Cross Dressing in Guyana

It came as a surprise to me that cross dressing is illegal in Guyana. I learnt his after watching a you tube video asking people opinions on cross dressing. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaXESfHYIYc&feature=share )

The uploader was inspired by the Documentary "My Wardrobe , My Right," which was shown at SASOD's recent flim festival. In addition i read GT Observes thoughts on My Wardrobe My Right. Both of these are worth checking out when you’re finished reading this!

Although, the word cross dresser springs to mind drag queens. Cross Dressing by definition is wearing the clothing that is associated with a gender that is not your own. There are also female cross dresser. Perhaps they can more easily pull this off, as many women adopt male clothing either because its a uniform as in the military , or for ease and comfort.

Many persons also associate cross dressing with homosexuality, or transgender. However cross dressers sometimes cross dress simply because they feel more comfortable in the clothing of the opposite sex. They may not be homosexual at all.

A little more research on Cross Dressing in Guyana, led me to find that men have even been arrested for cross dressing in Guyana in the past. Thankfully SASOD and several transgender men have appealled to the courts to overturn cross dressing laws. In fact: "Guyanese law prohibits men from appearing in public in female attire, and vice versa. The law appears in a section of Guyana’s legal code that also makes homosexuality a crime." (1) If this is truly the case, then many women should charged as well.

Thinking of Cross Dressers, i recall what Kiera Knightley's Character in the Duchess: Georgiana Cavendish, said in relation to her extravagant fashions. Her dress was the only way she could express herself. Fashion is after all expression. And our clothing are an extension of who we are. I can recall several occasions that i've worn clothing that i did not like wearing, and did not feel at all like myself in them. Much less, for cross dressers who are forced to wear the socially acceptable gender associated clothing. Imagine it just for a moment. It is almost as if you are in someone else's body and not your own.

So yes, I feel that cross dressing should be legalized. Persons should dress the way they want to as long as they are not harming others. This extends to dress codes but I will rant about that another time. This may be complicated for those in institutional jobs. Would employers want their male employees wearing a dress to work? This is especially important in government and other formal intuitions. How would you feel if the “Sir,” teaching you, or teaching your child, dresses like “Miss.”

To end my commentary I will quote Lady Gaga’s ‘Born this Way,’ which I ranted about in my last post:

“Don't hide yourself in regret / Just love yourself and you're set.”
and don’t forget “Don't be a drag - just be a queen!”



(1) http://propagandapress.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/transgender-men-sasod-in-guyana-court-to-overturn-cross-dressing-laws/

John Travolta in Hairspray

Born this Way! (brief rant )

Its amazing, that with hits under her belt like "Alejandro," and "Judas," that the song that would get Lady Gaga banned would be "Born this Way." MTV news states that, officials in Lebanon have banned Born This Way, describing it as "offensive to Christianity." They have been even impounding copies of the disks. In addition Muslim Malaysia Radio stations have edited the controversial lines: “No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I’m on the right track, baby.”

This isn’t stopping Gaga in the least; in fact she concluded a huge European gay rights march with a moving speech to the people in order to fight for the freedom and equality.

Not surprisingly, the song has been on the top of the charts in both U.K and the U.S.A . It makes you think. What if more of our popular singers promoted this type of acceptance? Especially in the Caribbean. You have so many anti-gay lyrics especially in Dance Hall music - such as “Boom Bye Bye,” (1993) which promotes the murder of homosexuals.

In actuality if you examine the lyrics of Gaga’s ‘Born this Way,” its not only about LGBT or Q , but all people. Accepting people for who they are no matter what their sexual orientation. Despite the controversial nature of the song and even Lady Gaga here self, more people should adapt the lines as their own personal anthem on how they should be treated and how others should treat them.

Once someone is not forcing their lifestyle on you, you should be forcing yours on them.

http://youtu.be/i_cImkpc_dc

Class Trip: Part One!

Our first destination was Nappi Village. After some welcome swank and a pitstop, the latter i found amusing because some members of the trip had never used a latrine before. Next was a bumpy hour long tractor ride from Nappi Village to Maipaima Lodge.



Some of us had cabins, i was one that stayed in a Hammock. Maipaima can comfortably accommodate 12 people in cabins and more in Hammocks or camping. The cabins were comfortable with running water. The only draw back is that we had to use candles for light.



The food on the other hand was fantastic, for place mats we had large eddo leaves which i found unusual and striking.

Next Morning it was on to Jordon falls. A grueling 7 hour hike up and down the Kanaku mountains , funny thing we were getting signal when we were at the peaks!

At midday we stopped at the half way point for Lunch - Cookup Yum! Bad thing is some we (and by we i mean me ) had ethnic fatigue in typical Guyanese Style.



We reached Jordon Falls that afternoon and were greeted by a wondrous sight. Some us opted to have a dip in the 'pool' formed in the rock indentations of the rock. The water was cold and nice. Had to duck behind some rocks for a changing room.


One thing to note about Jordon falls ledge its all rock ontop the falls. I did not go close to the edge so i cant tell you what that view looks like downwards. Dinner was on the ledge, Kebabs with meat and fruit. Accommodation that night was in Hammocks or tents. Thankfully i was in the Hammock, those who slept in tents were on the side of the mountain and more or less slanted side ways , and on tree roots! It was very cold ,and the entire night i heard the roar of the falls.

Next morning was back to the Lodge. I did not go to the Bat and Pot caves on the way back but straight to the lodge. Maybe next go around.

Last night at the lodge , had fun crappo spotting and teking a lil thing.

Up early the next morning, and another tractor ride across the Savanna to the Village. Stopped by the store where most of us bought coke!

Next: on to Yupukari!