A Freedom Festival is basically a mix of different community activities – such as dance, music, art and photography – which creates space for people to come together to express themselves and find acceptance at the local level.

Where security is a concern, this can take the form of private or very local community actions.

Activists in Liberia reported that their Freedom Festival around May 17, 2014, was pioneering in creating a safe space for LGBT people and their friends and allies to come together, in a context where social spaces do not otherwise exist. You can read more about the initiative here.

We spoke to one of the organisers from SAIL (Stop AIDS in Liberia) who told us a bit more about how they organised, where the idea came from, and what advice they would give to others wanting to do something similar:

Where/how did the idea originate? What were the main assumptions behind the idea, the main expectations?

The idea originated in 2013 when the first IDAHOT event was held. The idea was to raise awareness amongst members of the LGBT community here in Liberia, looking at how homophobia affects us. We had a interactive community roundtable where members of the LGBT community told their personal stories, and it was quite interesting to know that there were issues like family neglect, bullying at school, stigma and discrimination, lack of access to health services, lack of protection in public spaces, hate crimes, blackmail, extortion, depression and deaths.

What were the risks/threats/obstacles involved and how did you mitigate them?

Well over the years there have been risks, threats and associated obstacles, considering the work that we do. We have been able to handle some of these incidents using our partners. We were able to conduct a security training session for members of the community and partners to sensitize them on understanding sexuality as it relates to human rights, which has been a strategy for our work. But there is still a lot to be done looking at challenges around sourcing funding for protection.

How did you get it done? How much time did it take? How much did it cost? How many people did it involve? What were the tactics that you used?

Well we use a methodology which involves like-minded or tolerant people coming together to talk about homophobia, and the situation of LGBT people. We were also able to come up with anti-homophobic messages to raise social consciousness and reduce homophobia. ACTION AID Liberia who is a strategic partner to our organization were able to fund the event from their new project titled, “Enhancing the Protection of the Rights of Women Girls and Other Discriminated Groups” (EPR Project), and our organisation is an Implementing partner (with the amount of USD $1,350). The Event brought together 50 participants including partners and members of the LGBT community. We used a private beach, whose owner is a strong supporter of the LGBT Community in Liberia.

We thought that organising social strategies is kind of more effective, when you are doing awareness. So, looking at the community at the time, and our own partners, we came up with the idea of doing the Freedom Festival, where you can just come in and express yourself, as who you are, maybe in your dress code, in the form of poetry, using your talent, that you can sing or you can model… and we wanted to open this up, because there is no social space for LGBT people in Liberia.

So if a kid gets kicked out by his parents, and he comes to a member of our office, maybe he comes to one of our houses for one or two days. But we would not have the funds to take him in for a whole month. Because there are no resources for that. So it is kind of challenging. But the freedom festival we were able to do, as I say, some action in Liberia. Where the idea was to create space and also to promote social consciousness around homophobia.

How do you rate the impact of this action, and how did you see its effects?

The IDAHOT event held over the past two years has created a medium where conversation has started around anti-homophobic incidents and situations. The EPR Project is expected to raise more consciousness on the importance of protection for discriminated groups, of which the LGBT agenda is inclusive.

What advice would you give to other people who’d like to undertake this activity?

Well you will have to create an environment where people talking about these issues can feel safe and comfortable.

I think that they should also target their audience, and be clear as to what is it that they expect. At the same time they need to take security very seriously. That’s why we put the focus on private and community activities because in Africa, and in Liberia, there is really not a lot of privacy. So security then is I think the key word in organising.

One strategy is to relate a scenario where someone has encountered a homophobic situation and use the discussion to create a platform.

If you did this action again, what would you do differently?

We need to change our strategy now to include more members of the community and to target more strategic stakeholders, such as members of the national legislature and judiciary.

A preliminary report of research findings is available for download here (pdf, 255kb).

Research looks at how organisations working in the field rate the importance of SOGI stigma as a driver of HIV, what sorts of strategies they develop in this area, and what obstacles they face in developing and implementing effective responses.

Key findings include:

• 87% of organisations said combating SOGI stigma in society at large was a high priority.
• Just 51% of organisations reported taking action to combat SOGI stigma in society at large.
• 72% highlighted restrictive laws as a key obstacle in implementing effective strategies in this area.
• 85% stressed funding constraints as a major limitation.
• 78% of organisations self-assessed their strategies as unsatisfactory.

World Aids Conference 2014

The report will be presented at the MSMGF Pre-Conference to the International AIDS Conference will be held in Melbourne, Australia on July 19 – 20. This year’s theme is: Setting the Pace: Gay Men, MSM, and Transgender People in the Global AIDS Response.

For more information on the World AIDS Conference 2014 see the official website.

LGBTI communities and their allies came together to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Lesotho, for only the second year running in 2014. Over 200 people came together for a march through the the centre of the capital, Maseru, as well as for speeches, discussions and performances, in a series of events co-ordinated by the Matrix Support Group.

A full gallery of pictures and short essay about the events can be found at The Hub – a locally based social justice project, and 76 crimes blog also published a write-up of the events here.

200 LGBTI activists, supporters and allies march through the streets of Maseru, May 17, 2014. Source: The Hub

This years IDAHOT actions were particularly notable for their vibrancy – with many participants dressed in rainbow colours – as well as for the fact that Lesotho is one of around 80 countries in the world which criminalises same-sex intimacy.

Local activists note that in practice the law is not enforced as such, but is used as a tool to intimidate and coerce members of local LGBTI communities. More information can be found in this brief report.

The Matrix Support Group has been working since 2008 (and was formally registered in 2010, by the Lesotho Law Office), to empower local LGBTI communities, and to support responses to the country’s HIV/AIDS epidemic.

More Photos from IDAHOT 2014 in Lesotho from The Hub

Madagascar was one of various countries in which the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia was commemorated for the very first time in 2014. Local activists and supporters organised a pioneering series of events, spread over two days, with the support of the support of the local NAC (SE/CNLS) and UNAIDS, in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Poster created for the IDAHOT 2014 commemorations in Madagascar – in Malagasy and French.

Key actions around the IDAHOT 2014 included:

• Availability of flyers and posters in key locations (Karaokes, Pubs/Bars, Discos, IFM-Institut Franco-Malgache…) from Friday, May 16, onwards.
• Sensitisation in some Karaokes with distribution of condoms and flyers – Friday day / night
• A press Conference on Saturday morning by the NGOs with the support and presence of the NAC and UNAIDS – a banner will be printed for the occasion.
• A disco night on Saturday evening dedicated to IDAHOT.
• Within the U.N. House the results of the 2013 UN Madagascar wide survey on homophobia and the posters with the world map were also distributed.
• Also, in the week around May 17, the “Malagasy short movies festival” was hosted at the IFM, where one of the movies in the contest was about homosexuality.

Photos from the events

Newspaper coverage of the events, in the Madagascar Laza, and photos of the press conference and discussion event on the 17th. Courtesy of UN AIDS Indian Ocean – via their facebook page.

Further information

You can find out more about UN AIDS Indian Ocean via their website and facebook page.

Poster from this year’s actions

For the first time ever, communities in Liberia commemorated the IDAHOT with a Freedom Festival under the theme ‘Freedom of Expression’ which included a whole series of activities such as speeches, creative sessions, a fashion show and poetry competition.

On Saturday May 17, 2014, Stop AIDS in Liberia (SAIL) with support from ACTION AID Liberia, under the EPR project, held a Freedom Festival as an event marking the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia under the theme of Freedom Of Expression. The occasion brought together 50 participants, including members of the LGBT community and its partners. The action had three major objectives:

-To create an enabling environment where members of the LGBT community can express who they are (from a creative approach using Songs, poetry, drawing, dress code, fashion, games and a final plenary session).
-To give members of the LGBT community the opportunity to share their stories how homophobic sentiments can have an adverse effect.
-To the present the film “Call Me Kuchu” which served as a basis for a interactive discussion among LGBT members themselves.

In a welcoming statement Mr. Stephen K. McGill, Executive Director of Stop AIDS in Liberia, told a gathering of LGBT members and allies that it was significant in that activities can be held to increase awareness on the effects that homophobic sentiments can have on LGBT people. He further noted the fundamental rights to which all are entitled must be claimed and adhered to without any violation.

Communities in Liberia commemorate IDAHOT for the first time ever – May 17, 2014.

In a statement about the background of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, he highlighted that in 2009 a global agenda was created to put an end to the many violations and abuses LGBT people were encountering on a daily basis. He said homophobic situations have caused people to lose their lives, family and freedom to express themselves without any form of discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Luckmore Jalisi who is the youth advisor at ACTION AID Liberia concluded by saying the current wave of new Anti-Gay Laws across Africa must stop and that national governments must protect every citizen regardless of who they are or how they identify.

An interactive session was also held among participant attending the program. The purpose of the group exercise was to give participants a chance to express their creativity, by spelling the word Freedom of Expression on flash cards using the rainbow colours, and also to participate in photo shots, with anti-homophobic messages, created by members of the LGBT community.

The day culminated with a fashion festival where people in the LGBT community came together to parade a runway in different styles. A poetry competition was also held. Prizes were presented by Weng and Maryelea of ACTION AID Liberia for the fashion and poetry session respectively.

The freedom festival ended with a photo shoot and opportunity to socialise.

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. During the first two weeks of May, Hong Kong’s twittersphere was blasted by the pictures of rainbow laces that the Committee produced and distributed to build awareness in the lead up to the Day. Under the theme of “Express yourself, express your rights, express your support!”, ANZ Bank sponsored the rainbow laces campaign.

Transgender Awareness Session

In partnership with Standard Chartered Bank, the series continued by hosting an Active Transgender Awareness Session on May 14th, as a way of putting specific emphasis on the importance of equal rights for transgender communities in Hong Kong.

Candlelight Vigil

The commemorations of IDAHOT 2014 continued further when the IDAHOT Candlelight Vigil took place on May 16th. At the vigil event, organisers screened a series of short videos and presented a panel discussion which shed light on stigma and discrimination, as experienced by LGBT individuals in Hong Kong and worldwide. Amongst the panelists were Geena Rocero, an American/Filipino trans supermodel who recently rose to fame by bravely sharing her coming out story via TEDTalk. Rocero spoke out on the need for expanded legal rights for all trans individuals.

Accompanying Rocero on the stage, Michael J. Morrill, Mr Gay Hong Kong 2013, also shared his experiences of the stigma he faced on a daily basis, as an openly HIV-positive gay man.

The event ended with the audience lighting up candles in remembrance of the victims of hate crimes from Hong Kong’s LGBT community, and from around the world.

The whole vigil event can be watched here:

Street Exhibition

On May 17 itself, a street exhibition showcasing the discrimination that LGBT people are facing internationally and locally was organized by Gay Harmony, Women’s Coalition of HKSAR and , and Rainbow Action. Aiming to raise awareness of the suffering of LGBT people, and to promote anti-discrimination legislation around sexual orientation and gender identity, the exhibition graced the pedestrian lanes of Great George Street at Causeway Bay, with art installations and performances. The organisers also held a ‘Domino down’ event – building a legislative Rainbow Road, where over 400 domino bricks (as a symbol of discrimination) were knocked down to show the six-color rainbow as a symbol of equality.

In Namibia, for IDAHOT 2014, HIV/AIDS organisations called out for protection and advancement of Freedom of Expression for LGBTI people in order to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the country.

The AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) in Windhoek, Namibia, sent out a press release on May 16 in commemoration of the IDAHOT, to ask Southern African governments to respect and protect the right to Freedom of Expression of LGBTI people to effectively address the spread of HIV.

“The right to freedom of expression is crucial for the HIV response because it provides protection for human rights activists, LGBTI and other civil society organisations who disseminate information on HIV prevention and provide HIV-related services to LGBTI people living in countries, which criminalise adult same sex sexual intercourse,” explained Michaela Clayton, Director of ARASA.

“Unfortunately, the lives of most LGBTI people and their allies in this region are characterised by threats, harassment, extortion, violence and prosecution, for talking about sexual orientation or gender identity issues or for expressing their sexual orientation and gender identities,” she added.

In the press release ARASA highlights the fact that the right to Freedom of Expression is guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as well as the Constitutions of most countries in the region but that the real situation for LGBTI people in sub-Saharan Africa, where the HIV epidemic is very strong, this right is under attack in many ways.

As an example for these attacks, the case of Paul Kasonkomona is mentioned. Kasonkomana was arrested last year in Zambia for openly speaking out for the rights of LGBTI people in order to comprehensively address HIV. The statement also addresses the Anti-Homosexuality Acts that have been put in place in Uganda and Nigeria which aside from increasing acts of violence against LGBTI people also puts NGOs who provide services HIV related and other support to LGBTI at risk.

“The right to freedom of expression is important on its own, but even more so because it is essential for the realization of other human rights. Clearly these draconian laws are meant to limit people’s ability to associate and access information, which will enable them to make critical health and other life choices,” said Clayton.

“We implore that governments protect the right to freedom of expression so that all NGOs and citizens can speak their minds freely and access information without fear of subjugation,” she added.

In South Africa, various community groups organised actions for the IDAHOT in at least five cities (Cape Town, Malmesbury, Johannesburg, Durban and KwaZulu Natal). The events embraced topics such as Freedom of Expression, homo-, trans- and xenophobia, HIV/AIDS, progressive voices of faith, and LGBTI community pride. Actions included film screenings, panel discussions, the start of building a new community center, music and theatre performances, poems and public marches.

Johannesburg

In Johannesburg, leading LGBTI rights and arts organisation, Iranti-org, held an event which highlighted the importance of the 2014 global focus on Freedom of Expression. Together with several LGBTI organisations such Transgender Intersex Africa (TIA), Vutha LGBTI (in the Vaal region), and Uthingo-Daveyton, and in cooperation with Constitution Hill in Johannesburg they organised an event with panel discussions, art performances, such as poems and spoken words, a documentary screening and music.

You can watch a video report of the IDAHOT 2014 in Johannesburg here:

The event took place on May 17 at the Old Fort Prison at Constitution Hill, where anti-apartheid activists were detained for their activism. Events consisted of the following programme:

• Registration and welcome – Cindy Molefe: Director of the Programme
• Opening and Welcoming: Emilia Potenza
• Poems by: Lindo Miya, Maureen Velile Majola
• Screening: Protected, yet not free! A documentary from Iranti-org
• Panel Discussion – Panel Moderator: Cindy Molefe – Speakers: Thomas Ndayiragije, IGLHRC – Gugu Mandla, Iranti-org – Steve Letsike, Anova Health Institute – Phindi Malaza, FEW – Deliwe Qwabe, Traditional Healer – Mosa Mahlangu, TIA – Constant Ngwenya, Traditional Healer
– Madoda Sibeko-Bishop, Sufficient Grace Ministries Church – Summary of the discussion: Jabu Pereira
• Lunch
• Interactive messaging and photos
• Entertainment: Poetry and Music
• Sika
• Maureen Velile Majola
• Gabriel Hoosain Khan
• Selogadi Mampane: And All The Children of the Rainbow Shed Tears
• Bianca, performer
• Open mic
• Closure and vote of thanks

The 15-minute documentary ‘Protected Yet Not Free’, which was produced by iranti-org focused on bodily and gender expression of young lesbian students at Phomolong School, who were suspended for wearing pants. The other key areas of the documentary focus on a young lesbian woman, Deliwe Qwabe, who trained as a traditional healer, and believes that the visibility of her sexuality is integral to her traditional values.

The panel discussion afterwards discussed the issues raised in the documentary and highlighted the importance of the documentary as a tool for education about LGBTI rights and as an advocacy tool for outreach to communities and to government. Part of the discussion was also the potential regression of rights for LGBTI persons and of freedom of expression. In the spoken word and music session which followed, queer performing artists challenged gender norms and violence and celebrated diversity and freedom.

Prior to May 17, iranti-org team had conducted interviews with traditional, cultural and religious leaders, with a focus on religious freedom and the right to one’s sexual orientation and gender expression. The digital stories were presented at the event on May 17.

Jacob Jones performs their hit song Drag Queen. Photo by: Lebo Ntladi. Source: Iranti-org

Cape Town

In solidarity with the worldwide International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia commemorations, a team of creative artists, directors and coordinators put together a project, called ‘theodrama’ which brings together art, drama and spirituality. The performance addresses homo-, trans- and xenophobia as well as HIV/AIDS and consisted of installation, performance art, and storytelling, multimedia and live choral music. It was interactive and elicited emotional responses.
“Other” – a sacred journey from exile to belonging, forms Part 1 in a trilogy of theodramas, and was presented on May 16 and 17, and took place at the Centre for Christian Spirituality in Cape Town. The play was presented with support from Inclusive & Affirming Ministries and Gender DynamiX and had a turn-over of 65 in the two nights.

What is “theodrama”? Is it theatre? Is it dialogue? A workshop? Worship? Protest, therapy, circus? Art? Yes, it is.

‘Theodrama’ in Cape Town for IDAHOT 2014.

A few of the reactions received:

“One of the most powerful stagings I’ve seen in a long time” – Fahiem Stellenboom, marketing manager, Baxter Theatre, Cape Town

“It was so beautiful! It was like – world class! There was much love in the space.”
– Susan Groves, core process therapist

“Het baie baie gehou van ‘Other!” – Niël le Roux, previous director, Suidoosterfees

“Thanks so much for Friday night’s presentation. We felt very privileged to be there and enjoyed this excellent ‘installation‘ – so much to think about and such honest and vulnerable storytelling. Deeply moving. Keep going!!!” – Robert Steiner, minister, Rondebosch United Church

Durban

The Upper Room Communion, with the support of PFLAG – Same Love, Durban Lesbian and Gay Contact Centre / Durban Pride, KZN Bears, Durban International LGBT Film Festival and Durban GALTA (Gay and Lesbian Tourism Association) organised the ‘IDAHOT 2014 Beach Walk’, a march along the beachfront of Durban, which highlighted the global theme Freedom of Expression. The participants and organisers of the walk also expressed their solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe, Uganda and elsewhere in Africa where the rights to Freedom of Expression for LGBTI people are under serious attack.

IDAHOT 2014 in Durban, South Africa. Source: The Upper Room Communion

Pietermaritzburg

The Gay & Lesbian Network in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal also celebrated IDAHOT with a march on May 17. The procession started at Freedom Square on Church Street, and ended at the KZN Museum on Loop Street. The march stood as a strong symbol of pride for LGBTI communities.

Upon arrival at the museum, an open mic session was on the go. Poets, musicians and dancers took to the stage to commemorate this historic day of the year. Perfomances included a cover of Beyonce’s Drunk in love hit by a local band, Petunia and the Mob. A 21y/o Durban based social blogeer, Sandy Nene was the keynote speaker. He advised his fellow homosexuals on the importance of owning up to their rights and responsibility could pave a way for a more accepting and supporting environment. Playing a role in the societal initiatives would create a sound visibility and acknowledgement of homosexuals within the communities.

The Gay & Lesbian Network is a LGBT organisation that works for the rights and support of LGBT people in and around KwaZulu Natal.

Source: Gay & Lesbian Network

Malmesbury

The start of constructing a new community centre in the city of Malmesbury – 30 minutes North of Cape Town –  called ‘CALEM Rumi’s Isiphephelo’ was launched on May 17. Run by CALEM, the ‘Confederation of Associations LGBT, Euro-Africans or Muslims’, the centre will become the first international, inclusive, self-sustainable Muslims’ centre (an inclusive mosque, a refugees’ shelter & a progressive imam-es training institute) in South Africa.

The goal of the center is to ‘promote empowerment, learning, sharing and freedom’. It will provide refuge for healing from persecution trauma, and will welcome, train and empower vulnerable individuals, especially LGBT people from a Muslim background, with a priority for those coming from the Middle-East and Africa, and for those thrown out of their homes, communities or countries because of their sexual orientation. The centre will also welcome and train HIV positive individuals, and women from a Muslim background, in need of support, who are discriminated because of their HIV status or gender. The centre is scheduled to be ready and open by mid-June 2014.

Promotional material for the new community centre ‘CALEM RUMI’s Isiphephelo’, launched May 17, 2014.

Several groups came together for different events around the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014, in the Motswana capital, Gaborone. Actions included a one-day queer theatre festival, a press conference and panel discussion, poem recitals, song, dance and storytelling, as well as a march and candlelight vigil.

Various groups come together for diverse IDAHOT 2014 series

The Botswana Network On Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA), Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO) and Rainbow Identity Association (RIA), and their partners, commemorated IDAHOT 2014 through various activities spread through three days – as outlined in their press release, published ahead of the day:

“Day one of the commemorations will start with a press conference and followed by a panel discussion under the theme ‘Is Botswana a Homo-transphobic Country, Perspective from affected communities).’ The second day will be a night of spoken word against Homophobia and Transphobia on the 16th of May (from 1800hrs) at Thapong Arts Centre (opposite Village Clinic) at Village, Gaborone. It is at this space that the LGBTIQs will express themselves artistically through poem recitals, song, dance and storytelling. The last day will be celebrated by having a power march from Game City Supermall to Kgale Hill at 0800am. Once at the hill, a candlelight vigil will be conducted and multi-lingual prayers will be recited by different attendants. The festivities will continue from 1400hrs with an Expression show held at Somarelo Tikologo Ecological Park.”

First “Queer Shorts” series held in Gaborone

Katlego K Kol-Kes staged her 3rd IDAHO event in Gaborone, Botswana, on May 17 2014. The Queer Shorts Showcase is posited to be an annual event, and 2014 marked the inaugural staging. Featuring 5 short productions by Katlego K Kol-Kes, Queer Shorts Showcase, expressed LGBT themes through various means. Kol-Kes was joined by 3 other directors from Gaborone with the sole mission of addressing the 2014 IDAHO theme: Freedom of Expression.

The productions were all between 10 and 15 minutes long. These productions are: Under My Roof (Institutionalised Homophobia), Horses, Rivers, Mountains, Men (Discovery/Coming Out), Butchered (Romantic Drama), A Real Woman (Defining a Trans* reality), and Sakeng (Male Privilege and Responsibility). With a company of 20, comprised of dancers and actors, the inaugural Queer Shorts Showcase promises to be an enlightening and entertaining evening of theatre and activism.

Queer Shorts Poster

Media coverage

• Star Africa: ‘Botswana agency bars gays from donating blood‘

The organisation invites everyone to kiss publicly with the goal to make the demands of the LGBT population in Ecuador visible and to make use of the right to Freedom of Expression.

The association Silueta X is a grassroots organisation that was founded on May 12, 2008 and is legally constituted since May 5, 2010 under the ministerial approval #9989. It is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to fight for Human Rights of LGBTI people, having young transgender and transexual women, men and intersex people as their target group. In addition, their work also focuses on Sexual Health Care (preventing the impact of HIV in trans population and the risk of illnesses) and environmental care. Silueta X was founded by Diane Rodriguez, who has established herself as one of the major leaders of transsexual Ecuadorians.

For more information visit the organisation’s webpage or their Facebook site.