Guyana set to review law banning cross-dressing

Guyana’s chief judge is holding hearings on whether to eliminate a colonial-era law that prohibits cross-dressing in the conservative South American country.

The case was filed by a gay rights group following a 2009 conviction and minor fines imposed on seven of its members.

“The law is plainly at odds with the ethos and provisions of the Guyana constitution, which states that it is committed to eliminating every form of discrimination,” spokesman Seon Clarke with the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination said yesterday.

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The first hearing on the case was held this month, and additional hearings are scheduled for June, with chief justice Ian Chang expected to hear arguments for and against cross-dressing.

Guyana officials who are due to attend an annual United
Nations conference on human rights have promised to review the laws.