IDAHOTB » #internationalaction https://dayagainsthomophobia.org DAHOT International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Fri, 30 Nov 2018 14:07:48 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.22 Amnesty international join in IDAHO mobilisations worldwide https://dayagainsthomophobia.org/amnesty-international-join-in-idaho-mobilisations-worldwide/ https://dayagainsthomophobia.org/amnesty-international-join-in-idaho-mobilisations-worldwide/#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2014 10:45:24 +0000 http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/?p=3362 Amnesty International members worldwide are today engaging in targeted actions addressed to the governments of Jamaica, Ukraine and South Africa.

“Simply because of who they are, LGBTI people in many countries face discrimination, violence and fear as a part of their daily lives. On the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, Amnesty International is calling on thousands of activists to make a strong show of solidarity to help change attitudes and realities in Jamaica, Ukraine and South Africa.”

Emily Gray of the Gender, Sexuality and Identity Programme at Amnesty International
]]> https://dayagainsthomophobia.org/amnesty-international-join-in-idaho-mobilisations-worldwide/feed/ 0 Consultancy group OUTNOW releases elements of major survey for IDAHO https://dayagainsthomophobia.org/consultancy-group-outnow-releases-elements-of-major-survey-for-idaho/ https://dayagainsthomophobia.org/consultancy-group-outnow-releases-elements-of-major-survey-for-idaho/#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2014 10:37:44 +0000 http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/?p=3360 Media release from OutNow consultancy

 

New report reveals homophobic discrimination and violence is endemic in many countries around the world
- International LGBT2020 Homophobia Report reveals widespread homophobia, violence and harassment of LGBT people in countries all over the world
- Most LGBT people globally are not out at work due to fears of harassment and bullying
- Over half of LGBT people in most countries believe that there are issues of homophobia and transphobia in their own workplace
Sydney, Australia (OUTNOW) – May 16, 2013 — Data released from the world’s largest research program into the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people has revealed the extent to which LGBT people suffer harassment, discrimination, refusal of goods and services and violence because of their sexuality. The LGBT2020 study measures these data on a global scale for the very first time.

 The findings released in conjunction with IDAHO day (The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia http://www.dayagainsthomophobia.org) which is held annually on the 17 May, give the clearest picture to date about the widespread levels of harassment and discrimination that LGBT people face on a daily basis in countries right around the world.
The ‘Out Now Global International LGBT2020 Homophobia Report‘ research was conducted by the worldʼs leading LGBT consulting firm Out Now Global as part of the ‘Out Now Global LGBT2020 Study’ /lgbt2020 . This groundbreaking project is the largest global research project into the lives of LGBT people that has ever been undertaken, and to date the LGBT2020 study has collected data in 12 languages from almost 100,000 LGBT respondents in 21 countries around the globe on a variety of topics, include workplace and discrimination issues.

Countries sampled during 2012 for the LGBT2020 research report include: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay. (Those in bold are included in the report released by Out Now for 2013 IDAHO Day.)
The results highlight several key global trends for LGBT people among findings that are relatively consistent across the various countries tested, including the countries in the LGBT2020 study not included in this new report. These data reveal the prevalence of homophobia, which is still endemic and appears to be culturally ingrained in societies globally.

The new ‘Out Now Global International LGBT2020 Homophobia Report’ highlights that discrimination, harassment and violence is occurring to LGBT people because of their sexuality all over the world, and shows that even in the most progressive western countries not everyone who identifies as being either LGB or T is able to be completely ‘out’ or open about their sexuality either at work, with friends or with family.
The research also reveals that more than 50% of respondents tested believe there are problems of varying degrees of severity for LGBT people in their own workplace.

While these findings highlight the extent of discrimination and harassment of LGBT people they may only reveal part of the problem. The research shows that even in a country as socially progressive as the Netherlands for example, the percentage of LGBT people who are able to be out to everyone at work (65%), with family (77%) and with their friends (83%) is not total showing that issues in coming out are real and affect interpersonal relationships across society. This ability to be ‘out’ drops to just 17% (at work), 21% (with family) and 26% (with friends) in Japan, where cultural norms make it far more ‘unacceptable’ for LGBT people to be open about their sexuality or gender identity.

The new LGBT2020 homophobia figures reveal the true lack of visibility for LGBT people in society, particularly in the workplace, where even in a country as reportedly accepting as the Netherlands –  more than one in every three (35%) of all LGBT respondents feel that they are unable to completely be themselves with their colleagues at work.

This lack of visibility because of reluctance amongst many LGBT people to come out about their sexuality or gender identity is explained by another finding of the research.
There is a very real threat that out and open LGBT people risk harassment, discrimination and violence – both verbal abuse and physical assaults – in the societies in which they live, all over the world due to their sexuality or gender identity.

The ‘Out Now Global International LGBT2020 Homophobia Report’ shows that there is a particular lack of visibility (known as ‘being in the closet’) for LGBT people globally which is especially prevalent in certain countries including Japan, Turkey, Mexico, France and Brazil. With fewer visible ‘out’ LGBT people in these countries the actual levels of homophobia could be far higher than reported as people who feel unable to be out are often adopting this tactic as part of a strategy to minimise homophobic and transphobic incidents against themselves.

There is a strong correlation with how out people are in a particular country in their places of work, with how well they feel LGBT people generally are treated in the workplace, indicating that countries where people are less likely to be out at work are also those countries where LGBT respondents feel LGBT people in the workplace are treated poorly.

Issues of homophobia and transphobia are not defined by levels of development within nations.
The findings of the new ‘Out Now Global International LGBT2020 Homophobia Report’ show that countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, France and Germany (amongst others) all have significant cultural issues affecting how open LGBT people can be in all levels of society, and respondents from these countries also report worryingly high levels of harassment, violence and discrimination which they suffer because of their sexuality or gender identity.

In the USA for example, 59% of respondents believe that there are issues of concern to them regarding how LGBT people are currently treated while at work, which may go some way to explaining why only 44% of LGBT respondents from the USA are out to everyone in the workplace.
Similarly in the UK, only 52% of respondents said that they felt able to be ‘out to everyone’ at work, and 15% of respondents indicated that they had suffered harassment in the workplace during the past year.

It appears that no matter where LGBT people live in the world today, too many still run very real daily risks of suffering harassment, bullying, violence and intimidation solely on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Ian Johnson, CEO of Out Now Global was keen to add context to the research. “The findings of this ‘Out Now Global International LGBT2020 Homophobia Report’ show that we have a long way to go in achieving a society which is truly welcoming and accepting of sexual and gender diversity,” Johnson said. “Out Now hopes this data goes some way to helping highlight the very real problems of homophobia and transphobia which many LGBT people encounter every day, in all parts of the world. Of course one of the most important things we say at Out Now is that averages mask diversity. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ LGBT person. There are just individuals. At Out Now one of our touchstones is that ‘LGBT’ spells people. People around the world living diverse lives – yet all having at least one characteristic that unites them – being a member of the minority group within societies known as LGBT.”
Joel Bedos from the IDAHO Committee said: “The Out Now Global LGBT2020 Study will no doubt provide renewed momentum for companies to increase their commitment to Human Rights for all, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression – not only within their companies, but within the societies at large that they live and work in. By supporting local LGBT advocates who work every day to fight against stigma and discrimination, companies are proving vital in implementing a core component of their broader corporate social responsibility.”
Media contact:
Darren Cooper, Out Now darren.cooper@OutNowConsulting.com
About Out Now
Established in 1992, Out Now is the world’s leading LGBT marketing organization and has for two decades been relied upon by many of the world’s leading brands, organisations and tourism bodies for specialized gay and lesbian marketing insight and expertise. Services include research, training, strategy and communications. Out Now clients include IBM, Toyota, Citibank, German National Tourist Office, TUI, Lufthansa, Berlin Tourism Marketing, Vienna Tourist Board, Visit Manchester, Stockholm Visitors Board and Lloyds TSB Banking Group.
]]> https://dayagainsthomophobia.org/consultancy-group-outnow-releases-elements-of-major-survey-for-idaho/feed/ 0 UN Secretary General Addresses IDAHO International Conference https://dayagainsthomophobia.org/un-secretary-general-addresses-idaho-international-conference/ https://dayagainsthomophobia.org/un-secretary-general-addresses-idaho-international-conference/#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2014 10:33:44 +0000 http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/?p=3357 The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, has addressed participants of a high level intergovernmental conference organised by the Government of the Netherlands for the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia 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.”

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