Positive attitude towards LGBTQ+ community can boost economic activities, tourism – THAG Head

A positive attitude from the local population towards the LGBTQ+ community can translate to a boost in economic activities, according to President of the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Harrinand Persaud.

Weighing in on the findings of a recent survey which found a greater level of acceptance of the queer community among Guyanese, the tourism advocate believes this is an achievement that needs to be examined and acted upon in a holistic way.
During an interview with this publication, he indicated that stakeholders can capitalise on this development and push to promote Guyana as an LGBTQ+ safe and friendly environment to visit and even seek employment.
“With the new oil industry, we know that we are attracting a lot of different persons to come here. We have to be open to what they’re accustomed to in their own country. They want to feel welcomed, knowing they can come here and not be discriminated against,” Persaud explained.
According to him, this must be the position in terms of LGBTQ+ persons coming here for vacation and to work. He said tourism operators such as hotels and restaurants must adopt policies that do not discriminate against such persons utilising their services.
“From a tourism standpoint, we want Guyana to be known as open and accepted [towards LGBTQ+ persons],” the THAG President noted. And he admitted that umbrella bodies like THAG have an important role to play.
“Within our tourism body, we need to be more supportive as a group first of all and then let it [trickle down] to all the members. Let them be aware that we need to make a more conscious effort to be more accepted…whether its employees or guests, the same rule should apply,” he noted.
Major support is also needed from Government, he explained, especially as it relates to national policies and even law.
“There is no reason why Guyana should be left behind,” Persaud remarked when asked about eliminating laws that discriminate based on sexual orientation.
“For THAG, we see it being positive for tourism. People must feel they can come here as a couple, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity, and not think that this destination will not accept them. A lot of the laws are very outdated. This particular Government is open to change. They’re not stuck in time. I’m very confident that things will change,” he added.
Like most issues, Persaud contended that change cannot be driven by one entity alone and encouraged all stakeholders to get on board.
“THAG is part of the Private Sector Commission and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We all need to come together to have a policy. Let it be clear-cut that we see these persons for the value they bring, we respect their decisions, and we ensure that they are given the same equal opportunities and chances as everyone else. We have to set up some more policies within the work arena to make sure everyone is treated equally.”
Commissioned by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and conducted by RMK Consulting Enterprise, a poll titled “A Study of Perceptions and Attitudes towards LGBT Persons in Guyana” found that an increase in positive attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ population.
This year’s national poll was conducted almost a decade after the first-ever public opinion poll on LGBT people and issues was done by the Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES) in 2013.
According to results from the 2022 poll, LGBTQ+ acceptance in Guyana has soared since then, moving from 19 per cent to 34.5 per cent with an overall percentage of 72.4 per cent of respondents stating that they accept and tolerate LGBT persons.
It was also noted that hatred of LGBTQ+ people decreased by 50 per cent, from 25 per cent in 2013 to 12 per cent in 2022.
Other key results include that nearly a majority of Guyanese believe the Government should prioritise legally protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people, with 49.6 per cent of respondents replying positively that it should be a priority for the Government to prioritise legally protecting LGBTQ+ people.
Further, the poll found that a clear majority of 53.9 per cent of the Guyanese population are likely to support the elimination of the law criminalising sex between men.
The results also showed that 72 per cent of the population were likely to support legislation that ensures protection against workplace discrimination for LGBTQ+ people in Guyana.
A total of 1070 respondents were interviewed in person between June 18 and July 11, 2022 for the study.
For over 19 years, SASOD Guyana has been at the forefront of calls to repeal the laws which criminalise same-sex intimacy and disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ people, leading to increased levels of discrimination in all areas of their lives. (G11)