Homosexuality in Guyana

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Guyana

Homosexuality isillegalin Guyana . The country is the only one in South America that still criminalizes homosexual acts.

Legal situation

Same-sex marriage and partnership laws in South America
  • Same-sex marriage
  • Registered partnership
  • No recognition
  • Constitutional prohibition of same-sex marriages
  • Homosexual acts illegal

    • While lesbian contacts are exempt from punishment, gay contacts in Guyana are punished under Section 352 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act as "gross fornication" by one man with another man, either publicly or privately, with a prison sentence of up to 2 years. The penalty for attempted anal intercourse is 10 years; for completed anal intercourse, a life sentence is possible according to §§ 353–354.

    Same-sex couples are not recognized by the state. Same-sex marriage and registered partnership are not legally allowed in Guyana . There is no anti-discrimination law to protect sexual orientation .

    Amnesty International has warned the country in its annual human rights reports, mainly because of the life imprisonment for gays and often their abuse by the state.

    However, Parliament is sticking to the law, but is also considering an anti-discrimination law, which should protect against discrimination based on sexual identity, among other things.

    In January 2001, Parliament unanimously approved an amendment to the Constitution that banned (partially) discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Efforts by religious leaders prior to the March 2001 election led President Jagdeo to withhold his approval. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in November 2010 that the former colonies in the Caribbean (including Guyana) still “have discriminatory laws and homophobic practices that prevent homosexual men from accessing health services” and called for these provisions to be lifted .

    The government announced in April 2012 that it would open consultations to repeal British colonial anti-homosexual laws and decriminalize homosexual acts. However, religious groups have already expressed their opposition to any changes in the law.

    Position of the churches on homosexuality, HIV and prevention

    There are numerous religions in the country, which, although often adopting opposing positions, agree on the persecution and suppression of homosexual lifestyles. At present there is no church or religious group in Guyana that supports gay or transgender rights . In an effort to preserve the Victorian laws from the 19th century, the Protestant churches (in contrast to Europe) have particularly negative attitudes towards homosexuality, which see it as an "unacceptable, unnatural sin". They are supported by representatives of Islam, which rejects homosexuality as a "sexual perversion". The Catholic Church in Guyana and the Hindu representatives are more open to some reform efforts, while most Protestants are against a constitutional change.

    Regarding HIV and AIDS , almost all representatives state how important compassion and support are for those infected, and apart from the Islamic representative Kerry Arthur ( Central Islamic Organization of Guyana ), who is in favor of Cuban-style isolation, they also want this in the grant them affiliated institutions. When asked about prevention , the various religious leaders again gave testimony of the possibilities of liberalization of the country and future reforms that can be expected of them. Bishop Randolph George ( Anglican Church in Guyana ) gave information in an interview in January 2006: “the church would not advocate the use of condoms as a form of protection from HIV. Should married persons want to use condoms it would be their decision, but ... the Anglican Church would not advocate condom use to young people. " (German: "The Church would not advocate the use of condoms as a form of protection against HIV. Should married people want to use condoms, be it their decision to use them, but ... the Anglican Church would not advocate the use of condoms by young people . ” ) For the representative of the Roman Catholic Church this does not go far enough. Bishop Francis Alleyne explained for the prevention of fornication or adultery never guessing the use of condoms ( "Nevertheless it will never advise the use of condoms at any time." )

    See also

    Web links

    Individual evidence

    1. ^ Society: Guyana's Hindus Face Gay Quandry: Where do we stand? , April 23, 2012
    2. ↑ SASOD: Where major religions here stand on homosexuality, condoms - 2006 , accessed April 23, 2012