Canada to provide funding for local NGO to support LGBTQ rights

Canada will be providing funding to local non-governmental organisation (NGO) EQUAL Guyana to promote the rights of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) persons; an initiative lauded by Minister of Governance Gail Teixeira, who also hailed the growing civil society presence in the fight for human rights.
EQUAL, which is an acronym for Empowering Queers Using Artistic Learning, is an NGO that was formed back in 2019. The partnership will see the Canadian Government providing funding to EQUAL to support LGBTQ rights.
Minister Teixeira, who gave the feature address at the signing ceremony marking the partnership between local NGO EQUAL and the Canadian High Commission in Guyana, spoke about the important role civil society plays in the fight for human rights. The Minister recalled a time when there were no such organisations in Guyana and lauded their bravery in stepping forth.
“The Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives, I’ve known about it for a long time and I’ve done it’s done a lot of work with smaller organisations, NGO’s and communities over the many years. Socio economic activities. So, I’m very pleased that this particular agreement and project will involve the issue of LGBTQ rights in Guyana.”

“And I’m very happy that we’ve seen the growth of civil society organisations in Guyana, dealing with the rights of persons that are LGBTQ. Years ago, there was no organisation. And it was a taboo. And then of course there was one organisation now that has spread into many organisations. So, it’s a very important expression of persons being willing to step out and associate with the rights of persons that are LGBTQ.”
Teixeira admitted that Guyana has a long way to go, having not made the changes that a number of other countries have adopted. However, she expressed the hope that engagement, empowerment and education will prove to be critical tools in bringing about the necessary changes.
Meanwhile, High Commissioner Mark Berman lauded the Government for the efforts it has been making so far. According to him, Canada is ready to provide whatever support is needed in ending discrimination.

“Changing perceptions is never easy but the key to success. Canada remains committed to working in solidarity with other governments and organisations towards the goal of ending discrimination and violence against LGBTQ persons.”
“On this May 17, as we recall the fact that countless LGBTQ persons across the globe continue to face persecution simply for being who they are, Canada affirms the human rights principles are universal and indivisible,” Berman said.
The agreement being signed will see Canada through its Fund for Local Initiatives providing funding for the organisation. This is something Canada does in more than 120 other countries for small scale, high impact projects.
Anil Persaud, the Managing Director of EQUAL, spoke of some of the things the NGO will set out to do with the funding. One of the key things the funding will be used for, is to provide free counselling and therapy services to as many persons as resources and time allow.
“Our new project will be, among other things, providing more education to groups from different key sectors, building more conflict resolution and peace building skills among youths, exploring public education campaigns to provoke thought and dialogues, promoting the arts as key to LGBTQ and human rights and preservation of cultures which rely heavily on the arts,” Persaud said.