Love – A History of Hate in Suriname – Hide, Flee or Suicide
Marching ahead of the Caribbean
The LGBT History Suriname uit de kast getrokken
Suriname Pride – Not just a vibrant parade
Matthijs Sodomietje van Suriname
Love – A History of Hate in Suriname – Hide, Flee or Suicide
The publication concerns the thoroughly researched and documented, until now highly obscure LGBT History of Suriname, stretching from 1692 to 2021, entitled ‘Love – A History of Hate; Hide, Flee or Suicide’. It is a first for the country, but also a first for the Caribbean as well as for similar nations across the globe. It consists of four, mainly chronological, outlines: Early Attitudes – Social and Culture Life – Birth and Uprising of Activism & Advocacy – Recent Challenges, all aspects that are entangled by politics influenced by the dark shadow of religion and the universal greed for power and thus wealth.
Parallels drawn to international historical chronicles illustrate that these were not merely isolated incidents, but more of a universal hunger for dominance at any expense, in particular dominance of minorities. This historical journey ‘Execution Extinction Existence Expression – An Insight into a Country’s Gay History’ is captured by this subtitle of the book.
These parallels, the globally shared history and as a result the common ‘battle scars’, recognizable in many if not all countries in the world, are the reason for choosing to write this Book in English instead of Dutch, which is the official language in Suriname. Besides the commonly endured suffering, so too, shall the common goal remain; our striving for victory by achieving justice through gaining equality and equity, with valid social and legal merit. By doing so, preferring a more international approach and choice of language, we will hopefully be able to reach more likeminded individuals in countries and regions where it is perhaps not yet possible to speak out, and having them also recognize themselves in our own, Surinamese LGBT history.
Marching ahead of the Caribbean
Article in the Boston Pride Magazine of (Written by E. Lame – Research by I.P. Liesdek – 2018)
Many Caribbean nations formally outlaw homosexuality; Suriname does not. “Yet within each of Suriname’s many ethnic communities and religions there is a sense of taboo towards same-sex relations, exacerbated by the large measure of social control that comes with any small society,” explains Faisel Tjon-A-Loi, chairman of the LGBT Federation Suriname, a coalition of local LGBT organizations that has presented Suriname Pride since 2011.
LGBTQ people in Suriname are facing discrimination and rejection. Pentecostal churches loudly proclaim homosexuality to be a sin. In the Asian communities, gay people are forced into arranged marriages. Suriname’s already high suicide rate is even more of a risk to LGBTQ people due to discrimination.
The LGBT History Suriname uit de kast getrokken
The LGBT History of Suriname – uit de kast getrokken; Yet unpublished photobook entailing the stories and all visuals of the WHY?-exhibition, plus added new information (1694-2022).
Suriname Pride – Not just a vibrant parade
A report showing that Pride is more than just gathering and ‘showing strength in numbers’ for merely partying and fun. Yes, it is a celebration of being proud of existing after having survived injustice on a daily bases, but it is also serves as the foundation for structural Activism and Advocacy by means of Awareness & Visibility according to a demanded predetermined strategic plan.
Free downloadable copy at the soon to be available LGBT Archives Suriname
Mati’s van Ondro Wowoyo
‘Mati’s van Ondro‐Wowoyo’ (unpublished – target date schoolyear 2023/2024) – Children’s story for the curriculum ‘Reading’ ages 10-12 years, commissioned by the Ministry of Education of Suriname.
Free downloadable copy at the soon to be available LGBT Archives Suriname
Matthijs Sodomietje van Suriname
Matthijs – A novel based on historical facts about the life and suffering of Matthijs de Goijer, executed for the offense of sodomy at Fort Zeelandia in Paramaribo March 1, 1731 (targeted date 2026). His timeless story is similar and symbolic for, and shows parallels to any or every LGBT anywhere, any place and at any point in time , past present and in the ( hopefully short term) foreseeable future.