LONDON, May 14, 2007  –  Organisers of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) have announced the winners of two poster competitions, one of them based in Lebanon.

The anonymous winner of the competition organised by the Beiruy-based Helem (the Arabic acronym of "Lebanese Protection for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders) produced a striking poster in Arabic using the “rainbow colours” and barbed wire (see above).

The brief for Lebanese entrants was to simply to depict homophobia and the fight against it.

In London, two entrants shared the honours in the competition organised by the School of Graphic Design at the London College of Communication at University of Arts London, in conjunction with IDAHO-UK, Amnesty UK and the Westminster City Council.

They are two students on the FDA Design for Graphic Communication, from Patricia Ofuno and Annel Christopher.

“The standard of all entries was very high,” said Neil Barnett, the acting head of the School of Graphic Design.

“It took the panel four hours to reach its verdict,” he said, adding that there around 20 entries.

All entries will be on display at a special IDAHO event on Thursday (May 17) at the London College of Fashion, part of the University of Arts London.  In addition to the actual entries, other examples of the students’ works will be on display.

This will be the main IDAHO-UK event of this year and there will be guest speakers as well as news of other IDAHO events worldwide – plus a greeting from Louis-Georges Tin, the founder of IDAHO.

One of the main themes of this year’s IDAHO campaign is “No to homophobia, Yes to education”.

This is reflected in several other events in the UK and worldwide.

In Manchester, for example, the Lesbian and Gay Foundation has embarked with many agencies on a three year initiative to support schools in Manchester with interventions, resources, training and advice on homophobia and sexuality.

Cardiff Mardi Gras Organisers are encouraging photos, drawings, painting and digital camera images to highlight “where you feel safe in your sexuality”.

GALHA (Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association) is hosting a panel discussion following the “scare-mongering and misinformation about books aimed at primary school pupils that deal honestly with gay issues, such as same-sex parents or gay youth”.   This is on Friday May 18 at Conway Hall, Holborn, London at 7.30pm.  Details are on the GALHA website.

In France, there will be several initiatives and interactive events at Paris train stations involving pupils teachers, pop singers artists, human rights and LGBT Organisations around the issues of homophobic and transphobic bullying.

The Canadian city of Halifax has been organising an IDAHO event for months.  But with the murders of two gay men in separate incidents in the past weeks, the plans have been altered  to include a reflection on the tragedies, which police believe might have a homophobic motive.

Mr. Tin has today highlighted the favourable reaction of UNESCO to this year’s campaign “as a highly significant event”.

Meanwhile IDAHO-UK organisers have been encouraged by a late surge of announced events for May 17  “There are now more than 80 events that we know of,” said UK coordinator Derek Lennard.

The poster designed by Annel Christopher was one of two winners in the London competition. (click on poster for a larger version)

LINKS
 

		IDAHO-UK website
		IDAHO International website
		website

 

Posted: 10 May 2007 at 17:30 (UK time)