■ Meg Munn, MP

■ Evan Harris, MP

■ Eleanor Laing, MP

LONDON, April 6, 2006  –  Statements of support from UK political parties have provided a major boost to campaigners for an International Day Against Homophobia, in time for the big launch of IDAHO-UK tomorrow (April 7).

For the Government Meg Munn, Deputy Minister for Women and Equality, said that she fully supported “the work of the International Day Against Homophobia campaign to increase awareness on the legal and human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people across the globe”.

“The UK government recognises the discrimination that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people face in their day to day lives and we are committed to tackling it, just as we want to encourage and develop the conditions for a fair and just society for all.

“We are working hard to improve the lives of lesbians, gay, bisexuals and transsexuals in the UK, and I hope the International Day Against Homophobia will encourage others to take similar steps.  I look forward to marking this day on May 17 from this year onwards.

For the Conservatives, Eleanor Laing, Shadow Minister for Women and Equality, added: “The fact that we can celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia is a clear indication of the way in which the whole attitude of society has changed.

“There is a long way to go but I am confident that right across the political divide we are working for a fair and equal society”.

Evan Harris for the Liberal Democrats said that “homophobia is an increasing problem in Europe and remains prevalent in many parts of the world.

“Liberal Democrats want to see further steps to tackle prejudice, bullying and discrimination both in the UK and abroad, and we give our whole-hearted backing to the International Day Against Homophobia.”

The principal speakers for the Green Party, Caroline Lucas MEP and Councillor Keith Taylor also spoke of their “enthusiastic support” of IDAHO, saying that it “will play an important part in celebrating our vision of a world of equality, tolerance, and diversity.”

The launch meeting of IDAHO-UK takes place tomorrow, Friday April 7,  between 6-8.30pm at Amnesty International UK, The Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA. (detailed directions are provided by Amnesty on the website)

See Also

IDAHO-UK Launches With Reading of Dramatisation of ‘Rid England of this Plague’.  The formal launch of the UK arm of International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on Friday will include a look back to England in the 1950s and the “purge of gays”. (UK Gay News, April 4, 2006)