SASOD Guyana Celebrates 21 Years with Launch of ‘Defiant Bodies’

In celebration of its establishment and accomplishments over more than two decades, SASOD Guyana Thursday marked its 21st anniversary with a significant book launch.

The organisation introduced “Defiant Bodies: Making Queer Community in the Anglophone Caribbean” by Dr. Nikoli A. Attai.

The book, “Defiant Bodies,” delves into queer politics across Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Toronto, offering a deep exploration of how transgender and gender nonconforming individuals forge communities amidst societal exclusion.

Dr. Attai, a distinguished scholar with a PhD in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Toronto, presented his work with a blend of scholarly rigour and personal passion.

“I’m keenly aware that our community continues to navigate hostility, violence, discrimination, and death,” remarked Dr. Attai, reflecting on the challenges outlined in his book.

“This work is meant to be shared in the spaces it is most needed.”

Dr. Preity R. Kumar, an Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island, praised Dr. Attai’s contribution during a Zoom call, highlighting his concept of “downlow genealogy” as pivotal in understanding community resilience and kinship formation among marginalised groups.

The book launch served as both a celebration of SASOD Guyana’s accomplishments and a call to action to continue advocating for the rights and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in the Anglophone Caribbean.

Joel Simpson, Managing Director of SASOD Guyana, shared the organisation’s milestones since its inception, emphasising their pivotal role in transforming societal attitudes.

“Our efforts, including landmark polls measuring public perceptions of LGBTQ+ individuals, have shown a significant decrease in negative attitudes over the years,” noted Simpson.