As in Serbia, many thousands of people were affected by floods in Croatia, in the lead up to May 17, making some actions non-viable, and shifting activists’ attentions to supporting relief work. Nevertheless, various events did take place around the IDAHOT 2014, with actions planned in the cities of Zagreb and Rijeka, and on the mountain range of Petrova Gora. The Croatian government was also represented at the 2nd Annual IDAHO Forum in Valletta, Malta.

IDAHO Week Rijeka 2014

In Rijeka, communities came together for an IDAHO Week around May 17, 2014. Organisers advised, in the lead up to the event:

“Lesbian Organization Rijeka LORI proudly marks IDAHO in Rijeka for the second time and invites all to IDAHO Week Rijeka 2014. On May 17th at 9 PM at Art-kino we have organized screening of documentary film ‘Once again’, the very first Croatian documentary on lives of lesbians and transgender people. Authors of the film Noah Pintaric and Ana Opalic will announce the screening and talk to the audience afterwards, answer the questions related to the film. This warm movie follows lives of 4 lesbians and one transgender person in a five-year period and gives insight into their relationships, friendships, activism and creative work.”

For more information check out Rijeka LORI’s website or the facebook event page.

Laugh Out Proud

Rijeka LORI, together with other groups also held an event on Saturday, May 17th, with the main goal of raising (positive) awareness of the country’s upcoming Life Partnership Act (civil unions for homosexual couples). In the evening, there was a free showing of Stephen Fry’s documentary “Out There”, as well as stand-up event “Laugh Out Proud” with performances by LGBT comedians from UK and Croatia. Performers included Scott Capurro (UK), Lara King (UK) and Marina Orsag (CRO).

Organisers explained before the Day that the aim of event is to fight homophobia and transphobia with the strongest possible weapon – humor, and the goal of the project is to educate people about the LGBT community through laughter and in good atmosphere.

The entire project ‘LAUGH OUT PROUD’ is funded by Horyou, the Action Oriented Social Network for the Social Good, organized by Studio Smijeha association, Centre for Civil Initiatives Porec, Croatia and Standup.rs association.

Dance Out Proud in Zagreb

On May 17, LGBTI communities in Zagreb, came together from 23:00 for a “Dance Out Proud event at the Hotpot Bar. For more information see the organiser’s facebook page.

LGBT Affirmative Counselling Course

Also around the IDAHOT 2014, the University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce in Zagreb, offered an LGBT affirmative counselling practice for psychology students, on May 14. This was part of the elective course “Applied developmental psychology” led by professor Goranka Lugomer-Armano, PhD, Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb.

Action by Coalition of Groups Merges IDAHOT 2014 and Anti-Fascist Commemoration

The organizers of the event (well-known institutions in Croatia such as the Serbian National Council, the Alliance of Anti-Fascist Fighters in Croatia as well as local municipalities), have this year decided to jointly commemorate this great anti-fascist victory and the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. With this act they stand for a clear message that the struggle against homophobia is also the struggle against fascism and that anti-fascism does not only belong to the culture of remembrance, but is also a vital part of current struggles for better future, not only in Croatia, but also all over Europe.

Organisers explained, in the lead up to the event:

In times of current economic and social crisis that sows poverty and at the same time generates attacks not only on LGBTQ people, but also immigrants, national minorites, workers etc., we find it more important than ever to remember our antifascist legacy and use it to unite our seemingly separate struggles in one common goal: defending human rights and demanding equality for all. As an activist choir, we call upon mutual cooperation and solidarity of all groups fighting for the equality of us all.

Le Zbor, a lesbian feminist choir, performed as part of the action:

This year we are giving a performance at the 70th anniversary of a major anti-fascist event in Croatia: the breakthrough of the fascist army lines that took place on the site called Petrova gora and during which 730 partisans and 12 000 civilians, mostly women and children, were finally liberated from atrocities committed by fascist forces in this area during WW2.

Le Zbor choir, who participated in the IDAHOT 2014 in Croatia

Le Zbor is a Lesbian Feminist Choir from Zagreb. You can find out more about them and their work on Facebook or on and their website.

Zagreb Pride organised a series of events to commemorate the IDAHOT 2014, which included a focus on LGBT Refugees, Asylum & Migration, and on the rise of neoconservative movements in Europe.

Action on LGBT Refugees, Asylum and Migration

Organisers addressed the topic of LGBT Refugees, Asylum & Migration, with an evening of events planned around the topic of LGBT Asylum and the current situation of (LGBT) asylum in Croatia. This was organised in collaboration with other civil society organisations that also work with asylum seekers and refugees.

As an introduction to IDAHO, on Tuesday the 13th, activists organised a panel called “Immigration. Equality. Views from the LGBTIQ community”, where they addressed the topic of LGBT migration and asylum seekers.

The main goal was to raise awareness amongst the LGBT community that ‘LGBT asylum is something that happens in Croatia too, not just in the other EU countries.’

Conference on Neoconservative Movements in Europe

Another activity was also a conference about the rise of neoconservative movements throughout Europe – activists from some other EU countries were invited to discuss the issue, and to establish a network/coalition that will collaborate in the future.

Government represented at IDAHO Forum 2014 in Malta

Croatia’s Minister of European and Foreign Affairs, Vesna Pusic, also participated in the 2nd Annual International IDAHO Forum in Valletta, Malta (May 13-14). He signed the IDAHO 2014 Declaration of Intent – urging governments to defend and promote LGBTI rights – signed by Ministers from 19 European states in total.

What better way to tune in to the global chorus for LGBTI freedom and equality, but a sing-in? Together, we can promote global harmonies!

As Georgia O’Keeffe once said, ‘Singing has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous… Since I cannot sing, I paint…’

But you could sing! Whatever your ability! Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans community choirs often mark the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia, and community groups – or even just groups of friends – who want to have a good sing as well.

This sort of action could work well if you wanted to perform as part of a local community event – as one attraction, as part of a larger series of events. It could also work well as a video/online action where, once you’re ready, you can record your performance, upload it online and share it with your friends, local community and the world!

This sort of action could work particularly well for community groups who are looking for a well-being action, with community building – as well as visibility (or audibility!) – at its heart.

How to Organise

This is easy enough to organise if you are part of a community choir, but what if you’re not, and you want to get involved?

Well, the most obvious thing to do is to look around first for a local choir director – this could be someone with bags of expertise, or it could be someone with a background in music, good organisational skills and great community spirit !

Alternatively, you could work on this together as a small group, in a more DIY style !

You could simply choose a particular song (rather than people having to study sheet music) and start singing along with it playing, together with a handful of friends or colleagues. Once you’ve sung together a few times, you could then start singing without the song in the background. Once you are happy, you could then introduce some different harmonies, or more complex arrangements.

You could either work this out collectively, or invite one of you to lead the arrangement (or take it in turns). Once you are happy with everything you could just call it a rap (and get ready to record/perform) or you could then invite others to join the song, if you would like to.

You can find more information at choralnet, and on Wikihow, amongst many other resources out there!

You might also find some inspiration below – a quick round-up of different singing projects that have been organised for IDAHOT around the world.

Sing-ins for IDAHOT

For May 17, 2012, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir led the organisation of a worldwide virtual sing-in, with online participation from choirs, musicians and individuals around the world – under the banner of the OutPost Choir project. Singing along to the specially created song, You Make Me Proud, you can watch the video compilation here:

OutPost Choir Project for IDAHO 2012 – Video Compilation

For May 17, 2013, 116 people of totally different abilities, gathered together with the Korean Gay Men’s Human Rights Choir in South Korea, to sing ‘You Make Me Proud’ once again.

The Korean Gay Men’s Human Rights Choir and friends, for IDAHO 2013

The London Gay Men’s Chorus also joined the staff of Gay Star News, and the London Gay Big Band in 2013, to sing their hearts out as part of the Global Rainbow Flashmob campaign for that year. Choirs in Ireland, France and Canada also marked May 17 in 2013, by singing in Cathedrals !

Gay Star News Musical Flashmob in London, IDAHO 2013

In 2014, over 20 different choirs and musicians – from 14 different countries – came together once again to commemorate the IDAHOT 2014, this time as part of a Global Sing-in for the Day.

For more inspiration on how to use singing for social protest, read this excellent article from the WagingNonViolence 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.

In South Korea, communities came together for a photo exhibition focused on queer childhoods as well as a dance & musical flashmob under the banner “Speak UP, Act UP”.

Photo Exhibition

Korean Gay Men’s Human Rights Group Chingusai held a photo exhibition called “The Story I Can’t Tell My Mum” to commemorate the Day. The showcased photos were based on the online submission of the photos of Koreans’ queer childhood, accompanied by their “secret story” of growing up as LGBT individuals. Watch the blurb of the exhibition below.

Dance and Musical Flashmob

The Rainbow Action- a coalition of sexual minority organisations in Korea – added the festivity of the celebration of the Day by holding a dance flash mob in the Daehanmun square on May 17. With the title “Speak UP! Act UP!,” the flashmob aimed to encourage Korean LGBT individuals to embrace their identities and their rights in attaining basic freedom, such as freedom to express their sexual and gender identities. Watch the flashmob on the video below.

In Austria, events took place for the IDAHOT 2014 in at least two cities. Actions were focused on raising awareness of the victims of LGBTI-phobic hate crimes, on the present situation of LGBTI rights in the country, and on the importance of freedom of expression for LGBTI communities.

Rainbow Flash Balloon Release

The groups Homosexuelle Initiative Wien, HOSI (Homosexual Initiative Vienna), To Russia With Love Austria and Queeramnesty organised three different actions to commemorate IDAHOT in Vienna, starting with a rainbow flash event, in which rainbow coloured balloons with personal messages attached to them were released into the sky. This action took place at the Morzinplatz, where the headquarters of the Gestapo were located during the NS-regime and from where homosexuals were deported into the concentration camps.

RainbowFlah Vienna. Source HOSI Wien

IDAHO Classical Concert

In the evening, there was a IDAHO Classical Concert, with the participation of a group of young musicians and music students, from the CMG (Classical Musicans’ Group). The concert was conducted under the banner ‘Spring Is in the Air’ and included classical songs on themes of love and affection.

IDAHO Night

These events were followed by the ‘IDAHO- Night’ which was organised by Queeramnesty. The party focused attention on the situation for LGBTI communities and civil society in general in Russia, activists from Queeramnesty informed at the B72 (the venue). The night was accompanied by the bands ‘Petra und der Wolf’ and ‘Clara Luzia’.

The groups HOSI Salzburg, and the Homosexual Initiative in Salzburg, in an joint effort with other local groups, organised the Walk 4 IDAHO demonstration, as well as a party on May 17. The organisers wanted to use this event to show the importance of freedom of expression for LGBTI people worldwide.

Walk 4 IDAHO Salzburg

The Walk 4 IDAHO 2014 was organised to raise awareness within society that LGBTI people worldwide are still confronted with discrimination, violence, prosecution, abuse and murder. The participants of the demonstration also made clear that in Austria LGBTI people cannot enjoy full equal rights and social acceptance, yet. After the demonstration there was a Party at the 3Stein Gaybar.

HOSI Salzburg is a group that works for the region of Salzburg, Bavaria and Oberösterreich for over 30 years now. They offer support, meeting points, information material, consulting and much more to LGBTI people and people your are interested in LGBTI issues. The 20-30 volunteers at HOSI Salzburg also organise events and activities and they publish the magazine COMING IN, 4 times a year.

In Macedonia, various LGBTI and human rights groups, as well as their allies, organised a wide variety of events around the IDAHOT 2014, in what local activists described as the most beautiful, peaceful and important May 17.

We thank activists at LGBTI Support Center for drafting the majority of this report.

Flashmob & city park event

The National Network against Homophobia and Transphobia of Macedonia held a public activity / flashmob against homophobia and transphobia as a way of launching their main activities for May 17 this year.

A public event for IDAHOT also took place in cooperation with municipal authorities in the City Park. The event included a music program, speeches by LGBTI and human rights activists and experts, as well as info booths with promotional and educational material. At the end of the event, there were DJ sets of Mirko Popov, Sonja Ismail and Zoki Bejbe.

Source: LGBTI Support Center

Public debate: Hate crimes against LGBTI people

On 17 May, The National Network Against Homophobia and transphobia organized a public debate about Hate crimes against LGBTI people. This debate aimed to contribute to the fight against homophobia and transphobia in the direction of creating a culture of nonviolence in Republic of Macedonia, through the involvement of the legal and social implications of (un)protecting LGBTI people from violence. Speakers on the debate were: Zarko Trajanoski from Coalition „Sexual health and rights of marginalized communities“, Neda Calovska from Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia and the journalist Aco Kabranov. This debate was moderated by Sophia Velkovska from LGBTI Support Center.

You can see photos here on facebook.

May 17 was also marked by the participation of the No Hate Speech Movement, which is supported by the Council of Europe. The LGBTI Support Centre joined this campaign via blog posts which represented the realities that LGBTI people face in Macedonia today. The final report, which will contain information from the blog posts, will be reviewed by the Commissioner for Human Rights of Council of Europe.

Source: LGBTI Support Center

Launched of the initiative “Article 3″

On 15 of May in GEM Club, Coalition “Sexual and health rights of marginalized communities” Action Zdruzenska and Frick held a press conference to promote the summary of proposed changes for importing sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for discrimination in the Law on Prevention and protection from discrimination. Local activists explain:

Initiative for proposed amendments is an activity within the project “Article 3-solidarity and support to improve the protection of discrimination of the LGBT community” That aims importing sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds on which discrimination is prohibited in the Law on Prevention and Protection of discrimination. This amendments would lead to legal recognition of LGBT community, increasing their visibility in the eyes of state institutions and general public and effective protection from violence and discrimination as well.

According to organizations working with the LGBTI community, sexual orientation and gender identity are equally important as the fundamentals race, gender and ethnicity. Here is also the obligation of the Republic of Macedonia to international institutions to bring these two grounds in law. Taking into consideration the Reports on the progress of the Republic of Macedonia to the EU, the latest Report of the Committee on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and two rounds of the Universal periodic review of Macedonia to the Human Rights Council at the United Nations, we can see that the obligation of the state to include sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for discrimination in the law is underlined. It was underlined that the importing of sexual orientation and gender identity in the law would be a first step and an essential measure that legislators must take in order to protect LGBTI people from discrimination and violence, especially after the numerous attacks on LGBTI Support Center, attacks of the activists and constant hate speech. It was also noted that when it comes to protecting the human rights of the LGBT community, we should bear in mind that this is not just a matter of a marginalized community, but the degree of democracy in a society.

At the press conference speakers were: Dragana Drndarevska from Coalition „Sexual health and rights of marginalized communities“, Urania Pirovska, executive director of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia and Susanna Grozdanovska of Action Zdruzenska. Moderator was Velimir Zernovski from Formation of development initiatives in culture F.R.I.K. – Skopje.

Photos of the event on facebook and flikr. Press releases available here and here.

LGBT United Macedonia actions

Also, LGBT United Macedonia participated in the Tirana Diversity Festival and First Tirana Pride in Albania on May 17.

Activists also marked the day with a set of street flashmobs, movie screenings, demonstration, information booths and sprayed messages on city walls in Macedonia.

Source: LGBT United Macedonia

“Who is afraid of silence bad? Creative workshops held for young people”

On 17 May, at 12 pm in the House of ARM was held all day event by the “Creative Youth Action” Student organization “Izlez”. At the event, despite presentation of the products made by the participants in the five workshops (creative writing, illustration, photography, film and performance/theater), were presented products by other individuals, groups and organizations that were involved in this event. The goal was to stop the longstanding tradition of silence criticism aimed at the young people. Among the participants were representatives from organizations working with LGBT issues.
The project “Creative Youth Action” identifies the need for a space where young people can express themselves creatively and to express their views and opinions. Seven months of workshops contributed to successfully finding space and a way to defeat the silence.

You can see photos of the event here on flikr.

Marking of the International day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) at LGBTI Support Center

On May 17th, The LGBTI Support Centre held an event to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). The event began with a speech by the Program Director of the Center, Kocho Andonovski,. In his address, he briefly presented the significance of that day in the global fight against homophobia and transphobia. Biljana Ginova from the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of Republic of Macedonia promoted the newly created Intervention Fund, whose main goal is providing help to members of LGBTI community in three main areas: housing, legal and medicinal area. At the end of the evening, the Executive Director of the Committee, Uranija Pirovska awarded certificates of gratitude to the participants in the “Macedonia has love for all” campaign, for their contribution in the reduction of homophobia and transphobia in Republic of Macedonia.

You can see photos here on facebook, and press releases here and here. You can see photos here on facebook and flikr.

Source: LGBT United Macedonia

Public Debate on theme: Homophobia/ Migration/ Workers Rights – Experiences from Germany and Macedonia

A part of the program for the International day against homophobia and transphobia was also a public debate at the LGBTI Support Centre, on 19th of May with the title “Homophobia/ Migration/ Workers rights – The experience from Macedonia and Germany”. Speakers at the debate were the previous German MP Lale Akgun, member of a trade union Zlatko Perijoski, and the debate was moderated by Kocho Andonovski the program director of the LGBTI Support Centre. Among the other, at the debate participated the German ambassador that emphasized the value of human rights and the need for respecting them in the Macedonian society, underlining the fact that Helsinki Committee for human rights in Republic of Macedonia is one of the organizations that have important contribution towards the promotion of the human rights and liberties. Photos here.

Debate – Legal change of gender

The National network for struggle against homophobia and transphobia, on the 21st of May, at the GEM club organized the round table on theme ,,Legal change of gender”. At the round table was opened discussion about the need of legal regulative of change of gender, especially of the personal documents, about the practice in Macedonia on this issue, and about the probable solutions that can be focus of civil organizations, LGBTI activists and members of the trans-community in Macedonia.

Participants at the discussion were Natasha Boshkovska from the Coalition “Sexual and health rights of marginalized communities”, Igor Raiden – coordinator of the support group for trans-persons at the LGBTI Support Center, and the same was moderated by Dragana Drndarevska from the National network for struggle against homophobia and transphobia. This activity was organized by the National network for struggle against homophobia and transphobia as a part of the project “SAY NO TO HOMOPHOBIA” that is implemented by “Subversive Front” in partnership with Coalition “Sexual and health rights of marginalized communities” and supported by the Fondation Open Society – Macedonia

Further information

• LGBT Support Center: website & facebook page.
• LGBT United Macedonia: facebook page.

United Kingdom

Nationwide

L Project’s fab new song, We’re all Human, was not only declared the official IDAHOT 2014 theme tune song, it also broke into the UK independent charts on the week of May 17! We love it, and you can check it out here:

Liverpool

Eurovision mania takes hold in this fab IDAHOT contribution from Dysney & Smydge. Yeah baby, you’ve got it!

Norwich

Sing with Pride joined the Global Sing-in with a community singing workshop led by Chris Rowbury. Check out their fantastic video here:

Leeds

Gay Abandon Choir, from around Leeds in West Yorkshire, joined the global chorus with a moving video performance of “Single Step”:

Bristol

Sing Out Bristol performed at an IDAHOT event on May 17, 2014. More details coming soon!

Sheffield

Out Aloud – Sheffield’s first gay choir joined the chorus with a Sing-along at Sheffield Museums, together with local community groups! More details coming soon!

Brighton & Hove

Brighton & Hove’s Rainbow Chorus joined with local communities at a day of IDAHOBIT events organised by the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum. Read more.

Brighton & Hove’s Rainbow Chorus on IDAHOBIT 2014 ! Source: G Scene.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Loud & Proud Choir were joined by special guests, Common Voices Chorus (from Massachusetts, US), for their Spring Concert on May 17. For more details see their website and facebook page.

Ireland

Con Fusion, Cork’s LGBT Choir, performed at an IDAHOT church service, at the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Read more.

Con Fusion, performing at an IDAHOT Church service. Cork, Ireland, May 18, 2014.

Dublin

At SIPTU’s great series of IDAHOT events at Liberty Hall, Breda Larkin performed an original live song for IDAHOT 2014. You can watch it here:

France

The LGBT choir, Pelicanto, from Strasbourg, France, joined the global chorus with this spectacular performance of “Uprising” by Muse, featured as part of their “Stras Wars” show. Dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014, you can watch the video here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-02nt7oCqy3NjFVc0k2RnF1eEE/edit?usp=sharing

For more information about Pelicanto, see their website.

Pelicanto, an LGBT choir from Strasbourg, joining the global ‘Uprising’ for equality on May 17, 2014.

Germany

The Classical Lesbians – a group of women who love women, and classical music! – held a concert ‘Steps to Various Voices Dublin’ on May 17 in the Begine, a women’s center in Berlin. The concert also commemorated the IDAHOT, with an announcement about everyday discrimination against LGBTI communities. They not only addressed the worsening of the situation for LGBTI in Uganda, Cameroon and Russia but also the situation in Germany where anti-LGBTI stigmatization and violence are still an everyday reality. More details to follow!

China

Beijing Queer Chorus / 北京酷儿合唱团 planned to hold a special IDAHOT 2014 performance in Sunrise Hall, Caoyu Theater in Tainjin, on May 17. With around 20 regular performing members, the chorus is the largest and the only public performing LGBT chorus in China. With a widely varying repertoire from classical music to folk, jazz and pop, the Chorus’s aim is to challenge preconceptions – both musical and social – in society, while providing a social network for its members and audience. More details to follow soon.

South Korea

The Rainbow Action, a coalition of sexual minority organisation in Korea, performed a flashmob with singing and dancing which took place in the Daehanmun area. You can see their video here:

Thailand

Okay, this one isn’t technically singing either, but we couldn’t not include it here! A high-energy dance & music #IDAHOT phenomenon from Bangkok’s, the Rainbow All Boy Cheerleaders!

Azerbaijan

As part of their ‘Sing for Equality’, local organisations played music that symbolises the interests of LGBT people, racial, ethnic, social groups, age, professions and other minorities in Azerbaijan to celebrate May 17. More details coming soon.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Organisations gathered for a major concert, as they launched their new media campaign on hate crimes, and held a discussion that served as the starting point for the Anti-Discrimination Strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina. More details coming soon!

Croatia

Le Zbor – a lesbian feminist choir based in Zagreb, not only joined the IDAHOT this year with a special singing performance, but also with a series of events – developed together with Zagreb Pride – focusing on LGBTI refugees & the legacy of fascism in Croatia. As they explained in the lead up to the Day:

This year we are giving a performance at the 70th anniversary of a major anti-fascist event in Croatia: the breakthrough of the fascist army lines that took place on the site called Petrova gora and during which 730 partisans and 12 000 civilians, mostly women and children, were finally liberated from atrocities committed by fascist forces in this area during WW2.

Le Zbor choir from Zagreb, Croatia. Source: Gay Games.

Argentina

Nationwide

For this May 17, Argentinian star Jordana Battaglia, recorded a song for the rights of LGBTI people as part of her commitment to live in a more just and equal world. Born in Buenos Aires, the Argentinian singer’s first television appearance was through the reality show “The Voice” Argentina, which made her well known in the country. You can check out her wonderful IDAHOT contribution here !

Jordana Battaglia, Argentinian singer-songwriter, singing for IDAHOT 2014.

Belize

Nationwide

IDAHOT Belize also joined the global chorus for May 17 this year with this moving original song, set to a montage of IDAHOT and equal rights posters from around the world.

Canada

Vancouver – May 17 Rainbow Refugee’s International Day Against Homophobia Dance, Music, and Storytelling Event! For more info see the facebook event page.

Australia

Melbourne

Melbourne Gay & Lesbian Chorus, together with Melbourne Gay & Lesbian Youth Chorus, performed at Melbourne’s May 17, 2014 ‘Equal Love Rally‘. The rally was a huge success with many hundreds of participants! You can watch a great video-montage of the Rally here, set to the official theme tune song for this year’s Melbourne actions, “Equality“, by Rosco Elliot.

Melbourne Choirs join the IDAHOT 2014 Chorus!
Source: Facebook / Andy Bolger

Blue Mountains

Last, but by no means least, communities came together in Blue Mountains, Australia, for a Ukelele play-along of Somewhere Over the Rainbow! You can learn the notes here and read more here.

The workshop will be taught by Chris Rowbury in his inimitable style with lashings of humour, oodles of fun and a firm, but gentle hand on the steering wheel!
The songs will range from around the world, in the original languages, in glorious unaccompanied harmony: African, gospel, Eastern European, New Zealand Maori and more.

Everything will be taught by ear (no need to read music!). No previous experience needed – just bring yourself and have a go. Whether you’ve only ever sung in the shower, or you’re already in a choir, there will be something here for everyone – all in a fun, friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

There will be a recording of the workshop which will be available for free afterwards as a reminder of the day.

Sing with Pride is set in Norwich, England and started in 2009 as a choir from the LGBT community for everyone. Their members include people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans as well as friends, families and supporters.

If you are interested to participate in the workshop or have further questions, please contact Ann at lookseeclick[at]gmail.com (insert @ for [at])

For more details visit the events Facebook page or follow on Twitter.

Photo: Poster of this year’s May 17 ‘Dance Your Heart Out & Proud’

Maleny Pride presents ‘Dance Your Heart Out & Proud’ to celebrate May 17 at the Maleny Community Centre. The event will be featuring set-dance to award winning Australian fiddle tunes followed by disco with Hayden Hack Infusion, instruction and a light supper included. The doors open at 6:30 pm.

Maleny Pride is a cooperation of members of the Maleny community who are organising the ‘Dance Your Heart Out & Proud’ event in Maleny. They are reaching out to connect with those who might never have thought of themselves as part of a “community”, those who are questioning their sexuality and those who don’t choose to label themselves – preferring a more fluid sense of their sexuality / identity. Especially welcome are younger members of the community and everyone who is queer friendly.

We’re organising an event to celebrate International Day Against Homophobia (May 17 each year) for Maleny and Sunshine Coast Hinterland GLBTIQ people and their friends. We’d love you to join our group if you want to help with the organisation of the event or if you’d like to come along on the night or perhaps you just want to support our efforts from a distance.

You can find Maleny IDAHO on Facebook. They are also looking for more volunteers who would like to invest some time and energy to make this event happen. For more details about the event itself visit the Dance Your Heart Out & Proud Facebook page.

Photo: International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia 2013 in Belgrade

Labris – Lesbian Human Rights Organization in Belgrade, Serbia will host various activities on May 17. Together with other LGBTI groups they are organising a conference and a public event.

Three LGBT organisations from Belgrade, Safe pulse of Youth, Gayten-LGBT and Labris -Lesbian Human Rights Organisation, are working jointly to advocate for obtaining the municipality space that will be used as a “safe space” for LGBT people where they will be provided the high quality legal, psychological and health advise and support.
For the purpose of this advocating activities, the campaign “Get a safe space for the LGBT community” is conducted. The goal is to establish a centre for counselling and supporting the LGBTIQ community and their families.
To raise awareness of the necessity of the safe space, they will also hold a conference which will underline the hard position of the LGBT people that are often confronted with hate speech and/or hate crime. High level of intolerance, discrimination and violence directed towards LGBTIQ community in Serbia presents a constant threat for people whose gender expression is different that those proscribed by traditional gender roles. LGBTIQ community members are thus forced to keep their sexual orientation and gender identity repressed and hidden. On the other hand, mainstream media generally don’t report on numerous difficulties LGBTIQ people are facing on everyday basis and decision-makers on all levels, as well as experts in different relevant areas (legal experts, health professionals, social workers, psychologist, psychiatrists and psychotherapists) are, in general, not well informed on those issues. All this factors contribute to unacceptable level of invisibility of LGBTIQ community in the country.

Round table ‘LGBTIQ center as an efficient approach in dealing with psycho-social and health issues in LGBTIQ population’, organised within our project, aims to address those issues and contribute to visibility, freedom of expression and freedom of speech of LGBTIQ community in Serbia.

Welcome speech will be devoted to the common problem in Serbia, general topic of the IDAHO 2014 – Freedom of speech.

Labris was founded in 1995 and is therfore one of the oldest Lesbian organisations in the region. Their mission is to eliminate all violence against lesbian and all women in general and to fight for equal Human Rights for LGBTI people. Their vision is a society in which everyone has equal rights and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity does not exist anymore.

Their work consists of various programs.
– The information centre: empowerment workshops and meetings for LGBTI people- and especially lesbians
– The educational program: workshop to sensitize various relevant stakeholders, especially health and social workers, professors etc. for LGBTI rights and to raise awareness of discrimination and the obstacles sexual and gender minorities face on a daily basis
– The Lobbying and Advocacy Program: Labris has been involved in various campaigns and lobbying work on a national and European level.

Labris’ work has had and still has a big impact on the community in the area and beyond. If you would like to know more about their work, visit their website or check out their Facebook page.

LAUGH OUT PROUD
As part of an international tour, on May 14 there will be the project “Laugh put proud” which consists of stand up comedy night which will be held in Zagreb, Belgrade and Split.
In the show with the symbolic name will appear LGBT comedians from the UK Scott Capurro and Lara King, and the show will host Marina Orsag from Croatia.

The aim of the project “Laugh put proud” is to influence people’s awareness regarding LGBT rights through humor and stand-up comedy in the period of the International Day Against Homophobia. The project was launched by LGBT groups “Lezer” from Zagreb, led by Marine Orsag.
Organizer for Belgrade: Standup.rs

Here is a small taste of last year’s IDAHOT in Belgrade.

Source of images Labris Beograd Photos