A recent stroll into my archive took me back to Guyana 2018 and the powerful trans-women of Guyana Trans United. These stills were taken during the shooting of the documentary ‘A Blossom Pink World’ I directed and shot along with @zanededlow – an assignment for Frontline Aids, NGO, about the struggles and successes of the trans community in the Guyanese capital Georgetown. Jason Florio – photographer & filmmaker
Activists share their experiences, hopes and aspirations as they challenge the legal framework that has led to transgender people not accessing the health services that they are entitled to, and need.
Guyana Trans United’s ground-breaking campaign to repeal British colonial ‘Buggery Laws’ has found support from high-profile government officials. They share their experiences, hopes and aspirations as they challenge the legal framework that has led to Trans people not accessing the health services that they are entitled to, and need. Guyana Trans United received a grant from the Rapid Response Fund, which is managed by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation. FrontlineAids/Youtube
GENDER EQUALITY We’re on the frontline of the pursuit for gender equality, supporting people to exercise their right to access vital HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights services.FrontlineAids
Huge thank you, Trans Pride Brighton, My Genderation and FrontlineAids, and – most importantly – everyone at Guyana Trans United for sharing their world with us. And, last but not least, thanks to Helen Jones-Florio, for hours of transcribing the interviews! JF
Transgender activists in video: A blossom pink world
Transgender Guyana – Guyana Trans United’s ground-breaking campaign to repeal British colonial ‘buggery laws’ has found support from high-profile government officials.
Activists share their experiences, hopes, and aspirations as they challenge the legal framework that has led to transgender people not accessing the health services that they are entitled to, and need… read more HIV/AIDS Alliance.
“My name is Chantelle, but now I mostly like to use Lorraine. After my mother died I kind of love hearing her name. Every time someone calls me Lorraine I always remember her.” HIV/AIDS Alliance.
When Lazayne goes to work selling sex in Georgetown, Guyana, she knows other young transgender women have been killed doing the same.
It’s not just at work she confronts risks: “I face stigma in health services, on public transport, literally walking down the street in public, but it’s normal, I’m accustomed to it now.” HIV/AIDS Alliance.
More news of further travels for HIV/AIDS Alliance, in South Africa, coming soon