Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination
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The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) is a group of people who are committed to the removal of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, especially in Guyana and the Caribbean .
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[edit] History of SASOD
In 2001, Guyana's Parliament voted to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. President Jagdeo refused to assent to the Amendment Bill and dissolved Parliament soon after for the 2001 General Elections. In 2003, Parliament was scheduled to discuss the amendment again. SASOD was formed in 2003 and organised around advocacy against homophobia. There were two forums which were held in 2003 - one for the public, and another for the Members of the Parliament. In July of 2003, the amendment bill was proposed in parliament, but a procedural dilemma was recognised when the ruling Party said that it would not vote for the bill it was proposing. SASOD continued its advocacy work since 2004 and has embarked on various activities.
[edit] Criticisms of SASOD's work
The criticisms of SASOD's work comes from members of the Christian and Islamic communities. SASOD contends that the following parts of Guyana's legislation are discriminatory. SASOD also believes that the Sexual Offences Legislation should be updated to review the definition of rape and to impose the same penalties for homosexual rape.
Section 351, 352 and 353 of the Criminal Law Offences Act (8:01) states that
- 351. "Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or is a party to the commission, by any male person, of any act of gross indecency with any other male person shall be guilty of a misdemeanour's and liable to imprisonment for two years.
- 352. Everyone who:
- (a) attempts to commit buggery:; or
- (b) assaults any person with intent to commit buggery; or
- (c) being a male, indecently assaults any other male person, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for ten years.
- 353. Everyone who commits buggery, with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life".
Those who wish to have these laws remain often accuse SASOD of wanting to spread the HIV epidemic, and of supporting child sexual abuse and sometimes, bestiality.
[edit] Activities and Achievements
SASOD's advocacy and awareness activities include the writing of letters to various newspapers. SASOD has also organised two film festivals, a poetry night, and several film screenings at the Oasis Cafe and Sidewalk Cafe. SASOD has also collaborated with other Non Governmental organisations to endorse calls for good governance and for peace, especially during the elections period. SASOD also supported calls for the reform of sexual offences legislation to improve the recourse to justice of victims of rape. More recently, SASOD organised some fund-raising social events.
