In commemoration of the IDAHOT 2014, the US Embassy in the capital, Ljubljana, invited members of local LGBTI communities to a flag unfurling ceremony.

Activists and officials flying the rainbow flag at the US embassy in Slovenia for IDAHOT 2014.

A statement from the Embassy read: “To mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) and demonstrate support for LGBT rights as human rights, Ambassador Mussomeli invited several representatives from the LGBT NGO community to unfurl a rainbow flag from the Embassy’s balcony on May 16. IDAHO is celebrated every May 17 to mark the day in 1990 when the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases.”

In Nepal, actions around the IDAHOT 2014 over various days. Highlights included a press conference announcing the IDAHOT 2014 programme ahead, a rainbow flag-raising and speeches at the British High Commission, and a gala event – all in Kathmandu. The gala event featured dance and music performances, by participants from 5 regions of Nepal, as well as “Catwalk To Freedom” (an activism/theatre piece, focused on Third Gender oppression and liberation). A film screening, speeches, theatre, a legal consultation, and other events were organised throughout the week.

The series of events was also marked by high-level participation, as several dignitaries including representatives from National Human Rights Commission, the Norwegian Embassy, UNAIDS, and Pinky Gurung, BDS’s current President wished courage to all LGBTI communities and expressed their solidarity for IDAHOT.

Significantly, a letter was also sent by the Gay and Lesbian Sexual Minority Network of Nepal, to the Prime Minister of Nepal requesting official recognition of May 17.

Local organisers shared the following report with us, which is now reproduced here in full:

We are so happy and excited to share you the IDAHOT Nepal National Report.

LGBTI people, alongside allies and friends, in Nepal marked/celebrated IDAHOT this year in an extended and elaborated three days of events nationwide.

On the 15th of May Blue Diamond Society organized a “meet the press” event, inviting media representatives at the Reporters Club in Kathmandu for an interaction program with activists. The program very interesting, various LGBTI representatives spoke of LGBTI rights, the need for LGBTI representatives to be included in the Constituent Assembly (CA), and reiterated long-held demands that Nepal’s new constitution ensures human rights for LGBTI people. Activists also asked government to allocate budget to LGBTI community support projects, and ensure equal access to education and equal opportunities for employment.

Press conference announcing IDAHOT 2014 events in Nepal. Courtesy of Blue Diamond Society

At least 7 national TV channels broadcasted the events and various radio and print media covered the news of that meet the press event – the kick-off for the broader IDAHOT events around the country.

On the morning of May 16th, the British High Commission in Kathmandu invited LGBTI representatives from various organizations, raised a rainbow flag on the premises, and DCM Guy Harrison spoke about British government’s commitment to support LGBTI rights. Former CA member and founder of BDS Sunil Babu Pant spoke highlighting the importance of IDAHOT, and thanked British government for their support while asking them to do more to protect LGBTI rights in Nepal.

British High Commission in Kathmandu flying the flag on IDAHOT 2014. Courtesy of Blue Diamond Society

Later in the afternoon, Blue Diamond Society organized a gala event at the National Theater in the center if Kathmandu, inviting various families, communities, media, other civil society groups.

Gala event for IDAHOT 2014 in Nepal. Source: Courtesy of Blue Diamond Society

The event featured cultural dances, usually traditionally performed by metis/third genders (male born TGs),  and the “Catwalk To Freedom” — a ramp show featuring various third gender models, with unique educational structure and concept: First, TG models cat-walked onto the ramp, one by one, as if they were caged, chained, masked, hands and legs tied, hand cuffed, mouth taped symbolically show they were denied mobility and expression, and forced to remain in the closet while facing a lot of violence. One by one, while walking in the ramp, the models broke themselves from the cage, tearing off the chains, pulling the tape off their mouths, breaking of the hand cuffs, etc., and trying to encourage others too.

“Catwalk for Freedom” in Kathmandu, Nepal. IDAHOT 2014. Courtesy of Blue Diamond Society.

“Be Change”, documentary related to Lesbian love, was also screened. Nilu Doma, documentary maker, shared her experience regarding “ Be Change” and importance of love regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

LGBTI groups from all 5 development regions of Nepal brought their ethnic dance performances. A musical performances showing very vivid experience of LGBTI facing stigma and discrimination, audience were touched by the performances.

Then a play was staged by Silpi Theater Troupe, portraying how in-laws to-be refuse to marry a girl because they discovered her brother was third gender, then the third gender was excluded from her home by her parents, end up leaving the village. She (the third gender) faced discrimination while traveling by bus to Kathmandu, could not find room to rent, could not find job, ended up working in dance bar with low pay and abusive owner, and joined a college only face bullying from classmates – a fairly typical story of a TG facing discrimination and exclusion in day to day life in Nepal. As Nepal has progressed some legal rights and community empowerment, the TG character was able to find peers and organizations to support her. She is empowered and not just settled in harsh city like Kathmandu but also become compassionate to help others in need. Overall it was a powerful performance with positive messages about support and inclusion and hope for the future.

Sunil Babu Pant gave a inspirational and encouraging speech, asking every one to remain united and work hard. He talked about the unfair comparison many may do out of ignorance between the two completely different kinds of success: one can be easily successful to destroy something in a short time without skills, qualification and hard work, but to be successful to create something beneficial to mankind and build a movement and sustain is very different and need a lot of hands, minds and hearts to work together. Pant also invited a mother, Saru Bisht, to the stage, honored her for her support and fight against all odds to give her two third gender children the citizenship ID cards according to their gender identity and asked all parents to see her as a role model.

Several dignitaries including representatives from National Human Rights Commission, the Norwegian Embassy, UNAIDS, and Pinky Gurung, BDS’s current President wished courage to all LGBTI communities and expressed their solidarity for IDAHOT.

On day 3, BDS held an informal Interaction program among LGBTI members — many new members joined the events, shared their experiences and stories of coming out as well as the ugly, the bad, the OK, the good, and the extra-ordinarily happy  experience of living as an LGBTI person in contemporary Nepali society, followed by food and a dance party.

In 23rd and 24th May, BDS coordinated a consultation with 50+ supreme court lawyers on “the 2007 Supreme Court decision in Pant v. Nepal, the new Constitution, the proposed draft civil and criminal code (the proposed civil and criminal coed is dangerously regressive and needs urgent intervention), LGBTI communities needs with regards to legal counselling/litigation and Nepal Bar Association’s role to safeguard LGBTI rights and legal support to LGBTI people.

Civil code consultation for IDAHOT 2014, Nepal. Courtesy of Blue Diamond Society

After the consultation Nepal Bar association expressed their commitment to support LGBTI cause and offered free legal services to Blue Diamond Society and LGBTI members anywhere in Nepal. They also expressed their concern over the proposed draft civil and criminal code which are unbelievably regressive and suggesting to criminalize sexual identities and behaviors which would render LGBTI people criminals — the NBA said this was “unacceptable”.

Letter to the Government of Nepal, requesting official recognition of May 17

Government of Nepal,
Prime Minister as well as
Minister of Social Welfare council
Mr.Sushil Koirala,

Sub:Requesting to proclaim IDAHOBT Day as a public holiday

Dear Prime Minister,
As Nepal’s interim constitution 2063, in the Section 3 there is fundamental rights of the citizens and in the Section 4 there is responsibility of the state as well as management of the principles of polity.As we, the sexual and gender minorities are also citizens of this country, we have rights to utilize and claim all fundamental as well as human rights. However,we,the sexual and gender minorities, have been suffering from various kinds of discrimination in our home, society, neighbors and even from government itself. To eradicate all types of these discrimination, globally the international organizations and associations like International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and International Lesbian and Gay Association(ILGA) are standing together and making their local level NGOs and INGOs active to overcome all sorts of discrimination and violence against sexual minority communities and empower them with all human rights and their security.With regards to it,an international committee IDAHO,formed and this committee has been observing International Day Against Homophobia to mark the discrimination and violence against homosexuals, bisexual, transsexual on 17th May every year. Tally this day with our Nepali Bikram Sambat era, we would like to request to you to declare this day public holiday in Nepal too. So that we can make people aware of LGBTTI community and change their opinions about them through this day. We are presenting this letter to you including some problems and issues of this community.

Dear Prime minister, only a few member of our sexual and gender minorities whom can be counted on our finger tips have received citizenship cards in the name of ‘Thirdsex’ or ‘Othersex’ which were issued by Government of Nepal on saying to do so by some non-government organization. However, member of our community are not satisfied with it. They take it as the government itself is discriminating on them by using such offensive words like ‘thirdsex’ ‘thirdgender’ ‘othersex’. Similarly, these are some NGOs in the country which propose a lot of tempting activities in the name of doing welfare of this community just to attract the foreign donor agents. Embezzle the amount that they received as foreign aids, they do nothing towards the welfare of this community. Thus, few people are turning affluent overnight. So the government of Nepal should pay attention and case towards the activities of NGOs and take legal actions against those found guilty. Have a detailed study about this community before issuing citizenship cards to its members because we are neither any thirdgender nor any third-nature dramatical persons, we are naturally normal persons.

We would also like to put forward some of our demands, they are as follows:-
1. Identity cards should be issued based on sex-orientation of an individual.
2. Legalize the Same-Sex marriage.
3. Mention sexual minorities in the new building up constitution.
4. The final verdict of the Supreme Court made in the year 2064(B.S) should be made to follow strictly.
5. Proclaim IDAHOBT Day as a public holiday.

For your information, we would like to tell you something about the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and transphobia(IDAHOBT). This day aims to co-ordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBTTI rights work worldwide. The date of May 17 was chose to commemorate the decision to remove homosexuality from the international classification of diseases of The World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990.
Requesting you to grant the 17th May as Public Holiday in Nepal. We have prepared this letter representing more then 3 lakh Nepalese sexual minorities. At last, hearing our demands and putting them into practice, give justice to all victimized Nepalese sexual and gender minorities.
Thank you.
Yours,
Binod Lama
Chairperson
Gay and Lesbian Sexual Minority Network Nepal

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014, was marked by various actions in different cities in Sweden, including Stockholm, Örebro and Halmstadt. Aside from this, the Swedish government also co-hosted the International IDAHO Forum 2014, together with the government of Malta, which was held in Valletta, Malta. The 2-day conference brought together top political representatives, and civil society associations, from across Europe.

Sweden co-hosts 2nd annual International IDAHO Forum, together with Malta

Erik Ullenhag, Swedish Minister for Integration was amongst the delegates – which included representatives from 17 European states.

Swedish Minister for Integration, Erik Ullenhag, speaking at the IDAHO Forum 2014 Press Conference in Valletta, Malta, May 13, 2014.

More information about the Forum, as well as Sweden’s participation in the co-ordination, and what representatives had to say, can be found in this press release, as well as on the official IDAHO Forum 2014 website.

A full video of the press conference from the Forum can be seen here:

Del LaGrace Volcano talks “Intersex 101″ in Örebro

In Örebro, Sweden, local communities came together for a lecture entitled “INTERSEX 101 OR HOW THE BINARY GENDER SYSTEM VIOLATES THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF EVERYONE”, given by well-known international artist and activist, Del LaGrace Volcano. The event posed the key question – How are the human rights of intersex people violated and why should this be a concern for all of us?

Artist and activist, Del LaGrace Volcano, gearing up for “Intersex 101″ talk in Örebro, Sweden.

Organisers explained: “Del LaGrace Volcano is an artist and activist working to create a world where the diversity of the human body is both recognised and celebrated beyond our current system; a system which only validates people with bodies and gender that conform to female and male. A visual and performative political and personal lecture that offers practical advice on how to resist the rising tides of gender conformity and market forces.”

The lecture was co-ordinated by Örebro Rättighetscenter, Örebro läns museum, RFSL Örebro and ABF Örebro, and was held on May 14. You can find more details about the event on the website or Facebook.

RFSU Halland actions in Halmstadt

To commemorate IDAHOT 2014, in the city of Halmstadt, LGBTI communities, political parties, youth organizations and civil society associations came together for a day of events – co-ordinated by the group RFSU Halland. Stalls with information were set up, and a flashmob action also took place. At the Town Hall, the rainbow was also flown in honour of the Day.

Organised under the banner, “Together we make a difference! For everyone’s freedom to choose, freedom to be and freedom to enjoy!”, more about the programme can be found at the RFSU Halland website or on the Facebook event page.

Halmstadt Town Hall flying the rainbow flag for IDAHOT 2014.

Various events in Stockholm

In Sweden, communities came together for a packed day of various events around the IDAHOT 2014 – actions included an art & photo exhibition / presentations / campaign launches and the unveiling of a plan to set sail from Helsinki to St. Petersburg to protest LGBTI discrimination in Russia ! Local communities also saluted the Austrian winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, Conchita Wurst, and the launch of a new group – International Rainbow Seniors – was also announced.

You can read more about this year’s actions in the organisers’ press release, which follows in full:

Stockholm meetings at culture center, gay bar: Press Release, May 15, 2014
TUPILAK/ILGCN SALUTE TO IDAHO DAY 2014

Stockholm — “This was our way of saluting this year’s IDAHO — international day against homophobia on May 17 — and its 2014 theme “Freedom of Expression,” says Bill Schiller of Tupilak (Nordic rainbow cultural workers) and ILGCN (international rainbow cultural network) Information Secretariat-Stockholm of the event taking place on May 14 at the Folklore Centrum and the award-winning gay bar Side Track — both on this city’s southern island.

“We not only meet for social get-togethers but also to inform local politicians, administrators of homes for the elderly and medical workers — people sometimes totally unaware of the existence and needs of LGBT elderly,” said Agneta Wirén of the Gothenberg Senior Group from this Swedish west coast city.

Another special guest at this event, Frank Lee of Taiwan– a participant of the first-ever Stockholm “Gay Photographers Exhibit”– displayed his work and mentioned that he will be creating giant-sized photos of LGBT people at Stockholm’s international airport Arlanda during the coming Stockholm Pride this July. “I would also be pleased to have my work included in the Tupilak/ILGCN international art and photo exhibit.”

Examples of the collection’s Belarus art and photography were displayed, along with the presentation of the plan for “Swedish-Belarus Queer Cultural Days” 2014 for Belarus and Swedish cities — an idea originated by Maksim Haikou of Minsk.

Also in the spirit of IDAHO’S “Freedom of Expression,” plans were presented for a boat trip from Stockholm to St. Petersburg waiving the rainbow flag in ports of call including Tallin, Helsinki and St. Petersburg — to challenge the Russian ban an “homo propaganda.” Also, a salute to the rotating Baltic Pride — this year taking place in Tallinn and starting on June 2.

“Combating freedom of expression of LGBT people all over the world by all the major religions,” said Carl Johan Kleberg of the Nordic Rainbow Humanists.

Poetry with a Chinese theme was presented by Swedish Tupilak member Tomas Åberg and the Folk Lore Centrum owner Izzy Young read poems of his friend, the late American revolutionary gay poet, Allan Ginsburg.

Discussions also ended with a salute to the Austrian winner of the Eurovision song contest, Conchita Wurst for being an enormous contribution to tolerance and diversity in a Europe these days threatened by facist and homophobic parties in many nations.

As part of the “freedom of expression” theme, we are also announcing the formation of a new group called International Rainbow Seniors – Sweden promoting LGBT culture and international ties — well aware that many nations even with a strong Pride movement still ignore the voices of the elderly LGBT people,” says Schiller.

2014 was a landmark year for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Malta. The major event of the year was of course the 2nd annual International IDAHO Forum being held in the country, on May 13-14, featuring the participation of the Maltese Prime Minister, high level ministers from various countries, and LGBTI rights advocates and civil society organisations from across Europe. The University of Malta also organised a significant particpatory photo campaign.

IDAHO Forum co-hosted by Maltese and Swedish governments in Valletta, Malta

This 2nd annual IDAHO Forum was held under the theme: ‘Responses to Homophobia & Transphobia at the National, European & International Levels’.

Various high level ministers and national level politicians participated in the conference, which also featured the participation of the Prime Minister of Malta. Many civil society organisations from the international LGBTI rights field were also represented at the conference, including ILGA-Europe, TGEU (Transgender Europe), ORAM International and the IDAHO Committee. Key international institutions and agencies were also be represented, including UNESCO, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, the Council of Europe, the Intergroup on LGBT Rights of the European Parliament, and the European Commission.

Helena Dalli (Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs & Civil Liberties, Malta) and Erik Ullenhag (Minister for Integration, Sweden) speaking at the 2014 IDAHO Forum in Valletta, Malta.

Key outcomes included the signing of an IDAHO declaration of intent – a 12-point plan and commitment to defend LGBTI rights, which can be read in full here (pdf download).

A full list of the ministerial signatories to the IDAHO Declaration – representing 17 states – can be found here.

We are committed to the principle of the universality of human rights and reaffirm that cultural, traditional or religious values cannot be invoked
to justify any form of discrimination, including discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. – IDAHO Declaration of Intent, 2014

Amongst other highlights, the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Joseph Moscat, gave a well-received speech to the floor, in which he urged other governments to “throw away your prejudices”:

This event is ultimately about the Europe that we aspire to live in. Having so many countries represented, especially at Ministerial level, augurs well for what we are trying to achieve. We need to stamp out homophobia and transphobia once and for all. Such a goal cannot be achieved easily. We must work together.

I’ve heard people say that lesbians, gays and transgender people shouldn’t be given special rights. I have to agree with them. They don’t deserve special rights. They deserve the same rights as anybody else. Nobody should be turned away from a job because of their sexuality. Nobody should face intimidation or violence because of who they are. And no government should turn a blind eye to prejudice in society.

We are building a better Malta. I am certain of that.

And to other countries I say: throw away your prejudices. You’ll be surprised at how good it will make you feel.

A video of the Prime Minister’s welcoming speech can be viewed here:

The Prime Minister also commented on the publication of the latest Rainbow Index from ILGA Europe, which judges how countries are performing on LGBT rights questions:

“I’m pleased to say that the fastest climbers in the past year were Malta – up 22 per cent – and Montenegro – up 20 per cent. Progress can happen quickly if the will is there.”

For full information on the IDAHO Forum 2014 please see the dedicated website: www.idaho2014forum.org

University of Malta public photo campaign

In a Betapsi Malta & We Are initiative, students, MEP candidates, lecturers and international activists at the University of Malta had their photos taken, to take a collective stand against homophobia.

At least 57 people had their photos taken, and 52 posters were made. Below is just a snapshot – You can see larger versions of each here.

In the United States, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice-President Joe Biden released statements and tweets of support for the worldwide May 17 mobilisations this year. A nationwide initiative to demand full and equal non-discrimination protections as a human rights imperative co-ordinated a ‘Day of Organising’, with some activity taken around May 17 in 30 states. Particularly strong mobilisations were registered this year in Atlanta in the state of Georgia, Omaha in Nebraska, and New Orleans in Louisiana, with street marches, exhibitions and many other events stretching out around the Day.

In fact, many major LGBTI rights NGOs and campaigns working nationwide in the country marked the Day with statements of support, online campaigns, news articles or other initiatives. A major US-based international anti-bullying campaign launched a major series of campaigns and messages of support on May 17 and mobilised and supported its local affiliates in various countries to take action for the IDAHOT.

This article will be updated in the coming days, as we aim to capture the full scale and diversity of events in the United Stated this year.

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

In Canada, 85 organisations co-signed a special May 17 open letter, calling on the government to affirm its support for LGBTI rights internationally, which included a 10 point plan for dealing with human rights abuses of LGBTI people around the world. Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird, responded with an official statement underscoring the strong commitment of the Canadian government to continue to press for universal human rights. National television station, CBC, covered these initiatives, as well as the raising of the rainbow flag at Toronto City Hall to mark the Day.

Foreign Affairs Minister responds to 85 LGBTI and human rights organisations

After 85 organisations co-signed an open letter, ahead of May 17, to Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird, he released a statement affirming the Canadian government’s support for respecting and protecting LGBT rights around the world. You can read the letter in full here.

Baird released a statement in honour of the IDAHOT 2014, on May 16, in which he said:

“This day is an opportunity to shed light on the significant human rights abuses to which sexual minorities are subjected worldwide.

“It is alarming that approximately 80 countries around the world criminalize homosexuality or have laws in place that have the intended effect of limiting the human rights of a targeted group. Canada has urged and will continue to urge these nations to review this regressive legislation.

“The criminalization of homosexuality is an incitement to intolerance, which breeds hate and, in turn, violence.

“Canada remains committed to standing up for the human rights of all individuals.”

Canadian television network CBC covered the campaign and Baird’s response in its evening news bulletin. They also mentioned Toronto City Council’s flying the rainbow flag for the IDAHOT. You can watch the bulletin here:

You can also read Canada HIV/AIDS Legal Network’s Press Release regarding the open letter campaign – here.

Toronto

Communities gathered for a major event in the city for the IDAHOT 2014 – a flag raising ceremony, with speeches from community leaders, outside Toronto City Hall, on May 16.

Although city Mayor Rob Ford did not attend, Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly attended and spoke at the event. He also announced that City Hall would be lit up in rainbow colours in recognition of the Day.

Toronto Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, speaking at the rainbow flag raising at City Hall on May 16. Source: Toronto Sun

PFLAG President, Irene Miller, gave a powerful and emotional speech underscoring the significance of the flag-raising. In her speech, Miller also noted that in February 2014 – when the Sochi Olympics were being held, Toronto’s mayor, Rob Ford, refused for the flag to fly outside city hall. She also criticised Ford for sexist, racist and homophobic remarks he had made. You can watch her speech in full here:

Media coverage of the event was considerable (e.g. Toronto Sun, Globe and Mail, and City News).

The 519 Anti-Violence Program also hosted a community art event to mark this years’ IDAHOT, at the Church Street Community Centre. You can find out more here.

Vancouver

Various groups came together for a diverse series of events in Vancouver, Canada for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2014. Communities gathered for a cultural event and panel discussion on LGBTIQ* refugees in Canada, as well as for ‘Gay & Grey’ – a conversation over breakfast about what it means to be LGBTQ, out, and aging. More info.

Quebec

As ever, the Quebec region was particularly active around the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, with special support from the regional May 17 campaign, by Fondation Émergence. This year, the chosen theme for actions around the Day was “Same-sex parenting I love my two moms, I love my two dads”.

You can find out more about the campaign in this press release, and by browsing their website.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, LGBTQI communities – and their friends and allies – came together for an IDAHOT 2014 Rally, in the city’s South Park & Spring Garden on May 14. The Rally was organised under the theme “Speak Up & Speak Out!” and featured the participation of Scott Jones (and the Don’t Be Afraid campaign), as well as guest speakers from various community groups: Kate Shewan (Trans Activist & NSRAP Vice-Chair), Jessica Durling (Trans Activist & King’s PRIDE Co-Chair), Pedram Niakan (A “Rainbow Refugee” to Halifax), Keith MacMillan (The Halifax Refugee Clinic). There were also performances by Max Jones and The Youth Project Queerios, whilst people could also get their photos taken in the “Don’t Be Afraid” photo booth! More info.

Communities “Speak Up and Speak Out!” at the Halifax Rally for the IDAHOT 2014. May 14, 2014. Source: Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project

Progressive voices of faith speak out in support of equality

The Right Rev. Gary Paterson, the first openly gay Moderator of the United Church of Canada wrote a popular and widely shared open letter to the LGBTQ community, stressing the existence of progressive voices of faith within Christian communities, and underscoring the need to support equal rights for LGBTQ people. You can read it here. He also spoke at a Vancouver event for IDAHOT 2014.

Canada gets top LGBT rights scorecard

On social media, many commented positively that Canada received top marks (5/5) on their LGBT rights scorecard, according to the widely shared Guardian newspaper infographic – a project developed in partnership with ILGA and All Out. More info.

The organisations Friends for Life, CAISO and CariFLAGS joined forces this year to organise events around May 17 in downtown Port of Spain and Belmont, Trinidad & Tobago.

The events went on for two days and consisted of:

Friday May 16, 1:30pm: Friends for Life held a demonstration at the Port of Spain International Finance Centre, the home of the national Parliament at the start of its sitting.

Saturday May 17, 9am: CAISO, Friends for Life and CariFLAGS at their joint office in Belmont, launched a Trinidad & Tobago case advocacy program to bring justice and healing to LGBTI persons who have suffered violations of their basic rights; and hosted a briefing on the first sexual orientation-related Caribbean case just accepted by the Caribbean Court of Justice — a treaty challenge to the immigration law of Trinidad & Tobago.

Local activists explained:

The law makes homosexuals, those who live off their earnings, and those reasonably suspected of coming or attempting to bring others into the country for homosexual purposes prohibited immigrants; and it provides for the deportation of persons who practise, assist in the practice, or share in the avails of ‘homosexualism’.

The casework program is staffed by a social worker and a lawyer and will lead to a new effort at strategic use of courts and tribunals by LGBTI groups in Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean, with the development of a clearing house for SOGI-related strategic litigation in the region.

UK, German and other embassies formally salute the Day in T&T

On May 16, for a 24 hour period, the Union Jack (flag of the UK) was lowered, and the rainbow flag raised in its place at the British High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago.

Also present were representatives from the German Embassy, Canadian High Commission, and Spanish, Dutch, US embassies and other colleagues from the European Union. Non-governmental organisations present were the Silver Lining Foundation and, I Am One group.

Media coverage (select):

• Trinidad and Tobago Newsday: piece on foreign embassy actions in T&T, ‘Diplomats, NGOs raise gay rights awareness‘
• Journalist Janine Mendes-Franco, based in Trinidad & Tobago, also wrote a supportive piece regarding IDAHOT 2014, focused on ‘Being Gay in the Caribbean‘.

Actions for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia were organised in eight different states in Venezuela, in 2014. Just some of the highlights from around the country included various street marches and demonstrations, the release of new public awareness and advocacy materials, and official proclamations from local and state authorities, in honour of May 17.

Caracas communities demonstrate on May 17

In Caracas there were two separate activities organised around the IDAHOT 2014 – reflecting the currently polarised state of Venezuelan politics.

One was the 4th Annual March Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The march was prevented from following its traditional route, after intervention by the local (Libertador) Municipal authorities, and had to stay within the Chacao Municipality. The event was held under the slogan “I’m LGBTI, I have the right to freely express my personality”, and was organised by Venezuela Diversa and Positivos en Colectivo. The parade aimed to petition the Bolivarian government, and other governments around the world, to protect the rights of LGBTI people.

A separate demonstration was also organised by the PSUV (the Chavista bloc) in Libertador.

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental right that cannot be denied on the basis of the sexual orientation, gender identity and expression of a person. This is guaranteed in the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and in international law.

…a free and independent media is essential to inform the public and to give voice to LGBTI people to discuss issues that affect them… media has a social responsibility, and ethics play a role in combating all forms of discrimination, including discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and to promote mutual understanding between groups.- May 17 statement by Venezuela Diversa and Positivos en Colectivo.

Yonatan Matheus, Director of Venezuela Diversa said “there are endless rights we must vindicate such as the right to identity recognition of transgender people, non-violence in all its expressions by the security forces, in education, in centres of public and private health, in political discourse, in all public spaces”.

Mauricio Gutierrez, representative from Positivos en Colectivo, said “it is a step forward that the municipal councils of Chacao and Baruta unanimously signed the May 13 agreements aimed at promoting respect for sexually diverse communities, and declared May 17 the Municipal day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.”

Municipal authorities speak out

Declarations on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014 were made by the following municipalities of Caracas: Chacao Municipality, Baruta Municipality and Libertador Municipality.

Previously, the day was declared by the El Hatillo Municipality, and by the Umbrella Municipality of Caracas (2011). The only municipality that is not currently celebrating in Caracas the day, is the Municipality of Sucre.

Puerto Ordaz: Declared in the State of Bolivar the IDAHO-T. They had a concentration on 17 May.

Other activities

Public demonstrations around IDAHOT 2014 were also reported in:

Valencia, Estado Carabobo
Barinas, State of Barinas
Mérida, State of Merida
Maracaibo, State of Zulia
Maturin, State of Monagas, and
Macuto, State of Vargas.

The organization Reflejos de Venezuela also took action around the IDAHOT 2014, including the launch of a guide for parents of LGBT children and young people. The aim was to raise awareness amongst parents of LGBT people, and to encourage a spirit of comprehension around these questions.

Once again, events for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014 were held throughout Mexico, affirming May 17 as a vital date in the country’s LGBTI rights calendar.

Mexican President supports the Day online

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto marked the Day with a special Tweet from his account @EPN in which he stated “Because we are making of Mexico a country of equality and non-discrimination, we celebrate for the first time the National Day Against Homophobia”.

In April 2014, Mexico became the latest nation to officially recognise May 17, as the ‘National Day Against Homophobia’, by presidential decree.

Mexican president supports the IDAHOT 2014 via his twitter account.

Week of events by various groups, May 12-17

Meanwhile the group Reacciona México de México DF, together with Inspira el Cambio AC, and the Institute of the Federal District Jueventud, amongst other partners coordinated ​​the series of events “Turn me Purple” which took place from 12 to 17 May in the City of Mexico.

The organization Colectivo Seres from Guanajuato city, Mexico held the 5th meeting for Sexual Dissidence which also included activities from 12 to 17 May.

National Survey on Discrimination and Labour

Also, with the aim of learning more about the current situation of discrimination against LGBTI people in Mexico, a set of state actors, community organizations and private sector companies coordinated and presented the ‘National Survey on Discrimination and Labour’. The organizers of this initiative were Espolea and Enehache Forum, in collaboration with the Mexican National Human Rights Commission.

The presentation of the Survey was made on the IDAHOT in order to encourage media, civil society and the general public awareness around the situations that LGBT people face at work. You can watch a video of events here:

British council offices back major event

One of the events organized for the Day took place at the British Council offices in Mexico, which organized a roundtable discussion. It was attended by civil organizations, musicians, media, and local and federal government figures. Participants included:

• Ricardo Baruch Espolea.
• Iván Gómez Tagle, coordinator of LGBT Youth Mexico .
• The singer Jaime Kohen.
• Lena Milosevic, Director of British Council Mexico.
• Jacqueline L’ Hoist, president of COPRED.
• Irasema Conapred Zavaleta.
• Carlos Ramos who talked about discrimination and mental health.