GTU, SASOD observe Transgender Visibility Day with public transport consultation

In observance of International Transgender Day of Visibility, which was observed on March 31, the Guyana Trans United (GTU) and Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) in collaboration with the Public Infrastructure Ministry hosted a Stakeholder Consultation on Violence and Discrimination in Access to Public Transportation for LGBTQ+ Persons at Fort Street Kingston.
The aim of the consultation was to share information, facilitate dialogue and formulate solutions with regards to the standard of respect and treatment required for all persons utilising public transportation.
The meeting discussed the effects of anti-LGBTQ discrimination in accessing public transportation and regulations and solutions aimed at preventing and punishing violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ persons seeking to utilise public transportation services.
Participating in the stakeholders’ consultation were representatives from the United Minibus Union, Public Infrastructure Ministry, Business Ministry, Guyana Police Force, UNAIDS, USAID Advancing Partners and Communities Project, GTU and SASOD Guyana.
In brief opening remarks, Managing Director of SASOD Guyana, Joel Simpson noted that the goal of the consultation was to find collective solutions to prevent the violence and discrimination some LGBTQ+ persons, especially transgender persons, suffer when using public transportation.
SASOD Guyana’s Human Rights Coordinator, Valini Leitch, pointed out the difficulties some LGBTQ+ persons encounter in accessing public transportation. This, she said, subsequently affects persons’ ability to access healthcare and basic needs and has been an ongoing problem, especially for transgender persons who face the brunt of the abuses simply because of their visibility.
On this note, Simpson emphasised that every citizen should be able to access public transportation without fear of violence or discrimination. The problem, he said, is not just limited to minibuses, but cuts across the local transportation sector, including taxis and speed boats. He also noted the limitations that LGBTQ persons encounter in accessing justice while also pointing out that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) struck down Guyana’s law against cross-dressing in November of last year.
The Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Linden Isles explained that the law is clear on the obligation to carry passengers. He recognised that cases of discrimination do occur and pointed out the importance of reporting swiftly to the police and giving a clear and detailed statement to the police when these infringements occur.
Director of Consumer Affairs at the Business Ministry, Muriel Tinnis-Duke noted that the recently released Code of Conduct for Minibus Operators was prepared with the prevention of all forms of discrimination in mind.
Recognising gender as a prohibited category of discrimination in the code of conduct, Simpson noted that “sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression” needs to be expressly included in the list of grounds in the code’s non-discrimination provision. He expressed the need for broader consultations on future iterations of the document.
Planning Officer at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Central Transport Planning Unit, Clive Williams related that his Ministry was in full agreement that persons should not suffer any discrimination in accessing public transportation.
He emphasised the need to engage transportation bodies to have sensitisation sessions. In closing, Simpson acknowledged the role of education going forward and expressed interest in further collaborations and bilateral meetings with the other stakeholders at the meeting. He also noted the need for GTU and SASOD Guyana to undertake community education so that LGBTQ+ persons can be informed of their role in the process.