Norway Since Norwegians celebrate Norway’s Constitutional Day on May 17, IDAHOT actions usually do not take place. Nevertheless, LLH (LGBT Organisation for Norway) used the occasion to mark IDAHOT by launching an initiative for Euro Pride 2014, which will be held in Oslo in June. The following press release was published on May 16 and can also be found on the Euro Pride …

Austria In Austria, events took place for the IDAHOT 2014 in at least two cities. Actions were focused on raising awareness of the victims of LGBTI-phobic hate crimes, on the present situation of LGBTI rights in the country, and on the importance of freedom of expression for LGBTI communities. Rainbow Flash Balloon Release The groups Homosexuelle Initiative Wien, HOSI (Homosexual Initiative …

Hong Kong Hong Kong saw a great variety of actions during the week around IDAHOT 2014. Organized by an alliance of four human rights organizations  (Pink Alliance, Pink Season 粉紅天, Amnesty International Hong Kong, and Transgender Resource Center), the IDAHOT-HK committee was set up to coordinate the 2014 IDAHOT-HK event series. RainbowLaces social media campaign The series kicked off with the #RainbowLaces social media campaign. …

Saint Lucia The national LGBT organisation United and Strong Inc marked the May 17 observance with a video release online entitled, “Speak up, Speak Out, Speak Love”. This is in keeping with the IDAHOT 2014 focus on freedom of expression for LGBTI persons. You can view it in full here: “We need to stop preaching hate… love is the strongest …

Albania IDAHOT 2014 in Albania included the premiere of the first documentary on LGBT communities in the country, a Festival of Diversity and a set of panels, and the 3rd Annual May 17 Gay Ride through the streets of the capital, Tirana. Alliance Against Discrimination of LGBT and Pro LGBT organized the Third Tirana Gay Ride Against Homophobia at the …