In the Netherlands, a new website for LGBT Youth activities was launched on IDAHOT 2014, and the Oranje Kerk in Amsterdam also organised a IDAHOT vigil to remember the victims of Anti-LGBT violence.

New Platform for LGBT Youth

The groups COC Netherlands, Movisie and NJR launched a new website for May 17, 2014, which is targeted towards LGBT youth. The website provides information about activities aimed at young LGBTI people in local areas. The website provides a good platform for people to know what is going on in their own region, but also to get connected and overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation. The website was launched on May 17 in commemoration of IDAHOT and was realised with the support of the Ministry of Education. The new website is: www.nietalleenanders.nl

IDAHOT Vigil in Amsterdam

The first IDAHOT-vigil, as part of the Global Interfaith Prayer Initiative in the Netherlands, was held in Amsterdam. The event included an hour of commemoration (prayer, silent reflection, song and testimony), and was aimed at giving hope to communities which have suffered the effects of hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The vigil was organised by the protestant Church, Oranje Kerk (Orange Church), and LKP, the national coordinating organisation of the Christian LGBT movement in the Netherlands. Testimonies were held by Narayan Fil, Moses Walusimbi and Jos van der Bijl. Revs Jantine Heuvelink (Orange Church) and Wielie Elhorst (on behalf of LKP) led the ceremony. Money was also collected for Pride Fonds (Pride Fund) of Amnesty International, and for COC Netherlands, the Dutch LGBT organisation.

Organisers advised: “The message of the vigil was that there is room for everybody under the skies of heaven, without distinction and to spread the living hope that someday every single person will be fully included and can fully participate in church and in society.”

For more information about the Oranje Kerk in Amsterdam please visit their website or go to their Facebook page.

Source: Oranje Kerk Amsterdam

Source: Oranje Kerk Amsterdam

Source: Oranje Kerk Amsterdam

Source: Oranje Kerk Amsterdam

International IDAHO Conference. The Hague (May 15 – 17).

The aims for this IDAHO conference were “to promote emancipation of LGBT people, to combat violence and discrimination based on gender (identity) and sexual orientation, and to take stock of public leadership, policy achievements and cooperation in Europe and beyond”.

The conference included high level plenaries and workshops, including :

• Government Focal Point Roundtable
• European Gay Police Association Conference
• ILGA-Europe Council of Europe project Roundtable
• NATO LGBT informal Roundtable
• International Rainbow Cities Roundtable
• Council of Europe LGBT project partners Roundtable
• Presentation of the Fundamental Rights Agency survey

Programme:

15 May 2013

Official opening in the Grand Hall of the International Peace Palace Co-hosted by The Hague City

Plenary

• Welcome address by the deputy Mayor of The Hague City
• Brief introduction to IDAHO by the conference host

16 May 2013

• Plenary
• Kick off by Jet Bussemaker, Dutch Government Minister for Gender & LGBT emancipation
• Key note by Joel Bedos, director of IDAHO international
• Key note by Evelyne Paradis, director of ILGA-Europe

Parallel events

• Govt. Focal Point Roundtable
• European Gay Police Association Conference
• ILGA-Europe Council of Europe project Roundtable
• NATO LGBT informal Roundtable
• International Rainbow Cities Roundtable
• Council of Europe LGBT project partners Roundtable

Plenary

• Official IDAHO 2013 statement by High UN Official
• Key note speech by Secretary General of the Council of Europe

17 May 2013

Plenary

• Key note speech by Viviane Reding Vice President of the European Commission (tbc)
• Presentation of the FRA Survey by Morten Kjaerum Director Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union (confirmed)

 Parallel events

• Rainbow Cities Govt. Focal Points Roundtable
• Govt. Focal Points & Council of Europe project partners Roundtable
• EGPA
• NATO LGBT informal Roundtable

 Plenary

• Key note speech Human Rights Watch – Boris Dittrich (confirmed)
• Panel about the outcomes of the IDAHO 2013 conference
• Governmental LGBT Focal Points
• Rainbow Cities Govt. Focal Points
• Informal NATO Working Group
• European Gay Police Association
• ILGA- Europe by Evelyne Paradis
• Council of Europe
• European Parliament
• Global Alliance Trans Equality by Justus Eisfeld
• IDAHO 2013 conclusions by the chair

 Theater Hall

• Opening Act
• LGBT emancipation Innovation award
• Life Time Achievement LGBT emancipation Government award
• Act II
• Offiial closing Key note by Navanethem Pillay – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (t.b.c.)
• Closing Act

Her Majesty Queen of the Netherlands Maxima attended on May 16th the opening ceremony of the International IDAHO Conference, attended by high level international political figures, amongst which High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, addressed participants in The Hague on the evening of the 16th

In his speech, the Secretary General underlined that “for generations, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in all regions have been subjected to terrible violence on account of their sexual orientation and gender identity”. He pursues, “For far too long, their suffering was met with silence in the halls of power. As Secretary-General, I am committed to raising my voice.”

While underlining the need for legal reforms, Mr Ban Ki-moon also emphasized that “public education is also essential to challenge negative stereotypes and promote greater understanding.” The address was read by delivered by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay

Mr Ban Ki-moon’s full Communiqué :

“I am pleased to send greetings to this first International Forum organized by the Government of The Netherlands to mark the International Day against Homophobia. I especially thank Her Majesty Queen Máxima of The Netherlands for supporting this important event.

The fight against homophobia is a core part of the broader battle for human rights for all. Its sits alongside the long-standing work of the United Nations to eliminate racism and promote gender equality. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights promises a world that is free and equal, and we will only honour that promise if everyone – without exception – enjoys the protection they deserve.

For generations, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in all regions have been subjected to terrible violence on account of their sexual orientation and gender identity. They have been treated with contempt, derision and discrimination. They have been made to feel anything but free and equal.

For far too long, their suffering was met with silence in the halls of power.

As Secretary-General, I am committed to raising my voice. Along with many committed partners, we are working to elevate this struggle and draw greater attention to the specific challenges facing the LGBT members of our human family. I appreciate all those who support this effort and call on others to engage.

We know what needs to be done. Draconian laws used to criminalize and punish LGBT people must be replaced by new laws that are in harmony with universal human rights conventions and protect everyone from discrimination on grounds of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Public education is also essential to challenge negative stereotypes and promote greater understanding.

Ending homophobia is a matter of personal security, dignity and even survival for countless individuals. It is also a long-term endeavour – one that I believe is critical to the mission of the United Nations.

I thank you for your commitment to the cause and wish you fruitful discussions in the coming days. With the force of our conviction, let us continue working for a world of true freedom and equality for all.”

European Union Fundamental Rights Agency unveils largest European LGBT Study ever

On May 17^th, The Fundamental Rights Agency launched in the Hague the largest Survey on LGBT rights in the European Union.

“A too great number of LGBT people across Europe are being barred from being themselves. Their ability to enjoy their basic human right of living with dignity, to enjoy life and express themselves freely without discrimination, is being denied,” FRA Director Morten Kjaerum said in his opening speech.

The survey recorded participation from 93,079 LGBT people from all EU members States and Croatia. Results show, amongst other elements, that:

– Half of respondents report discrimination.

– 80% of respondents recall homophobic bullying of LGBT youth at school.

– Fewer than 1 in 5 victims of violence reported to the police.

-66% of respondents declare being afraid to hold hands in public

-Half of the respondents report offensive language against LGBT from the part of government official.

In light of the lack of comparable data on the respect, fulfilment and protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) launched in 2012 its European Union online survey of LGBT persons’ experiences of discrimination, harassment, violence in different areas of life, including education, employment, healthcare and other services.

The full study is available at http://fra.europa.eu/en/news/2013/fra-director-holds-speech-launch-eu-lgbt-survey-report