For IDAHO 2010, activists in dozens of countries (across Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America) came together for the “Great Global Kiss-in” for May 17. Together with Gays.com, the IDAHO Committee produced a video compilation of the different kiss-ins, which they released on the day, and was shared by tens of thousands of people on social media:

IDAHO 2010 Great Global Kiss-in

But even with just a few participants, and a smart location, the results can be very popular for sharing on social media – especially since participants often work together with organisers to spread the word online. You just need to video the action and spread the word!

To help get your message heard, you could think about asking community organisations in your local town, city or country to share your video, and also encouraging participants and their friends to spread the word too. You can also create a short text or blog post (or even write a short article) which could accompany the video, to explain what the significance of the action is.

Choosing a strong location is also key – somewhere recognisable is great, such as a famous landmark or city square. Government buildings, town halls and embassies/consulates could also be interesting choices.

Location, location, location! Activists in Paraguay hold a kiss-in outside the national Congress, for May 17, 2013.

Another idea is to hold a kiss-in at – our outside – a restaurant, bar or company in your city which has discriminated against LGBTI people, for example by not letting them show affection for each other, or by failing to take action in a case of violence or discrimination.

Different ideas

One neat idea is to ask people to attend dressed in their favourite colour of the pride flag – creating an assortment of bright rainbow colours on the day. Great for videos and photos. If you like, you could also choreograph the act, so that couples come together in the same colour, and line themselves up to form the six colours of the flag from left to right (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet). Or in the form of a rainbow arc.

Another idea is to turn the act into a flashmob style kiss-in, where one couple starts kissing, and then a few more, and then – as if naturally from amongst the crowds – suddenly tens and then hundreds of people come “out” of the crowds to kiss each other, as if a wave of love has suddenly swept people up! Especially cool for videos, and also for the reactions of people watching.

An online kiss-in is another option, where people are invited to send pictures of themselves and their partner of choice kissing – via a particular hashtag, or to your social media inbox. This could then be made into a collage of kisses for release online on the day, or as part of a community exhibition.

Kiss-in alternative? How about Rainbow Lips?

Banner printed with people’s “rainbow lip” contributions for IDAHOT 2014 in Mainz, Germany. Accompanied by a Rainbow Flashmob balloon release 

One project, from Mainz in Germany, put a slightly different twist on the classic kiss-in, for IDAHOT in 2013 and 2014.

They provided different coloured lipsticks for people to paint their very own “rainbow lips” – first in the street (and as part of an exhibition), and then (in 2014) as part of an online campaign, with people sending their “rainbow lips” photos in.

As they did, photos could either be done with different lipsticks, or by painting the different colours onto a “normal” photo afterwards, using a basic graphics programme. Once the contributions were in, they made for great campaigning visuals – like the banner in this photo!

Organised under the banner of “Kiss the Pride”, you can find out more about the campaign on their website and facebook page (in German).

For something extra, maybe you could merge these ideas, for example creating a rainbow lip kiss-in (or a rainbow lip kiss-in flashmob!) which is then shared by video on social media.

If kissing isn’t your thing, how about a Free Hugs Event or a Hand-Holding Flashmob? Similar choices with love, expression, visibility, community well-being at their heart too.

As in previous years, various events in several cities were organised in commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Ecuador

The organization Alfil from Quito, organized in the framework of the activities planned for the week of May 17 a show of videos/short films, signed a public manifesto to be sent to the President of Ecuador, and held community performances.

Meanwhile the Silueta X organization co-ordinated a series of public kiss-ins in several cities in Ecuador, from Cuenca to Guayaquil.

In the week around the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2014, the Association Men and Women of Panama developed various activities, in different cities, to promote equality and human rights for LGBTI communities.

The group of the organization, which is based in Chiriqui province, held a public march to celebrate this day under the theme “Leaving Traces”. Meanwhile, the group located in Panama City conducted an event in conjunction with the Office of Human Rights High Commissioner. A kiss-in was also held at Panama city Metro station, which you can see in the video here:

As in previous years, activists organised a Besatón (kiss-in) outside of the National Congress building in commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The initiative was organised by the group SOMOSGAY, at the Plaza de Armas, opposite the Paraguayan Congress, where participants (both LGBT and straight allies) dressed in the colors of the rainbow for this celebration.

Paraguayan LGBTI activists and allies hold a kiss-in outside of the National Congress for IDAHOT 2014

Under the slogan “All we need is love” and in a campaign which courted both national and international press, the IDAHOT 2014 Besatón was attended by Paraguayan Congressional deputies, who year after year demonstrate their support for LGBTI rights.

“Today, like every year is an invitation for people to join us in front of the National Congress, which is the residence of the power of a republic, to demand that the Republic of Paraguay recognizes full equality of rights for all” said Simon Cazal , CEO of SOMOSGAY in an interview for the newspaper Ultima Hora.

“The only thing Paraguay has different in relation to the Middle East is that homosexuality is not punished by law between adults, but we also have no legislative framework to protect us”, concluded the director SOMOSGAY in an interview for the digital portal.

The event captured the attention of national and international media.

Through this and other actions, SOMOSGAY sought to fight hatred of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and to sensitize the public, in an act which stands as a symbol of hope and diversity.

As last year, there will be a march towards the Mainz cathedral square, where they will have a Kiss-In at 5 pm, including a balloon release and hoisting of the large rainbow kiss photo mosaics.

This campaign and event is organised in a joint effort by QueerNet Rheinland-Pfalz e.V., an initiative which works towards a better visibility and awareness of queer interests in the region and beyond, and Amnesty International. QueerNet’s aim is to network different groups and organisations to work together on political and cultural project and promote LGBTI rights and equality.

For more information about the campaign, visit their website  or Facebook page.

Here is a small taste of the event:

This event which has been conducted since 2010, has its focus on the promotion of the extension of rights for the LGBT community, the struggle against HomoLesboTransPhobia, the visibility and the demand for the right to be in the mark of Freedom of Expression. The density that the event gained has been the focus of discussion of the more conservative political parties of Paraguay who tried to prohibit the event through the law but who have not been successful thanks to the tireless work done by civil society organisations.

The “Besaton” will take place in front of the National Congress of Paraguay in the city of Asunción on May 19, 12pm.

The organisation SOMOSGAY aims towards building a association of solidarity which is committed to the innovation of effective strategies against Homophobia, to improve the prevention of HIV/AIDS, to defend the rights of people affected by HIV/AIDS and to advance Human Rights in Paraguay.

For more information you can visit their website or Facebook page.