PRESS RELEASE - SASOD’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and Concert: Nhojj & Friends on Stage

SASOD’s 10^th Anniversary Celebration and Concert: Nhojj & Friends on Stage

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) hosted a press conference today, June 7, 2013 to promote its 10th anniversary celebration and concert called “SASOD at 10: Nhojj & Friends on Stage,” which will be held at the Side Walk Café, Middle Street, Georgetown, tonight at 8:00pm.

According to SASOD’s Co-Chair, Joel Simpson, tonight’s event will feature award-winning Guyanese artiste, Nhojj, who is also a member and long-time supporter of SASOD. This will also include performances from local Guyanese artistes including, Natasha Yhapp, Keimo Benjamin, Lloyda Nicholas, Isaiah Luther, Maria Rosheuvel, Anthony Stayman and Francis Bailey.

Following the concert, SASOD will be unveiling a series of events to continue its month long anniversary celebration. At their “Painting the Spectrum” 9^th annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Film Festival on June 9, 2013, the organisation will be screening this year’s feature film, which is a documentary called “You Are Not Alone,” which deals with the issue of depression in black gay men. This will be followed by a panel discussion with Guyanese producer, Antoine Craigwell, Nhojj who wrote and sang the documentary’s theme song, psychologist Dr. Faith Harding and others.

SASOD will also re-screen its 2011 documentary, “My Wardrobe, My Right,” whose producer is Neil Marks, this Sunday. This documentary addresses the implications of cross-dressing in Guyana, and according to Joel Simpson, the timing is opportune as it coincides with the current constitutional case involving Quincy McEwan, Seon Clarke, Joseph Fraser, Seyon Persaud and SASOD v. Attorney General in which four persons were arrested for violating section 153 (1) (xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act. This law makes it a criminal offence for men to wear female attire and for women to wear male attire “in any public way or public place, for any improper purpose.” The Honourable Chief Justice, Ian Chang, during final proceedings on June 4, 2013 said that he will provide a date in which his decision will be announced in court.

On June 24, 2013, SASOD will also be hosting a Photo Exhibition and Appreciation Awards Ceremony at Moray House Trust, Camp and Quamina Streets in Georgetown. On the same day, they will be releasing their 2^nd edition newsletter, Spectrum Vibes, as well as launching a documentary called “SASOD at 10” which is produced by Gordon Moseley, and assistant producer, Alana Da Silva.

The press conference was hosted by SASOD Co-Chair, Namela Baynes-Rowe. Admission for tonight’s event is free, and the public is encouraged to attend “SASOD at 10: Nhojj & Friends on Stage” – which is bound to be a memorable experience.

Left to Right: Guyanese artiste, Nhojj, SASOD Co-Chairs, Namela Baynes-Rowe and Joel Simpson

Guyanese artiste, Nhojj