The Guyana Rainbow Foundation
(GuyBow) held a symposium ‘LGBTIQ
Family Life Matters’
on 30 May, 2018 at the Herdmanston Lodge. The symposium was held as
part of the Guyana Pride Festival 2018 celebrations, primarily funded
by C.o.C Netherlands.
Colleen Mc
Ewan, chair of GuyBow, explained that GuyBow held a pre-Mother’s
Day event in the National Park for LBQ women and their families. The
event was successful but at the same time GuyBow recognized that many
families discriminate against family members because of their sexual
orientation and gender identity. Colleen spoke about the love and
support that has received over the years from the majority of her
relatives and extend gratitude to them for treating her and the
family she created with humanity. She said that those who are still
challenged by her sexuality are in the minority but have mostly
respectful.
The gathering included LGBTIQ
families, and relatives of LGBTIQ people.
“My family is a work in
progress” said Lawrence. “I do not believe that anyone should
dictate my happiness, and I am thankful for my LGBTIQ family.” JJ
stated that family are often very loving and respectful until that
moment when they discover our Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity.
I mostly enjoy the support of my immediate family now but it was not
an easy road.
A woman, in the audience
shared “My brother is gay, and I saw how my family treated him. I
did not want to experience that shame. I believed that ‘what
you don’t know can’t kill you.’
I kept everything to myself but recently, as I get older, I said to
hell with everyone, I have to live my life” A transwoman, Lashaun
said “My family is okay with me, except for my father...but he
doesn’t matter. I am sorry for those who are having the struggle”
“With much difficulty,
Lawrence also told the audience, ‘I confided in the sister I loved
and thought I was close to, but she told everyone and took everything
away”. “Almost in tears, he went on to say that, I am waiting 19
years to see my children since they were taken away from me. Another
patron encouraged him “Don’t give up; you have a purpose. My twin
sister spat on me but now she is in contact. My teenage daughter
loves me, she knows me as her gay dad”
“Every family has at least
one member who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer,” said
Sherlina Nageer; “we are everywhere; we need to have more
conversations to start getting rid of the fear, and to understand
what the older generation fears.” She believes that there is hope
and positive things to be hopeful for pointing out to the young
LGBTIQ people in the room who are starting a family of their own.
A relative of a lesbian
commented that she and the family accepted, not only their relative
but also the couple and their adopted children. She said when she was
younger, and with the lack education she would criticize (LGBT)
people, but with education and television she became more aware; you
understand and have more respect for LGBTIQ family members and
people, she noted “And when you see these beautiful children they
(lesbian couple) have raised, then you know how wonderful they are as
parents.”
“I pray for my parents, they
don’t accept me because of their religion” said a teacher. He
encouraged all the persons present that “It doesn’t matter who
loves you or who doesn’t love you, if you love yourself you can go
through it.” He reiterated the importance of the Health and Family
Life Education (HFLE) curriculum in schools to facilitate the skills
for children to build self-esteem and for children to cope with
difficult life situations. In responding to the question that was
asked by another participant/moderator “what we do while waiting
for our families to accept us?” the teacher said to “find your
purpose in life, further studies, do things while waiting and
find your purpose.”
The Guyana RainBow Foundation
(GuyBow) has the capacity to support families who are struggling to
demonstrate love and humanity to their LGBTIQ relatives and
encourages them to contact the organization for information and
guidance.
END
Further information for journalists:-
-
The CADRES Survey “Attitudes towards homosexuals in Guyana” concluded that 24% of Guyanese people believe they have a gay family member. 50% of the respondents said they would accept a homosexual family member. http://caribbeanirn.blogspot.com/2013/07/survey-report-attitudes-towards.html
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The report “Collateral Damage: The Social Impact of Laws affecting LGBT in Guyana” by Christopher Carrico describes some of the consequences of the fears of LGBT in coming out to their families and friends. http://www.u-rap.org/web2/index.php/2015-09-29-01-14-11/u-rap-reports/item/54-carrico-collateral-damage-the-social-impact-of-laws-affecting-lgbt-persons-in-guyana
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