[www.inewsguyana.com] – Coinciding with International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) launched its Cine Campaign on Friday, May 16, aimed at eradicating discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Guyanese through film technology and social media.
In her opening remarks, SASOD’s Social Change Consultant, Tiffany Barry, highlighted that the date of May 17 was specifically chosen as it commemorates the 1990 decision by the World Health Organization to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
The global theme for this year’s observances is “Free Expression.”
SASOD has embraced this year’s theme and has launched a “Self(ie) Expression” album as its free expression zone on their Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/sasodguyana. Over the past week, SASOD has been encouraging persons to submit their photos with a statement tackling homophobia and transphobia.
According to the organization, the response has been overwhelming with more than 100 photos received from persons, and organizations both locally and abroad saying no to homophobia and transphobia and calling for LGBT equality in Guyana and around the world.
“These messages of hope and solidarity are a source of encouragement and inspiration to LGBT Guyanese and citizens who support equality and human rights for all people,” remarked SASOD Co-Chair, Ulelli Verbeke. Given the increasingly positive response, SASOD has extended this Facebook component of the campaign until May 26 to mark Guyana’s Independence.
Persons are encouraged to like the SASOD fan page on Facebook, tag their photos and statements there, or email them to [email protected].
The Cine Campaign film technology and social media in innovative and interactive ways to tackle homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination. The project will see 5 video documentaries produced by SASOD broadcast on local television in the month of June, and then on YouTube.
While the SASOD’s Cine Campaign is funded by the CVC/COIN PANCAP/CARICOM Global Fund Round 9 “Vulnerabilised Groups” Project, Friday’s IDAHOT launch event was sponsored by the Astraea Foundation for Lesbian Justice.
