Ramotar has “no problem” with the Gay Community

By Tracey Khan – Drakes

[www.inewsguyana.com] – President Donald Ramotar today made it clear that he has “no problems” with the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual & Transgender (LGBT) community in Guyana.

He told reporters at a press conference at State House, Georgetown that his duty is to ensure they are not discriminated against in accessing Government services.

“I am against any form of discrimination as far as jobs etc is concerned in our society….I have to protect them and ensure that they are not discriminated against as far as Government services are concerned,” the President said.

The Head of State noted that Guyana’s readiness for this type of lifestyle also has to be taken into consideration as they seek to find a way forward on the matter, noting that he “has to also be conscious and sensitive to the feelings and views of a lot of other sections of the people in our country….you don’t want to talk about democracy and only take into consideration one set of people.”

The President also promised to look at the context more keenly in which Junior Finance Minister Bishop Juan Edghill spoke regarding the LGBT Community.

“I know sometime the media can take things out of context I don’t know in what context they took him in, I will look at that”.

The Gay community lashed out at Edghill’s comments which it deemed as a “hate speech” against the community.

This led the LGBT community and the local gay advocacy group SASOD to call for the Bishop’s resignation.

Edghill described homosexuality as destructive, unwholesome and unhealthy and says it should not be tolerated in the Guyanese society during a radio programme on 90.1 Love FM.

In response to calls for his resignation, Edghillmade it clear that he will not be “bullied, intimidated or silenced in any form or fashion by anyone, organization or agenda.”

The saga begun when Pastor Ronald McGarrell said homosexuals should live on an island by themselves. This view was supported by Edghill.