In Myanmar, for IDAHOT 2014, different LGBT associations came together to create a pioneering photo competition in their context. Called the “&Proud” Photo competition, the event made part of a diverse series of events around May 17 across the country. Organised in the captial Yangon, it helped to promote alternative images of LGBT people, to encourage participation in rights and culture projects, and to create space for community-building.

We asked the organisers more about how they came up with the idea, and how they organised it. And they told us this inspiring story…

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

First prize in Series – &Proud Photo Competition, Yangon. Courtesy of &Proud

We always wanted to organize the photo exhibition to let the people in the country know that we are here among the citizens, and we are the same as you and as proud as you. So, Colors Rainbow and YG event decided to organize that. We had a few aims with the photo exhibition. Firstly, there are not many cultural events for LGBTs in Myanmar, so we felt that it was a good event for people to meet each other and discuss LGBT issues and culture. Secondly, we wanted to show the broad range of LGBT identities. People, certainly in Myanmar, often have a very limited idea of what it means to be LGBT. We felt that photos would be a very personal way of showing people the many different meanings of being LGBT. This links to the third aim, which was to also cater to non-LGBTs. We had quite a bit of media coverage, and a good number of interested people came to watch the exhibition. With this we hoped to bring the LGBT community closer to ‘everybody else’s’ lives. Lastly, we wanted to boost photographer’s interests in documenting the LGBT community in Myanmar, as well as giving amateur photographers a chance to show their own take on the community.

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

We did not have any risks/threats/obstacles. However we were quite worried that there would be only a few photos come in, but we received 44 photos which is ok for a first competition for the LGBT community. For the exhibition we had the photos that were submitted for the competition, as well as the award-winning photo series “The Pink Choice” from Vietnam. With this series, the photographer Maika Elan won a world press photo award for best contemporary series – pretty much the highest achievable award for photographers. By combining the local photos with a professional exhibition, we had more certainty of having an interesting mix of photos, and we were able to show an outside perspective as well. http://www.worldpressphoto.org/awards/2013/contemporary-issues/maika-elan/02

First prize in Singles – &Proud Photo Competition. Courtesy of &Proud

We will keep doing this competition every year. And after all the positive responses from the photo competition we are now organising the &Proud LGBT film festival which will be held on 15 and 16 November this year.

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

It took 3 months including preparation time, although it is advisable to take some more time. We had about 5 weeks for photographers to send in photos, but if you want photographers to make photos specifically for the competition, it is advisable to send out the call for photos a little earlier.

There were 3 people from Colors Rainbow involved, 2 from YG event, and the gallery owner has been a huge help. Besides that we’ve had some help from friends of course.

Our costs were around $2,500 USD. The major costs were: 1,100 for prize money (total of 5 prizes), 500 to get the photos from the Vietnamese photo series printed (they had to be printed in very high quality), 70 to get the competition photos printed. 300 for the rent of the gallery space. It can be organised quite low budget – certainly if you can find a cheap gallery and when printing costs are low.

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

It has had positive effects which caused a slight change to the people in Yangon, at least. They expected something weird, strange, or pictures of make-up artists, but what they see is something they did not expect from the LGBT community. We had over 200 visitors in our 8 day exhibition, which is quite a good turn-up for Yangon. Besides that we reached people through TV and newspaper coverage.

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

Poster for the &Proud Photo Exhibition in Yangon, Myanmar, for IDAHOT 2014. Courtesy of &Proud

Just go for it! It is relatively easy to organise and there are probably more people with photos from the LGBT community than you think. We accepted photos that were up to 2 years old, and accepted both amateur and professional photos. We had 2 categories: series and single shots. In both categories we had 2 prizes. It’s nice to let amateurs enter the competition, because it lets the LGBT community show photos of themselves. As mentioned before: it is a really good idea to combine it with a regular exhibition of LGBT photos from another country, as that will give the exhibition more body and will help you if the quality of the entries is too low. Lastly, there’s also a possibility to combine this with a masterclass or workshop for young photographers.

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

One of the things we would like to change is to focus more on photos from the LGBT community themselves. It would be nice to have a lot of photos from amateur photographers, who take photos of themselves and their friends. Next year I hope we’ve got a wall full of amateur photos – preferably a wall with photos of a lot of happy and confident people who are not afraid to show their identity to the world.

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.

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 Bolivia, a diverse set of community groups, government representatives, artists, musicians and community allies, came together for events in Santa Cruz and La Paz. Highlights included the TransFest festival – to celebrate gender expressions and diversities, and highlight trans* community issues, in Santa Cruz. Government officials also met with activists to develop public policies, on the basis of affirmation of May 17 as an officially recognised National Day Against Homophobia in the country.

The organization Igualdad Bolivia together with the Governor of Santa Cruz and Regional Office of the Ministry of Culture joined forces for the organization of the fifth version of the transgender festival, TransFest Bolivia “TRANSFORMANDONOS”, 2014. Held in the city of Santa Cruz, the event included artistic and live Performances as well as a prize-giving event.

TransFest Bolivia, held around the IDAHOT 2014.

You can watch a full video of the event here:

Press Conference and Government Meeting

On Thursday, May 15, a press conference was held, to draw attention to actions around the Day. These included a meeting between TLGB communities and representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Culture and Education, to elaborate joint actions under the remit of the Presidential Decree (of 2011), which officially recognises May 17 as Bolivian Day Against Homophobia. This action was developed with the support of Colectivo TLGB of Bolivia.

Book Presentation, Vigil and Documentary Launch

On Friday, May 16, a presentation of the book “Freedom to love and feel: Memoirs of gay and lesbian couples in Bolivia” was held as well as a Vigil Against Violence, and the launch of a documentary about homophobia in Bolivia. These actions were also supported by Colectivo TLGB of Bolivia.

Street Parade

A final action coordinated by the Colectivo TLGB of Bolivia, was a street parade on Saturday, 17 May, in which communities and allies came together to promote and defend the rights of sexual and gender minorities.

Photography Exhibition

Finally, the organization ADESPROC FREEDOM GLBT, from La Paz, Bolivia presented a photographic exhibition of artist Andres Palacios called “Sexualidad Paceña”, in one of the most important museums of the city, Musef.

The days was marked in 10 cities in Myanmar.

A series of public events to mark the Day was organized by Colors Rainbow, Myanmar LGBT Rights Network, YG Event and the American Center. Canada Embassy in Yangon, British Embassy in Yangon, Swedish Fund for Human Rights supported and collaborated in the organizing the events.

A full report by main organiser Colors Rainbow Myanmar, with extended photo documentation can be accessed here: Myanmar IDAHOT report This year, the organisations adapted the Day’s logo creatively to include Myanmar’s national peacock symbol and the celebrations put the annual theme of Freedom of Expression to the forefront!     A selection of the events’ highlights : &PROUD Photo Exhibition The &PROUD Photo Exhibition, took place from May 11 to 18, kicking off the year’s IDAHOT commemorations in the capital, Yangon. Held in The Witness Yangon Documentary Arts Space, the exhibition showcased pictures portraying the diversity and positive images of Burmese LGBT communities.

1st Prize in Series of &Proud Exhibition | Courtesy of &Proud

First Prize Singles | Courtesy of &Proud

IDAHOT public event and panel discussion On May 17, activists also marked the Day by holding an IDAHOT public event at Sann Chaung Thar of People’s Park, followed by panel discussion on “LGBT & Equality” at the American Center. To close the commemoration, an Official FAB afterparty was thrown at VIP bar later in the evening. The marking of the Day in Myanmar was attended by Asia Catalyst Capacity Building and Community Initiatives Director, Gisa Dang. She reflected on her experiences in the country and the occasion of the Day in an op ed in Asia Catalyst. Other events A pride parade was also organised on May 17 in Yangon, together with a panel discussion which featured the participation of a psychiatrist, a famous writer, a human rights activist, a young gay celebrity and an influential lawyer – all gathered to discuss the LGBT issue from different perspectives in the Myanmar context.

Latvia celebrated IDAHOT 2014 with an “express yourself” photo booth in Riga. Allies and families of LGBT activists constituted a big part of the crowd.

LGBT activists and their friends at MOSAIC organization invited community members and supporters to Riga on May 17 to express themselves however you want, in support of the LGBT community.

This year’s celebrations also included a photo session in the Old Town streets and at various key sites in Riga. The photo booth was made public on the internet via a hashtag campaign. The use of internet campaigning was symbolic in this case – designed to raise awareness of the fact that a significant level of homophobic and transphobic abuse takes place online.

The “Fotografēsimies” campaign showed that despite homophobic and transphobic expressions against LGBT people, and their friends and supporters, activists in Latvia manage to maintain a celebrating attitude towards life, and keep striving for a society in which all people are respected and treated as equal, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, national origin or religious belief.

Further information

• Mosaic Orgnization (in Latvian): Facebook page

& PROUD is an initiative of YG events and Colours Rainbow. YG is a social business with a gay heart – best known for organising the monthly fab party in Yangon. Colours Rainbow is an NGO working for LGBT rights and is at the centre of the LGBT community in Myanmar – hosting a network of LGBT organisations in the country. Their lDAHOT event, & PROUD Myanmar LGBT Photo Competition, is a competition that challenges photographers in Myanmar to increase the visibility of the LGBT community.

For the IDAHOT week there will be the following activities:
& PROUD Photo Exhibition
When – 11 May to 18 May, 2014
When – 10 AM to 5 PM
Where – The Witness Yangon Documentary Arts Space, 3rd Floor, Pyan Hlwar
Building, 4A Parami Road, Mayangone, Yangon.

IDAHO Public Event (17 May 2014)
Time – 10 AM to 1 PM
Where – Sann Chaung Thar at People’s Park
Panel Discussion on LGBT & Equality (17 May 2014)
TIme – 2 PM to 4 PM
Where – American Center, 14 Tawwin Road, Dagon Township, Yangon

IDAHO Party (17 May 2014)
Please check here for place and new updates.

With this photo competition, the organizers aspire to highlight positive images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Myanmar by showcasing the portraits that can go beyond stereotypes, and encouraging pictures which capture the diversity of Burmese LGBT communities.

The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers, regardless of their nationality, sexual orientation and gender identity, as long as the submitted photos depict LGBT people originated from Myanmar, and are taken in Myanmar. You can read the full competition guideline (including the prizes for best shots) here.

For more information about the event, go to the event’s Facebook page or contact and-proud@ygevents.com

Spread the word. Help our brothers and sisters in Myanmar escalate their fight against homophobia & transphobia!