Guyana is launching a national debate on whether to eliminate...

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. "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. The independent Society Against Sexual Orientation and Discrimination said it will campaign to remove what it says are extremely discriminatory colonial-era laws. "It is making criminals out of ordinary people," spokesman Joel Simpson said, noting that under current law, two consenting male adults could face a minimum of two years in prison for having sex in the privacy of their home. Many Guyanese are opposed to the discussions because they want the current laws to remain untouched. Others are opposed to abolishing the death penalty. People will be able to attend town halls on the issue later this month. Nearly 30 prisoners are on death row. Teixeira said the government will inform the U.N. in October about the results of the discussions even if they are still in progress.