LIVERPOOL, December 17, 2007  –  A university student last night called for UK gay men and women – and transgendered people – to show solidarity with the LGBT community throughout the world  by backing the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) next year.

“IDAHO is one day a year and it is a chance to highlight the inequalities people all over the world suffer, simply because they do not have a “normal” sexuality or gender identity”,” said Adam Hodgson, a third year student at John Moores University and the North West coordinator of IDAHO in UK.

“In 77 countries around the world it is illegal to be gay.  In nine of these countries, the penalty can be death.

“Currently 13 countries refuse entry to people based on their HIV status,” he added.

“It’s only by getting involved that we can show our solidarity with LGBT people all over the world.  Put Saturday May 17, 2008 in your diary now,” he asked.

The IDAHO campaign was marked on and around May 17, 2007 in over 50 countries with over 100 initiatives and events in the UK.

For the first time all parts of the UK were involved, as the IDAHO ‘habit’ gripped such cities and areas as Liverpool, Southampton, Bradford, Northampton, Bristol, Lancaster, Tyne and Wear and Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, IDAHO veterans in London, Brighton, Oldham, Manchester, Sheffield, Surrey, Gloucestershire and Kent marked the day with bigger than ever events.

IDAHO initiatives in Scotland were marked by a massive and enthusiastic contribution from LGBT Youth and an Amnesty International campaign. IDAHO was also celebrated for the first in Northern Ireland and Wales.

“Yes to Education, no to Homophobia” was a suggested theme for IDAHO events around the world and this was reflected in several events in the UK.

Students at the University of Arts in London designed posters celebrating the diversity of the LGBT community, and addressing world homophobia.

The winning posters were displayed at a major event on May 17th attended by 200 people.

Manchester’s Lesbian and Gay Foundation announced “a new major initiative aimed at ending homophobia through education”, called “Exceeding Expectations” and showcased this initiative at a major event at Manchester Town Hall.

The subject of homophobic bullying was also tackled in development workshops commissioned and co-produced by Queer up North and Stonewall.

The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) held a panel discussion on “Introducing Gay Families to Schoolchildren”. 

Hate Crime was a major concern of IDAHO campaigners this year, and this was reflected in many events and initiatives.

The BBC reported that there had been a series of hate crime arrests to mark IDAHO. New campaigns to tackle hate crime were launched in Brighton, Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

120 people attended a major event organised by Gay Surrey to highlight these issues.

In Brighton,. campaigners released 77 lanterns, on the seafront, to mark the 77 countries where homosexuality is a crime around the world.

Campaigners in Southwark, Lambeth and Wandsworth marked the day by remembering the victims of homophobic and transphobic abuse in imaginative ways, while in Camden, campaigners marked the day by planting pansies where homophobic and transphobic hate crime had occurred, in collaboration with “The Pansy Project”.

Community Safety Events were also arranged by the “East London Out Project”, who also organised a major vigil outside Walthamstow Town Hall, and workshops with 4 local authorities.

Merseyside Police illuminated police headquarters with the colours of the rainbow flag, and announced the re-launching of their Gay and Lesbian Support Network, and in Gloucestershire ‘out’ members of the county’s LGBT community went back into the closet for the day.

At least 50 local authorities marked the day with the raising of the rainbow flag, and many held ceremonies, which included a minute’s noise against homophobia, which had originally been suggested by campaigners in Sheffield, who also held a major event.

Politically, IDAHO-UK received messages of support from all the major political parties.

The UK government chose IDAHO day to make a major statement on their plans for tackling world homophobia and transphobia, the Liberal Democrats hosted an event in the House of Commons on the subject of homophobic bullying, and Stephen Williams, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West also submitted an Early Day Motion to the House of Commons concerning the Universal Decriminalisation of Homophobia, which was supported by close to 100 MP’s.

Mr Williams also hosted an eve of IDAHO event at the House of Commons, which was addressed by representatives of the British Youth Council, who also organised a very successful demonstration outside the Polish Embassy on IDAHO day.

London’s Mayor, Ken Livingstone also issued a statement supporting IDAHO, marking the City’s growing contribution to the IDAHO-UK campaign.  The Trade Union Congress held a TUC International LGBT Seminar.

LINKS

UK website

IDAHO International site

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.  

Posted: 17 December 2007 at 00:00 (UK time)