City staged an uprising to resist the police harassment and persecution to which LGBT Americans were commonly subjected. This uprising marked the beginning of a movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against the LGBT community.
