International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 17th May
International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (“IDAHO” for short) is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to stand up against homophobia and transphobia. The 17th May was chosen because on that date in 1990 the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from their list of mental disorders. The initiative was the idea of French campaigner Louis-Georges Tin, and was held for the first time in 2005.
Why do we need IDAHO?
In around 80 countries, same-sex acts are still criminal offences. In many countries the punishment is at least 10 years in prison and in some countries the penalty is death.
In the United Kingdom, we have seen a number of legal changes in recent years which have led to greater equality for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) people. However, attitudes are slower to change, and many LGBT people still face discrimination and even violence in their daily lives, purely on the grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many young people routinely use the word ‘gay’ as an all-purpose insult, and the growing negative effect of this on LGBT people is incalculable. Studies show rates of self-harm and suicide to be roughly three times as high among young people who are gay and lesbian, in other words around one-third may self-harm and/or attempt suicide.
How is IDAHO marked?
Events are held on May 17th every year in many countries around the world, including Hong Kong, Venezuela, Nepal, Great Britain, France, Ukraine and Sri Lanka. There was even an Internet discussion staged by LGBT groups in Iran, one of the countries where the death sentence is still imposed for same-sex acts.
Online Information
www.idahomophobia.org
www.idaho.org.uk
www.homophobiaday.org
http://www.petitiononline.com/idaho/petition-sign.html
www.ilga.org
www.ilga-europe.org
www.amnesty.org.uk/lgbt
www.amnestyusa.org/outfront
To see what you can do to support IDAHO visit www.idaho.org.uk