“Artist Paul Harfleet plants pansies at the site of homophobic abuse, he finds the nearest source of soil to where the incident occurred and generally without civic permission plants one unmarked pansy. The flower is then photographed in it’s location and posted on this website, the image is entitled after the abuse. Titles like “Let’s kill the Bati-Man!” and “Fucking Faggot!” reveal a frequent reality of gay experience which often goes unreported to authorities and by the media.

This simple action operates as a gesture of quiet resistance, some pansies flourish and others wilt in urban hedgerows. The artist began by planting pansies to mark his own experience of homophobia on the streets of Manchester (UK) though he plants pansies for others both on an individual basis and as part of various festivals and events. Perhaps most poignantly The Pansy Project also marks locations where people have been killed as a result of homophobic attack, for example a pansy for Michael Causer who was murdered in Liverpool in 2008.” – from The Pansy Project

Paul, and other ‘guerrilla gardeners’ in various countries, have often taken these kind of actions to mark the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia. In 2013, for example, Pansy Project workshops and acts happened for May 17 in places as diverse as the UK, South Africa and South Korea. Meanwhile, in 2014, the Pansies were planted for the IDAHOT in Bristol, London and Brussels.

Guerrilla Gardening in for IDAHOT 2013, in the Jongro area of Seoul, South Korea, by the Korean Gay Men’s Human Rights Group

Pansies are a significant choice of flower because, in English, a “pansy” is also a (quite old fashioned) slur for “gay”. So the planting of pansies, as symbols of hope against LGBT violence and discrimination, also works to turn that prejudiced meaning around. The same is true in various languages. In Spanish, for example, the pansy is called “el pensamiento” (deep thought) and is also used as a slur for feminine, gay or bisexual men. In French, the flower is also associated with thinking and thought (la pensée), as well as male femininity or homosexuality. In Portuguese the flower is called “amor-perfeito” (perfect love), and carries connotations of feminine and queer as well.

Pansies are also usually quite cheap to buy, and May is a great time to plant them!

Choice of flower

Other flowers might also be meaningful choices in your context, or depending on the issues you want to address. From roses, daffodils and tulips, to sunflowers, orchids and lilies, you can find out about plant symbolism in this handy Wikipedia page. And, meanings often vary by culture, Hanakotoba is the Japanese language of flowers, for example.

Planting a tree or seeds

Planting a tree or sewing seeds together, as a community, might also be an interesting group activity to mark May 17, and to leave the mark of your fight against hatred for the future. Like with the Pansy Project, this could be done as an act of remembrance, and hope against hate, at the site of a hate crime. Or you could do your planting as an act of community expression and way of coming together, in a public park for example.

Shape, colour and form

Another option could be to plant flowers in a meaningful shape or form, such as a heart, or to plant different coloured flowers together, in separate rows, to make up the colours of the rainbow flag.

When David Morley was killed in a homophobic hate crime in London in 2007, Paul planted a thin pink line of 3,000 pansies along London’s Southbank in a form which traced his last steps.

‘Pansy! For David Morley’. Courtesy of The Pansy Project

Permission and security

Because this is an act of adding something to public spaces, it is probably unlikely to be met with repression, or to require permission from the police or from local authorities.

So, where freedom of expression, assembly and association for LGBTI communities are limited, ‘guerrilla gardening’ can offer a significant – and effective – way of expressing yourself and making your mark, visually (and ecologically), in a public space, without it being repressed as a ‘protest’.

Please do, however, consider these risks in your own context.

Alternatives

Another way to do a similar kind of act is to get people together in a disused or uncared for public space, where there is soil to plant with or ground to use, and to ‘occupy’ the space with gardening activities (which could also include clearing up, sculpture or other crafts activities, the adding of a public bench or seating, etc.). In São Paulo, Brazil, for example, there is a whole movement of people who come together to do this on certain days, and it is also a way of bringing people together from different generations.

Further resources

For more information including tips on how to select your site, how to make your planting, and how to take the best possible photos, see the Pansy Project website!

And remember to send us a picture of your event at contact@dayagainsthomophobia.org or www.facebook.com/may17idahot, so we can share it more widely. If you’re organising for May 17, you can also use the hashtags #PansyProject and #IDAHOT to help get your message out.

Main Photo: Courtesy of the Pansy Project

According to final figures released by ABGLT – the Brazilian national umbrella group for LGBT associations – a total of 183 events were held in Brazil around the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in 2014. Actions were held in at least 20 states, and in at least 55 towns and cities. Once again, this makes Brazil (along with the United Kingdom) one of the most significant national mobilisations around May 17.

A full panorama of all actions held is impossible, and this report will continue to be updated in the coming days, to reflect the scale and diversity of this year’s events. Below is a snapshot, divided by state, of just some of the amazing actions which marked the Day this year in Brazil.

A full list of events held in Brazil this year is available for download here (.doc, 46kb, in Portuguese), with thanks to ABGLT, to Toni, and especially to Paulinho for compiling it.

ABGLT’s May 17 media release, comprising a Manifesto and list of Activities is also accessible via this link (.pdf, 600kb, in Portuguese).

Bahia

Actions around May 17 in the North-Eastern state of Bahia, were significantly larger than any other Brazilian state this year. Commemorations around the Day spread into a month of events during the month of May, and were co-ordinated by a state-wide coalition of over a dozen community groups, civil society organisations and state institutions. For the second year running this run of events – the ‘May of Diversity Project’ – was backed by the SJCDH (State Department of Justice, Citizenship and Human Rights).

Activists and officials come together for an open congressional session in Salvador, Bahia. May 19, 2014.

On May 19, in honour of the IDAHOT 2014, the Salvador City Legislature held a packed ceremony and public consultation session on sexual orientation and gender identity in policies to promote human rights. The event addressed the need for a national gender recognition act, as well as the labour rights and public security needs of LGBT communities. The event was proposed by the councilor, Florisvaldo Bittencourt (PT). Read the full Portuguese report here.

In the first week of May, the group Juventude Sem Terra – the youth wing of the country’s Landless Worker’s Movement (MST) – organised a march of 3,000 people, in Salvador (pictured). Young activists at the march, affirmed “I’m gay and I’m landless” and that “homophobia exists in the country and in the city”.

Landless Youth Movement calls for an end to homoohobia during Bahia march. Source: MST

In Salvador’s Pelourinho, the show ‘Soul Transformista’ was shown free of charge in commemoration of the Day, on Saturday the 17th. The popular and critically acclaimed piece explores the world of ‘transformistas’ (drag artists), and the difficulties faced by them in trying to maintain the art form, in a city which doesn’t value it. The show was just one of countless cultural and artist events which marked the Day in Bahia this year.

The ‘Soul Transformista’ show was one of many May 17 events held in Salvador. Source: Genilson Coutinho/Divulgação

Rio de Janeiro

In Rio de Janeiro, ABGLT held its Fifth National Conference in the city of Niterói on May 22-25. A video introducing the event can be found here:

Over 250 people attended the event, representing dozens of organisations from the whole of Brazil. A summary and manifesto from the event – which the organisers called “a historic event in the history of ABGLT” – can be found here (in Portuguese).

To close the event, on the 25th, around 100 participants gathered in Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro city, for a public march and ‘die-in’, to call for the passing of legislation criminalising homophobia.

Die-in and march on Copacabana beach front ends the V National ABGLT Conference. Source: Revista Forum

The exhibition, “Eu te Desafio a me Amar” (I challenge you to love me), by photographer Diana Blok also marked the commemorations in the city, with a special viewing at Amnesty International’s offices. The exhibition – which brings together depictions of LGBT experiences and expressions in contemporary Brazil – was also shown in Brasília. An online catalogue of the exhibition can be found here, and you can find out more about the work of Diana Blok at her website.

Photos from the exhibition “Eu te Desafio a me Amar” by Diana Blok – featured in Rio de Janeiro and Brasília around IDAHOT 2014.

The exhibition in Rio de Janeiro also formed part of a broader set of events embracing film screenings and a roundtable discussion on LGBTI freedom of expression worldwide, on SOGI aspects of international human rights activism, and on the emergence of transmasculine communities, and rights demands, in contemporary Brazil. Speakers included Sonia Corrêa (Sexuality Policy Watch), Claire House (IDAHO Committee), Be Neves (UERJ), and Arjen Uijterlinde (Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Rio de Janeiro). A recording of the debate is available viw twitcasting here.

São Paulo

In São Paulo, where May 17 is officially recognised as State Day in the Fight Against Homophobia (since a law was passed recognising the Day in 2011), various community groups and state departments came together for a day of reflection and cultural events around LGBT rights.

State Secretary of Justice and Defence of Citizenship, Eloisa Arruda, at São Paulo May 17 event. Source: Secretaria de Justiça SP

Co-ordinated by the State Department of Justice and the Defence of Citizenship, the day of events was intended to help promote debate about human dignity, independent of sexual orientation and gender identity. The action was supported by various other actors and institutions including gender and racial equality departments, and the Brazilian Lawyares Association (OAB).

“The date is important to call attention to the need for affirmative policies to confront homophobia and transphobia – discrimination suffered by travestis and transsexuals… The fight against prejudice is a daily struggle, but on this date we get to raise public awareness that we need to have concrete actions which reduce indices of criminality which are still persist against LGBT communities.” – Heloisa Gama Alves, Co-ordinator of Policies of Sexual Diversity in São Paulo.

Minas Gerais

Activists and supporters from the city’s LGBT community came together for a march in the centre of the state capital, Belo Horizonte, on Saturday May 17. Activists called for public policies to guarantee community safety, promote health and education, and a call for laws to promote equal rights. Organisers underscored that on May 10, 2014, two travestis in the Pampulha region of the city were killed in hate motivated attacks. And that, already in 2014, 136 lives have been taken through hate crimes targeting the LGBT community in Brazil – which remains a global “leader” for lethal LGBT hate crimes.

LGBT rights march through the streets of Belo Horizonte on May 17, 2014. Source: Em.com.br

The group Barbados G.L.A.D (B.G.L.A.D) posted a series of messages in commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on social media, including a statement (below), and published here. Some local media also covered the IDAHOT 2014.

May 17 statement from B.G.L.A.D:

“Threats are made by persons, expressing intentions to shoot, burn, or run me over with a vehicle if I were ever seen again (sure enough, if a moving vehicle is near me, some persons do urge the driver to attempt to hit me with the vehicle. Fortunately to date, no such incident has taken place). Some stores in my neighbourhood often have loiterers nearby, awaiting my arrival if I’m on an errand, only to begin a barrage of harassing comments and threats on my life and safety, or demands that I move out of the area (where I have lived for nearly 15 years).”

The above is a direct quote from a twenty year old Barbadian Transgendered woman, depicting a reality faced by a plethora of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Barbadians daily, more so those who outwardly challenge stereotypical gender norms. Today, May 17th being International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), B-GLAD would like to acknowledge that in 2014, the battle to end discrimination against LGBT citizens still remains an uphill battle.

It is constantly perpetuated that because there are not constant instances of beatings and brutalities that homophobia and transphobia do not exist in our society. Many Barbadians uphold the notion that LGBT people are “allowed” to exist without being assaulted and should not expect much more. No citizen in this country should live with the looming fear of having their basic human rights violated. No equal citizen of this state should exist in perpetual fear of losing their means of income, family or housing, justified by the fact that others do not agree with whom they have romantic relationships.

For far too long, members of the LGBT Community have been the victims of unwarranted persecution because of fear and ignorance. The fact that in Barbados homosexuality to is constantly being linked to pedophilia, when over 90% of pedophiles are heterosexuals, is a prime example of severe lack of education and understanding by the greater majority of the population. The time has come where the public needs to be educated about the negative implications of rampant homophobia in a modern society. Repugnant discrimination not only affects those who are being discriminated against but on our already suffering economy.

The unification of not only the LGBT people of Barbados, but also our allies, so that a change can be made when it comes to addressing homophobia and transphobia in Barbados is vital. Public perception, however, cannot be expected to change when our people are governed by discriminatory laws. It is with this in mind that B-GLAD is proud to announce its participation in the movement Generation Change in Trinidad and Tobago on June 7th, 2014. Generation Change, spearheaded by the Silver Lining Foundation in Trinidad and Tobago is an collaborative initiative where representatives of five different Caribbean states (also inclusive of Belize, Jamaica and Guyana) will come together in collaborative efforts calling on regional leaders to commit to their promises for equality and inclusion for LGBT people in their countries.

Despite the hurdles and obstructions faced by the Caribbean LGBT movement, there is progress and there is huge opportunity for change. Instead of becoming despondent, we do need to focus on the education of those whose hatred lies within the constraints of heavy ignorance and those burdened by fear; informing people that in the quest for equality LGBT people are not fighting for an existence of privilege, but for the opportunity to co-exist without persecution of who they are.

Media coverage

• The Barbados Advocate: ‘Think on These Things‘
• The Bajan Reporter: ‘International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia‘
• The European Union in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean also published on their facebook page, an official statement supporting the Day by High Representative Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union.

For a full panorama of UK events for May 17 please access the IDAHO UK website.

Some highlights for IDAHOT 2014 in the UK included:

Nationwide

A cross-party coalition of 13 UK Members of Parliament tabled an Early Day Motion (on April 8, 2014) formally welcoming the IDAHOT 2014, and calling on the government to move forward debate on the international classification of trans identities in terms of mental health conditions.

The Pansy Project, who on May 17 was in Brussels, Belgium, had also planned ‘guerilla gardening’ sessions in Brighton, Bristol, London, as well as internationally for IDAHOT. Together with LUSH Cosmetics Company, the Pansy Project organised for employees at LUSH shops in the three cities to plant pansies as the sites of homophobic hate crimes, and to promote debate about the actions with their customers. (More Info)

The Pansy Project & Lush in UK on IDAHOT 2014, Source: The Pansy Project

Once again this year, local authorities up and down the country have answered the Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s campaign call in ‘Flying the Flag’ for May 17, like in Bury where the city council raised the flag on May 16. (More Info).

Rainbow Flag in Bury IDAHOT 2014, Source: LG Foundation

Barclays has put the message for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on all 3,400 of its ‘hole in the wall’ machines. The screen shows a couple, with rainbow-painted fingernails and bracelets, joining hands and reveals that Barclays is working with the Lesbian and Gay Foundation to spread the word about IDAHO. The bank’s ATMs in the UK see 685,000 transactions a day, meaning the message will reach millions over the course of the seven-day campaign, culminating on IDAHO. More info here

England

Liverpool

In a pioneering and widely celebrated move, Liverpool Football Club marked May 17 this year with a series of events, including a discussion with community leaders, a photoshoot outside the club, and a guided tour of the grounds. The family of murdered local gay teenager, Michael Causer, were guests of honour at the events.

Liverpool Football Club, May 17, 2014: LGBTI communities come together with officials and representatives of the club.

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Gary Millar and Paul Amann, Liverpool FC Supporters’ Committee LGBT representative both made short addresses to the guests about the importance of IDAHOBIT.

Paul Amann said: “This year’s marking of IDAHOBIT by Liverpool FC is another first and I am proud that the club is choosing to affirm its commitment to LGBT people and recognise our place in the LFC Family.”

Michelle Kirk, equality and inclusion advisor at Liverpool Football Club, added: “Liverpool FC is committed to promoting equality and diversity and wanted to mark this day with the key organisations it works alongside to help promote inclusion and raise awareness.”

Manchester

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation also launched a variety of initiatives for IDAHOBIT as part of their new campaign ‘The Rainbow Connection’ – to raise awareness of hate crime against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGB&T) people and to encourage reporting of hate crime. Events included:

• DUST OFF YOUR RAINBOW FLAGS: Rainbow Flag Flying from businesses, organisations and individuals, May 16-19
• IDAHOBIT 2014 HATE CRIME VIGIL: Special vigil in Sackville Gardens with guest speakers from the local community, May 17
• BAKE THE RAINBOW, SHARE THE RAINBOW: Encouraging people to bake their own ‘rainbow creation’ and collect donations for victims of Anti-LGBT hate crime
• LGF HATE CRIME REPORTING ‘WEB-APP’: The app was launched on May 17
• FILM SCREENING OF CALL ME KUCHU: May 16 at the LGF

IDAHOT Vigil for victims of Hate Crime in Sackville Gardens. Source: LG Foundation

Manchester Pride also hosted various events for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2014, as part of an ‘IDAHOT weekend’, including ‘Run with Pride’ to help raise money for the Manchester Pride Community Fund, ‘Discuss with Pride’- a debate around the representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the media, and ‘Drink with Pride’, a cooperation with local bars and restaurants to host a competition for the best Manchester Pride cocktail.

London

With the title ‘Living in Prophetic Hope‘ and under the theme “Moving from Fear and Hopelessness to Spirit-led Action in Deeply Homophobic Communities”, various LGBTI christian groups came together in London, for a day’s workshop of prayer, film, reflection and talks. They also highlighted the role of christian churches in anti-LGBT rhetorics and violence, as the organisers stated ahead of the event: “It is our own Christian churches that play a crucial role in supporting homophobic rhetoric and policies of hatred in countries like Uganda, Nigeria, and Russia. Homophobia is also still very much present in the UK, as recent statements from the Anglican House of Bishops sadly attest. It is woven tightly into racism and classism; it feeds people’s irrational fears about immigrants, and ongoing repression within immigrant communities.”

On May 16, in celebration of IDAHOT Article 19 also co-ordinated a special meeting at the Free Word Centre in London with the theme ‘Speak Up and Speak Out! Freedom to express sexual orientation and gender identity’. GALHA, the LGBT Humanists organisation joined Article 19 in the preparations of the event. The evening brought together activists, policy experts and LGBT people for a discussion about the challenges LGBT people face in exercising their right to freedom of expression worldwide.

Speak Up and Speak Out! Special meeting in London, Source: GALHA LGBT Humanists

Meanwhile, Kaleidoscope Trust hosted it’s annual IDAHOT lecture, on Thursday May 15, with guest speaker Maurice Tomlinson: ‘Maurice is the Legal Advisor, Marginalized Groups for AIDS Free World and has been involved in HIV/AIDS and LGBT activism in the Caribbean for over 14 years. He is at the forefront of the campaign to decriminalise homosexuality, leading legal challenges across the region to have disciminatory laws repealed… In 2012 he was awarded the inaugural David Kato Vision and Voice Award, which celebrates the life and work of murdered Ugandan LGBT activist, David Kato…’. The organisers live-tweeted the event, so that everyone around the world could follow the lecture on Twitter. Parts of the lecture have been documented in this video:

Also, Trans*tastic is a mini film festival with over 20 movies from Trans* filmmakers and on Trans* issues which took place on May 10 and 17. It included shorts, features, documentaries and music videos on activism, community, love, trauma, dis_ability, friendships, family, coming-out, immigration and much more. All the money raised from this festival went towards Trans* health care. The programme on May 17 included:

• Trauma, Resistance+Healing: Nine short films talking about past and present Trans*discrimination, resistance and films as one way of coping and healing.
• Fiction, Arts+Animation: Nine short films by and about Trans* filmmakers, musicians and spoken word poets.
• Austin Unbound: A programme in American and British Sign Language around the topics of coming out, deafness, self-discovery and much more.

The district of Barking and Dagenham for the first time ever celebrated the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, with an event that was especially addressed at younger people. There was a film screening of the Stonewall film FIT about a group of 6 teenagers all in the same class from London who struggle with stereotyping, suffer homophobic bullying or are homophobic, on Saturday 17 May from 12 noon to 4pm with free popcorn and snacks. After the film there was space to discuss, connect and network. More details here.

Another highlight was the INCITE! IDAHO special at the Phoenix Artist Club on May 14-15. Maureen Duffy, ‘National Lesbian Treasure’, out since the early 60s, and author of 30 books, read poetry that illuminated her life. The event also featured for the very first time Trudy Howson’s new poem ‘IDAHO 14′. Also Pride in London was there with information on how local people could get involved with this year’s event. Afterwards there was a open mic event, and live in-house jazz. This cultural/social event was hosted by poet TRUDY HOWSON.

Norwich

Sing with Pride, the Norwich based choir from the LGBT community for everyone organised a singing workshop to celebrate IDAHOT (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) at Friends Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane Norwich.

It was an exhilarating day of harmony singing for everyone who wants to sing – whether you think you can or not! 20 people were taught by Chris in his unique style with lashings of humour, oodles of fun and a firm but gentle hand on the steering wheel!
We learned a range of songs from around the world, in the original languages, in glorious unaccompanied harmony: African, gospel, Eastern European, New Zealand Maori and more.
Everything was taught by ear and the sound we created together was amazing – we even went for a little busk at the end!

Sing with Pride IDAHO Workshop 2014. Source: Sing with Pride

Sheffield

Sexual Health Sheffield, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Museums Sheffield in partnership with Sheffield City Council had orgainsed speeches and a One Minute Noise action, to raise awareness of how LGBT-phobias impact on community health and well-being. Later on May 17 there was also an ‘IDAHOT Live Late event’. ‘A chance to celebrate and will include music, talks, promenade theatre and arts activities from the Sheena Amos Youth Trust and a Big Bingo show with Timberlina and DJ Hey Baylen. The Big Bingo show is a riotous, hilarious rock-n-roll bingo adventure featuring spontaneous dance routines, sing-alongs, topical rants and terrific prizes…’ The event included a exhibition called ‘Living My Life’ and has also been exhibited in clinic reception areas, conference suites, university sites, health summits and other events integral to key dates such as LGBT History Month. The exhibition has gained overwhelming national praise for it’s positive messages and impact on the lives of trans people.

IDAHOT 2014 Sheffield. Source: Centre for HIV & Sexual Health

Exhibition ‘Living My Life’ in Sheffield. Source: Centre for HIV & Sexual Health

Brighton & Hove

Community groups from Brighton & Hove have joined for a day of events for IDAHOBIT, including music performances – together with The Brighton & Hove Rainbow Chorus – as well as community discussions, and a One Minute Noise against Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic hate crimes. Find more details here.
The program was as following:

• Procession of the Rainbow Flag
• Performances from The Brighton & Hove Rainbow Chorus.
• A minute’s ‘noise’ to remember the international victims of homo, bi and transphobic violence; (so bring a whistle, horn, bell, tambourine, trombone etc to make some noise!)
• Raising of the Rainbow flag and release of confetti as a symbol of hope for the future.
• Speeches from key personalities within the LGBT community.

The University of Brighton’s Equality & Diversity Unit has also commemorated IDAHOBIT with a screening of the film, ‘Bette Bourne: It Goes with the Shoes’, on May 22, which also formed part of the Brighton Fringe Festival.

With acclaimed playwright Mark Ravenhill as a guide, the film sheds light on a hidden part of gay history and paints an uproarious and moving portrait of an engaging and charismatic gay hero; from the early meetings of the Gay Liberation Front; to the first mass gay protests in Europe; to life in a gay drag commune and a European road trip with drag superstars, The Bloolips, a real life, Priscilla Queen of the Desert style adventure.

Northhampton

Northampton Borough Council and the LGBTQ People’s Forum had invited to the Guildhall to make some noise on May 16 to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia with speeches and noise. Councillors and representatives from community groups joined the action with speeches and making noise against Anti-LGBT violence.

Middlesbrough

Hart Gables & Middlesbrough community Pride have teamed together to create an event in support of IDAHO 2014 on May 17 which included

• Balloon Release, Mima, Centre Square, Middlesbrough
• Constantine Lecture Theatre, Teesside University Campus a film showing of BETTE BOURNE – It goes with the shoes
• ‘Equality Climb’ Roseberry Topping – As part of the ‘flying the flag event’

Birmingham

At Birmingham University, LGBTQ Association committee representatives were outside SPAR in the Guild of Students from 11am-3pm on May 15 with information and resources about IDAHOBIT.

IDAHOT 2014 at University of Birmingham. Source: Birmingham LGBTQ

Scotland

In commemoration of IDAHOT, Edinburgh presented its first ever Dyke March through the city centre. Jo Clifford, Edinburgh playwright and performer, also gave a speech at the march. After the march, there was also an open event, the IDAHO Pride Fundraiser EXTRAVAGANZA at the Teviot Row House with wine and fun activities to celebrate equality and to pay tribute to the people who fight for it.

Northern Ireland

As part of an Ireland-wide set of religious services in commemoration of the IDAHOT 2014, Changing Attitude Ireland (C.A.I.), a Church of Ireland organisation with ecumenical friends arranged events in Belfast, Derry and Newry, next to other actions in Republic of Ireland.

In Derry, there was also a afternoon of activities which took place at the Cafe Soul and included family-friendly activities such as balloon modelling, face painting etc. With the event, the organisers intented to bring people together to celebrate diversity and acceptance, to raise awareness of homophobia and transphobia and to include Derry/Londonderry in this years IDAHOT global celebrations. LGBT Northern Ireland is a voluntary organisation established to support and help people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and their families. For more details on LGBT Northern Ireland/IDAHOT Derry go to their Facebook page.

Aside from the religious service, in Belfast there was also a week of events for May 17. The Northern Ireland Anti Homophobia and Transphobia Week 2014 was launched at Belfast City Hall on Monday 12th May at 10.30am. There was a series of events for the following days, including the launch of LGB/T Homelessness Research Report, Walk a Mile in my Shoes with Strabane & Lifford LGBT Group, a panel discussion on dealing with the issues of homophobia, transphobia and queer kinship in Northern Irish society through arts, culture and social engagement and many more.

Anti Homophobia and Transphobia Week Northern Ireland. Source: So Me, Equality Commission

Wales

Swansea

The Swansea Bay LGBT Unity Project had organised a 50+ LGBT Brunch Club on May 17.

IDAHOT 2014 actions in Swansea. Source: The Swansea Bay LGBT Unity Project

As in previous years, various events marked the IDAHOT in Honduras. Communities came together for a concert, public speeches and films, and also for a street parade against Homo-Lesbo-Transphobia. Activists drew attention to high rates of violence targeted at LGBT people, and took the opportunity to explore local histories of LGBT activism.

The organization Movimiento de Diversidad en Resistencia (MDR, Movement of Diversity in Resistance) organized a landmark concert in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to proclaim and demand respect for the rights of LGBT communities.

Street demonstration against Homo-Lesbo-Transfobia in Honduras, IDAHOT 2014.

The event took place on Saturday, May 31, in the public square known as the Redondel Artisans. It was attended by various public figures such as Honduran artist Coffee Guancasco, and feminist activist and singer songwriter, Karla Lara Nélson “Dog” Pavón, amongst others.

Besides music during the concert, and messages of support and from and for LGBT activists and human rights organizations, films were also screened.

“Homophobia NO, Socialism YES” – Activists take to the streets for IDAHOT 2014 in Honduras.

Another important activity was a street parade against Homophobia, Transphobia and Lesbophobia, in order to demand respect for human rights of all people and encourage LGBT people to denounce human rights abuses.

Another main purpose of the demonstration was for communities to raise their voices to stop violence and discrimination against LGBT people They also denounced the government for failure to address the high rate of homicide against LGBT communities in the country – which is one of the highest in the world, when corrected to population.

You can watch a video of the actions here:

Finally, the Following Rainbow Footsteps activity was another highlight this year, in which both LGBT communities and allies came together. The event was basically an LGBT-themed guided tour through various landmarks in the history of LGBT activism in the country.

Various organizations  from El Salvador organized diverse public actions for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014. Highlights included a street march and action at the Monumento a la Constitución (Constitution Monument) in the capital, San Salvador. Communities and government representatives also came together to discuss hate crimes against GBLTI communities, as well as the role of faith in constraining and supporting sexual and gender rights in the country.

LGBT rights march at San Salvador’s iconic Constitution Monument, for IDAHOT 2014.

Actions by Fraternidad Gay Sin Fronteras

The group Fraternidad Gay Sin Fronteras (Gay Fraternity Without Borders), organised a series of specific activities around the IDAHOT 2014. Some highlights included:

• A national consultation on government progress on hate crimes against GBLTI communities.
• An event at the LGBT Violence Prevention Center of Nicaragua, in El Salvador.
• Discussion regarding World-MCP Funds (Country Coordinating Mechanism) in relation to GBLTI communities, and the use of Bank funds.
• Event on Fair Faith, Churches and Hate Crimes in El Salvador, sponsored by USAID-ALDES.

Activists and allies come together for a street march through the capital, San Salvador.

Street March in the Capital

A street march, which was organised and attended by a variety of GBLTI and civil society organizations also took place in San Salvador, bringing together hundreds of people.

You can see the full photo gallery, here.

The group Lobby Alliance for LGBT Human Rights marked the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014, by conducting a protest to pressure Taiwan’s government to approve a bill legalizing same-sex marriage.

The bill has been stalled in the Legislature since last October, and its progress constitutes one of the major priorities of local activists in the country at the moment. The protest also served to remember the victims of hate crimes, and was marked by its creativity and impact – with various photos of the event shared widely on social media, including internationally.

Local activists installed 100 tombstones which were made of cardboard – each engraved with the names of people who had lost their lives due to hatred against LGBTI people, either through being killed or through committing suicide. The protest took place in Ketagalan Boulevard, one of the main avenues in the capital, which leads to Taiwan’s Presidential Building.

Credit: Courtesy of Ketty W. Chen

“Do you know how much I hurt?” | Courtesy of Ketty W. Chen

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

Polish LGBT communities are currently facing big challenges. There has recently been a sustained upsurge in attacks on LGBT communities from the Polish Church hierarchy, as well as from neo-fascist groups, which are acting to silence communities, and have also started to “guard” people against the “gender ideology” they say is being imposed by activists. In this context, activists in Łódź, Poland had organised a colorful action to protest against the Anti-LGBT attacks in Polish society. And a local radio station held a program in celebration of IDAHOT.

Poland’s statues dress as rainbows!

“If Tuwim Lived Today, He’d Be Against Homophobia”

Łódź is a city born out of diversity and tolerance from many different cultures. To underline this fact, the statues in the city, preserving the memory of great city figures, have been decorated with rainbows of flowers and balloons on May 16, with the motto “Speak out against hate!”. The message was that the great figures of the city, as well as common citizens spoke out against tactics which legitimize hatred and serve to silence LGBT communities.

Source: Fabryka Równosci

Factory Radio also streamed the program “Homophobia, the worst disease” by Chumbawamba. In connection with the 55 group, Student birthday Radio Żak Technical University of Lodz and the Jubilee 55-hour ramówką, the program was broadcasted on Sunday, May 18.

Source: Fabryka Równosci

Further Information

• You can find more information and pictures of the action on Fabryka Równości website or on their Facebook page.

In Thailand actions for IDAHOT 2014 took place in various cities, involving all kinds of different stakeholders – from UN agencies to schools and young people to trans* and gender non-conforming communities, to artists and community activists. Topics highlighted by local groups included bullying in schools, transphobia, and freedom of expression.

School Rainbow Campaign

As part of a wider effort to wipe out LGBT bullying in schools, a broad coalition of groups – UNAIDS Asia Pacific, UNESCO Asia Pacific, APCOM, Youth Voices Count and Youth Lead – joined forces to organise the ‘School Rainbow’ campaign. The campaign encourages communities to come together to make chalk drawings of rainbows in city spaces, therefore symbolising the importance of diversity, public space use, and messages of inclusivity. The collective art works were mainly produced around school gates and other settings where young people are likely to come together.

Planned, coordinated and executed in partnerships with students, schools, and local communities, the campaign also brought ‘the rainbows into the classroom’ with the support of lessons on sexual diversity, acceptance and the right to education. The chalking rainbows action started on May 12 and went on throughout the week around IDAHOT 2014 in at least 4 schools and universities in Bangkok. To learn more about the School Rainbow campaign, you can see the campaign’s website.

Rainbow chalking at New International School Thailand | Photo by UNAIDS/H. Nhan

Study, event and infographic on LGBTI bullying in Thailand

In addition to the School Rainbow event, UNESCO Asia Pacific also commemorated the Day by releasing the first ever systematic study (and infographic) which documents bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools in Thailand. The study formed part of a joint effort of the agency, together with Plan International Thailand and Mahidol University. The study was released as part of another IDAHOT event, “Bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in Thailand: Risks and Realities,” at Thailand Knowledge Park (TK Park), 14 May, 5.30pm-8pm.  Organized by UNESCO Asia Pacific, UNAIDS Asia Pacific and the Embassies of the United States and the Netherlands in Thailand, the event also included a film screening and panel discussion showcasing experiences and perspectives on the realities and risks of discrimination and bullying against LGBTI young people.

Power Rainbow Workshop for Young People

Still on the theme of anti-bullying, Anjaree Foundation held a ‘Power Rainbow Workshop’ for young people (high school and college students) on May 17 at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre. The workshop provided a forum for LGBTI students to exchange stories of their school life as well as for educators and students to discuss how to reduce bullying, violence and discriminatory practices within school environments in particular, as well as within Thai society in general.

The Panelists of Power Rainbow workshop

Thai Transgender Alliance Actions

The day before May 17, trans* communities and their allies came together to focus on issues of both transgender rights and freedom of expression, as part of an IDAHOT event organized by Thai Transgender Alliance (Thai TGA). Held in Bangkok Art and Cultural Center from noon to 6.30 PM, a “Where Everyone Can Express Themselves” workshop aimed to shed light on the freedom and rights of Thai transgender individuals in accessing state public services, private sector services and employment.

Participants of the “Where Everyone Can Express Themselves” Workshop

IDAHOT Bangkok Actions

The city of Bangkok also has its own IDAHOT Working group, which is made up of individual LGBTIQ activists, and supported by Rainbow Sky Association Thailand volunteers, Anjaree Foundation, Galaya Club, People’s Empowerment Foundation, and some HIV-focused organisations such as SWING and The Poz.

The working group  conducted an IDAHOT campaign this year which was also focused on the concept of freedom of expression. Comprising a smart, cost-free social media advocacy campaign, which plays on the freedom of expression concept, the working group launched the campaign: “IDAHOT Selfies; This is me! This is us!”. The campaign invited LGBTIQ communities and allies to take selfies and post them with the #SiamIDAHOT hashtag on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. These selfies were collected into one post-campaign image to create a visual tapestry/representation of LGBTIQ identities in Thailand.

The working group also conducted candlelight vigil ceremony on the evening of May 17 to close the IDAHOT celebration in Thailand together with the above organizers.

The Bangkok IDAHOT 2014 Candlelight Vigil