We belong: Hindu activists meet “Guyana’s international treaty obligations en- at the Organization of American compassing civil and political rights enjoin SOCIETY States, in a search for equality the government not to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation.” A second opportunity to pass the law used mostly religious arguments; therefore, came in May, 2003, when the constitution the numbers of the country’s faithful play was undergoing other reforms. The amend- a decisive role. Guyana’s population is 57% ment bill reached the Parliament, but there Christian (17% Pentecostal, 8% Roman Cath- was no vote; the National Assembly deferred olic, 7% Anglican, 25% other denominations), the discussion to a constitutional committee, 28% Hindu and 9% Sunni Muslim. effectively placing it in a legal limbo. Most Protestants opposed the constitu- tional change, while the Catholic Church National Pride officially supported it. Muslim groups were In truth, more was at play than just the mostly either silent or against the pro- rights of a class of people. National pride posal. Hindus remained largely neutral or became a complicating issue when some undecided. people started saying that acceptance of ho- Several religious organizations, mostly of mosexuality was a Western imposition on Abrahamic faiths, took a dual stance. While Guyana. Just last year, in 2010, this idea was admitting that people have diverse sexual summarized by Cabinet spokesperson and orientations, they expressed concern that head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger the anti-discrimination amendment would Luncheon: the “government is unlikely to eventually lead to the legalization of same- tamper with legislating homosexual activity sex marriage, a prospect they abhor. Sup- and cross-dressing. For these issues to be ad- porters of the amendment tried to assuage dressed, the government must be convinced those fears, pointing out that the proposed that it would be the desire of the people of law preserves the constitutional definition Guyana and not an agenda being foisted on of marriage and family laws. The amend- society by the developed world.” ment did include a provision to recognize Also in 2010, Guyana participated in the a common-law relationship, a step below United Nations’ Periodic Review of Human marriage, for both heterosexual and homo- Rights, which resulted in recommendations sexual couples. that the government repeal all laws which Hindu institutions were almost absent criminalize consensual same-sex activity. from the 2001 debate, except for a joint Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, statement issued by a few organizations—the speaking in November, 2010, said that Guy- Guyana Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Guy- ana’s “discriminatory laws and prevailing ana Maha Kali Organisation, Gandhi Youth homophobic practices prevent gay men from Bhavan and the Guyana Sevashram Sangh— accessing the health services” and called for stating that “sexual intercourse, an image the repeal of those laws. But as of January, of God’s own power of creation, should be 2011, those colonial-era discriminatory laws practiced only within the context of mar- remain still in full force. nigel maithlin riage between members of the opposite sex.” It said nothing about legal discrimination. Hindu Perspectives itself repealed such legislation in 1967, but Individual Hindus made more pertinent Guyana is a religiously plural and tolerant most former colonies retained these Victo- statements. Mr. Vidyanand Persaud, the country. Freedom of worship is a constitu- Guyana’s Hindus Face Gay Quandry rian laws. It was only in 2009, for instance, representative for Hindu organizations on tional right, and each of the main groups has that India’s Supreme Court ruled that its the Constitution Reform Commission, sup- its national holiday: Christmas, Diwali and When a constitutional amendment proposed to end discrimination against anti-gay laws were unconstitutional. ported the motion, reminding others that the last day of Ramadan. Guyana’s proposed 2001 constitutional homosexuals, Guyanese Hindus asked themselves, “Where do we stand?” amendment would not have repealed Guy- ana’s laws that make homosexual activity a Caribbean Sea felony. But it would have, for example, pro- By Vidyaratha Kissoon The beautiful republic of Guyana, nestled this process. Revisions and amendments to tected an employee from being fired simply Georgetown, Guyana on the lush northeastern coast of South the constitution are relatively common. because he or she is homosexual. Despite f modern science is right—and some- America, is a young nation solidifying its In January, 2001, the Congress of Guyana its modest goal, the anti-discrimination times it is—there are more than 50 mil- identity. After being ruled by the Dutch, the voted to pass a constitutional amendment amendment has been languishing for a Venezuela lion homosexual and bisexual people in Spanish and finally the British, the country that would forbid discrimination based on decade. Guyana India,I 15 million in the US and 30,000 achieved independence in 1966, becom- sexual orientation. However, this amend- in Guyana. The role, aspirations and rights ing the only South American state in the ment never became law; the president, Opposition and Another Chance of this large segment of society (and, in the Commonwealth. Bharrat Jagdeo (a Hindu), succumbed to in- The debate is complicated by the country’s minds of some, their wrongs) is a hot topic Guyana’s ethnic heritage is varied—mostly tense pressure and did not sign it. This left many cultures and religions and their varied throughout this tropical nation. Guyanese Indian and African, but also Native Ameri- in place legislation which is a legacy of the views on morality and justice. Who was ada- Hindus, nearly one third of the population, can, European and Chinese. It is a nation of British colonial period—legislation which mantly opposed to ending discrimination in are pondering: is there a unifying Hindu many peoples and traditions finding their criminalizes consensual same-sex activ- Guyana? Large groups are not homogeneous, Brazil view on homosexuality? way toward harmony, and its laws reflect ity and cross-dressing. The United Kingdom of course. But those against the amendment google maps 60 hinduism today april/may/june, 2011 april/may/june, 2011 hinduism today 61 Hindu organizations are strong Pandits, priests and sevaks: possibilities. Therefore, the stridency with Hindu presence: The and numerous, some of them dat- (clockwise from top right) which the Inter-Religious Organisation has distinctively Indian ar- ing back to the early 20th century: Amar Ramessar, president of expressed its anti-homosexual sentiments chitecture of Guyanese Arya Samaj, Guyana Sevashram the Yuvaa Shakti Sangh; Pandit cannot be shared by Hindus.” (Read his Op- temples is a common sight Sangh (a branch of the Bharat Deodat Tillack, priest at the Ed on page 64.) Sevashram Sangh), Sathya Sai Shri Samayapuran Mariamma Baba association, Guyana Hindu Temple; Pandit Rajin Bal- Impacting Personal Lives a woman?” Dharmic Sabha, Guyana Maha gobind of the Hindu Society The lives of tens of thousands are deeply af- The criminalization of their Kali Organisation, Guyana Pandits’ of Berbice; Keeran Persaud, fected by these discussions. For Guyanese actions is a heavy burden on Council, Guyana Sanatan Dharma president of the Cummings who are gay or lesbian, the reactions of so- homosexuals in Guyana. Many Maha Sabha and the Gandhi Lodge Industry Hindu Society ciety define their self-image and influence of them have otherwise con- Youth Bhavan. Beautiful mandirs their comfort with who they are. The old, servative ideas about family adorn cities and villages, serving colonial-era laws impose an onerous choice: and relationships, aspiring to as centers for worship and seva, kissoon vidyaratha kissoon vidyaratha normal sex is not right. Since ho- in order to be a law-abiding citizen in Guy- monogamous long-term com- selfless service. Hindu festivals mosexual sexual intercourse does ana, a homosexual must observe lifelong cel- mitments and living together. are widely celebrated. not bring forth children it should ibacy. The alternative is to willfully violate Pushed to the shadows, most But community debate has un- not be permitted.” Pandit Dhane- the laws of the land and risk being arrested seek their happiness in secret, covered a simple truth: there is no sar was not able to provide a ref- and charged with a felony. hoping to avoid legal conse- unified policy in Hinduism about erence explaining where in the Religion, ethnicity and social traditions quences through leniency, ano- homosexuality. In general, the Vedas one could find that dictum; strongly shape the identity of each Guyanese. nymity or luck. kissoon vidyaratha matter is ruled by common sense, he explained that a pandit’s train- Religious people who are homosexual wish wisdom and tradition. But tradi- ing is largely oral, often bypassing to retain their religious ties. But even if a ho- Outcome Hindu Mandir, in a letter published in the tion can be a fluid concept, widely written sources. mosexual person feels comfortable with his There is no consensus yet in the Hindu com- Stabroek News in May, 2008, reminded Hin- dependent on regional practices The Inter-Religious Organisa- or her faith, the acceptance of society still munity, but the strongest voices supporting dus that the exhortation of Lord Rama in the and collective memory; it shifts tion, an interfaith body that rep- plays a large role. One of the gay men inter- the anti-discrimination law have come from Shri Ramcharitmanas Uttarkand Doha 87 from generation to generation. resents some of Guyana’s religious viewed recognizes that the Hindu religion Hindus. Swamis, pandits and local leaders included the napumsak as part of His cre- One example is the strong influ- balgobind pandit courtesy tillack pandit courtesy organizations, spoke against the advocates tolerance, but he dares not test it are finding common ground—not in sup- ation.