International Mechanism Submissions

The Co-operative Republic of Guyana (“Guyana”) has no law that prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, and as a result lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other sexual or gender minorities (LGBT+) people experience stigmatization and discrimination with little available redress.

The Government of Guyana retains colonial era laws criminalizing consensual same-sex activities, that, although not enforced, lead to stigmatization, discrimination, and violence against those in the LGBT+ community.

A constitutional reform committee exists to consult with the Guyanese people regarding changes to Guyana’s constitution, which could include expanding a constitutional anti-discrimination provision to include discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. This change would require majority approval of Guyana’s Parliament and the Guyanese citizens who vote.