The topic of the event will be gender constructions and there will be debates as well as reflections on that topic.

The event will take place on May 17 at the Facsdis office.

To find out more about the programme and the group visit them on Facebook.

The Haitian organisation Serovie, which has been providing HIV and AIDS prevention and support services to men who have sex with men (MSM) since 1999 has been taking action on May 17th for several years. This year again, a programme of action marked the day, with an exhibition and sales of art and craft works by community members, round table discussions on human rights, film screenings throughout the day of various LGBT-themed movies, and an evening concert.

From the US Embassy Pressroom:

On Monday, May 19, 2014, the U.S. Embassy, in commemoration of the 2014 International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), invited a group consisting of human rights defenders, government officials, representatives of the Haitian National Police (HNP) and civil society activists to the screening of the film “Milk,” which was nominated for eight academy awards and awarded an Oscar for best writing and original screenplay in 2008.  This film, in which Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn plays the leading role, for which he won his second Oscar, details the life of Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist who became the first openly gay politician elected to office in California during the 1970s.

Mr. Sean Penn, who today is well-known for his activism and leadership in relief efforts in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake made a personal appearance to introduce the film and answer audience questions following the screening.  In his remarks, Mr. Penn described how in preparing for the role, he came to know many of Harvey Milk’s surviving friends and political associates.  He explained how this experience not only inspired his award-winning performance, but also deepened his personal commitment to support for equal rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community in America.

On this occasion, U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Pamela A. White reiterated the United States Government’s strong support for LGBT rights around the world under the Obama administration, noting: “Although sexual orientation and gender identity remain sensitive issues for many people around the world, including in the United States, dialogue and understanding are key to ensuring the protection of human rights for all people.”  Ambassador White also commended the dedication and bravery of Haitian civil society activists and government officials who continue to fight to advance the cause of LGBT persons in Haiti, and underlined the continued support of the United States Government in this regard.

This year again, a programme of action will mark the day, with an exhibition and sales of art and craftwork by community members, round tables and discussions on Human Rights, the screening throughout the day of various LGBT movies and an evening concert.

On May 19th, an Embassy will be hosting an evening of discussions between community members, organisations, and diplomacies

Report from the organisation Serovie, caring for HIV positive Men who have Sex with Men in Haiti:

The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia whose goal revolved around how action and reflection can benefit the fight against verbal and physical abuses based on sexual orientation, was commemorated in Port-au-Prince, Haiti with a series of film projections, conferences and debates, testimonies, as well as the unveiling of an effective and reliable database for the confidential information sharing about violations to the rights of LGBTs.

In order to have a meaningful commemoration of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, Fondation SEROvie held a series of activities with various partners such as American Embassy, Housing Works, FACSDIS,Kouraj… At the end of the day, along the same theme, there was a projection of the Haitian documentary film titled « Of Men and Gods » at the American embassy. This film highlights the place that homosexual men occupy in Haitian Vodou; it’s known that Vodou is the only religious worldview that embraces homosexuality without discrimination. It’s the only place where they can express themselves freely without feeling excluded. Some male homosexual Vodou initiates believe that the spirits have turned them gay, because even when they’re not effeminate in daily life, they are when the spirits mounts them. Other initiates hold the contrary opinions that they are born homosexual but those with the opposing view are finding an excuse to explain their homosexuality.

Friday May 17, 2013 we organized a debate-style working group at the Hotel Montana. The  attendance were approximately 200 LGBT heterosexuals and various representatives of organizations working with for the rights of sexual minorities in Haiti. This initiative supported, in one way or another, by Housing works, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNHCR, and Fondation POZ, gathered notable guest speakers such as Mrs. Florence Elie, Chief of Citizen Protection, Mr. Carl Alexandre, Deputy Special Representative for the General Secretary of the United Nations, Mrs. Ehmer Renate of UNAIDS.

The Radio station RFI, which is one of the most listened to in the country, aired a special programme on the issue, no doubt contributing greatly to fighting stigma and prejudice.

In a country where most LGBT people are fearful of violence and cannot be photographed at an LGBT event, speakers at the conference took the bold step of standing in front of a rainbow banner that stated in Hatian Creole “Omosekyalite se pa yon mal, se omofobia ki fe mal”, which means “Homosexuality is not bad, Homophobia is bad”.

Also held were LGBT movie screenings, among which was a documentary about Haitian homosexuals, and a party for the LGBT community.

This was a milestone event for the LGBT community in Haiti, where there is little knowledge about homophobia. Event organizers hoped that the IDAHO celebrations would promote greater understanding of homophobia and consolidate partnerships among those working for LGBT rights within the country.

More information at http://kouraj.org/press/ and http://www.housingworks.org/advocat… andhttp://defend.ht/news/articles/comm…