Image of Pride Parade in Georgetown, Guyana; June 2019 by Ron Wilson

This June, Photographers Without Borders celebrates Pride month focusing on the individuals and groups doing pivotal work for their communities. 2022 has seen a return to in-person activities, especially large-scale outdoor events such as parades and festivals.

Led by its courageous Founder and Director Joel Simpson, SASOD will be running their fourth in-person Pride festival, the first in-person in three years. The 2019 festival took place in the capital of Georgetown’s landmark Independence Park. Besides the festival, there are several events taking place that coincide with the main attraction. This year’s festivities include a plethora of events such as the return of the Virtual Inter-Faith Forum, along with the Drag fest, Games night, Tea Party & Hat show.

Learn more about SASOD

Image of the Georgetown, Guayana Pride Parade in June 2019 by Ron Wilson

The catchphrase for the festival is “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights” which falls in line with the declarative stance of the political work being done within the country and abroad. Pride has always been an event to bring liberation, and it is certainly political. These are matters that are worthy of risking one’s life for, a defiance, a boldness this community possesses. The parades are full of energy with festival-goers dancing to their favourite Pride tunes. The event also includes international dignitaries from across the globe.

Through the work of educating those in positions of power, SASOD is leading the way to create positive change throughout the country of Guyana. While the fight continues for law reform on LGBTQ2S+ rights in the country, it is the commitment of frontline workers that drives the celebrations forward. There has been a surge of countries in the Caribbean starting Pride events. Despite the pushbacks due to long held discrimination, countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Jamacia have hosted events in recent years.

Many miles away in Ukraine, the LGBTI (the term commonly used in Ukraine) community is alive and strong, with an estimated number of around one million people. Originating in Kyiv, TERGO, described as “The Rear”, is working towards nurturing relationships of LGBTI children with their parents; however, their work doesn’t stop there as LGBTI legal rights, informative discussion, emotional support, and protections are also at the forefront of their mission. As a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, TERGO has not been able to operate as usual but they are keeping their community up to date through their Facebook page.

On a positive note, there is a newfound collectiveness within Ukrainian society and its LGBTI population due to the war. “Both the heterosexual family and our lesbian girls cook in the same kitchen, and I don’t see any conflicts or prejudices.”, TERGO program assistant Anna Medko described in an interview with QUA an organization supporting LGBTQ Ukrainians in America. Anna also shares a support line where relatives of LGBTI people along with civilians that have been impacted by the war have a safe space for conversations.

The LGBT community in the country is doing their part in several different ways such as participating in the army, working in shelters, and welcoming in refugees that were from Ukraine. Olena Globa is one of the many that had to flee their home to a new location. Olena believes it’s their unity, their Pride that gets the message across for governments and society to understand their circumstance. “We should remember that these events are our marches for love, freedom, equality, diversity, democracy, and peace. Peace and freedom are our core values.” Olena explains in an interview with The National LGBT Rights Organization LGL.

From the West Indies to Eastern Europe, these two organizations from across the globe are keeping this loving energy going.