Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), announced the party’s commitment to support legislation aimed at eliminating discrimination against members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community. He emphasized that no Guyanese should be denied service or opportunities based on their identity.
At a press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo clarified that while the PPP/C will advocate for anti-discrimination laws, it will not support the legalization of gay marriages. “We’re going to support any legislation to prevent discrimination. We don’t want any discrimination against our people for education, health, or jobs,” he stated.
This commitment will likely be featured in the party’s upcoming manifesto, which is set to be released in the coming weeks. Jagdeo noted that many of the party’s plans and promises have already been disclosed.
Additionally, Jagdeo revealed recent engagement with the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), which has launched a LGBTQIA+ Manifesto 2025. This manifesto includes key measures such as constitutional reform, healthcare, education and training, protection against sexual and gender-based violence, and the establishment of shelters for safety.
For years, SASOD has advocated for amendments to the 1997 Prevention of Discrimination Act to explicitly include protections for queer individuals facing workplace discrimination. While the current Act prohibits discrimination based on various factors such as race, sex, and religion, it does not include sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. SASOD continues to push for these essential protections.
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