Guyana seeks public opinion on death penalty, laws that target gays, lesbians

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Guyana is launching a national debate on whether to eliminate its death penalty and overhaul laws that discriminate against gays, lesbians and transgender people.

Town-hall-style meetings will be held across the socially conservative South American country as part of a promise that Guyana made to the United Nations Human Rights Council. The government plans to analyze public opinion before deciding whether it will submit any bills to revise current laws.

“Government has no line or position on the gay rights issue,” Presidential Adviser Gail Teixeira told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “We will hold the consultations, and if the recommendation is to change the laws, then that will be taken into consideration.”

The death penalty is common across the Caribbean, as are laws against cross-dressing and gay sex.

The government said officials also plan to meet with leaders from Christian, Hindu and Islamic communities who represent Guyana’s most prominent religions. Many religious leaders in the country oppose legalization of homosexuality.

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Sources: The Washington Post, AP, April 4, 2012