In Spain, a huge wave of mobilisation was registered for IDAHOT 2014, with numerous groups and organisations taking action in at least 10 cities and provinces, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valladolid, Valencia, Alicante, Melilla, Oviedo, Ávila, Sitges and Seville.

Just some of the actions reported around the IDAHOT 2014 in Spain were:

Valladolid: The Organisation PAC LGTB+ Valladolid held two events to commemorate the IDAHOT 2014

Activities held were (on Thursday, May 15), a presentation of the video “LGBT-Phobia in our streets” and (on Saturday, May 17) a Kiss-In against LGBT-Phobia

The platform Apoyo al Colectivo LGBT+ (Support of LGBT+ people) from Valladolid is formed by activists, joined to fight discrimination. Its main objective is to combat LGBT-Phobia in Valladolid and the wider province.

Poster for IDAHOT 2014 in Valladolid, Spain.

For more information visit their website, follow them on Twitter or see their Facebook page.

Valencia: The organisation LAMBDA – col·lectiu de lesbianas, gais, transexuales y bisexuals (LGTB Collective) – in Valencia , Spain organised various acts for May 17.

On Saturday, May 17 at 7pm, they invited everyone to join on the Plaza de los Pinazo de Valencia (at the exit of the metro station Colón) for the manifestation of the International Day against Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (LGTB-Phobia).

For 2014, in the International Year for LGBT Human Rights, they prepared ‘a surprise to claim an end to the violence worldwide and the escalating LGTB-Phobia that we are suffering from, especially in certain parts of the planet, but with the awareness that no country is free from discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.’

LAMBDA, is a non-profit organisation that was founded in September 25, 1986 prompted by the situation of legal discrimination and social marginalisation homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals were suffering under.

For more information visit their website, follow them on Twitter and visit their Facebook page.

Madrid: Organisations COGAM and Arcópoli take action for IDAHOT 2014

Arcópoli organized a street event on Saturday, May 17 at 6pm, where they created a giant mural about LGBT rights in the world, and held various other activities to raise awareness about the situation of LGBT people in the world. For the finale, they displayed a giant rainbow flag, and performed a theatre act to demand equality commitments from the government of Spain. They also organised a talk with Amnesty International on Monday, May 12, in which they discussed AI’s work done in the field of LGBT rights.

At the same time, the organisation COGAM also held a discussion event and a a rally. COGAM is the LGBT collective of Madrid that has worked for more than 25 years towards equality for LGBT people. It is one of the founding institutions of the FELGTB and one of the driving forces since the beginning for gay marriage in Spain.

Both organisations are part of the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Trans (FELGTB) of Spain.

For more information:

Acrópoli: website, Twitter and Facebook
COGAM: website, Twitter and Facebook

Alicante: The organisation Diversitat Alicante also hosted a series of events around May 17

As part of the activities of May 17 they organised the following events:

May 10: The first edition of the “Angie Simonis” awards. This award is named after the activist Angie Simonis, who was president of the Collective from 2005 till 2007 and recently passed away. It is their unique tribute to this fighter for the Human Rights of the LGBTI Collective, especially for the visibility of lesbians.

Diversitat’s directive together with its members and partners voted 3 winners of this First Edition: Individual, Collective and Institution/Association. The winners of the Angie Simonis 2014 awards were:

• Amnesty International (Combating Discrimination in the World)
• University of Alicante (for Equality)
• José Luís Rodriguez Zapatero (Civil Rights and Legal Progress)

May 15: Presentation of the theatre play “Wonderful”, at 12:00 Parainfo University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig

May 17 : Video forum LGBT event.

Diversitat is a non-profit association comprised of women and men located in the Counties of Alicante, who- among other things- are united as Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Bisexual and Intersex (LGBTI) but also in the defence of Human, Civil, Cultural, Political and Economical Rights which everyone is entitled to.

For more information visit their website, follow them on Twitter or visit their Facebook page.

Other actions

The Spanish Scout Association released a statement of support for the IDAHOT 2014. Spanish National newpaper El Diario published a positive round-up of events around the world which was shared over 4,000 times. They link to actions taken in Melilla, Oviedo, Ávila, Sitges, Valencia, Valladolid and Alicante.

The organization UNIDI Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic organized the 2nd GLBTH University Forum, in commemoration also of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014. Progressive communities of faith as well as LGBTI family groups also came together to take action on the IDAHOT. The Day in the Dominican Republic was also marked by a video awareness-raising campaign against transphobia, by Transsa Dominica.

The 2nd Forum for Diversity University UNIDI took place in the city of Santo Domingo under the theme “Educating for Diversity” on Friday, May 16, 2014.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Community Church, ICM, and Circle of Parents, Mothers, Families and Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) organized a parade in the Independence Park of the capital city, under the name “7 laps against Homophobia”. The Action was held on Saturday May 17 in the afternoon.

These groups were accompanied by various civil society organisations. Participants walked around the park to raise public awareness around LGBTI rights issues and, in particular, to challenge decision makers to develop public policy for the protection of human rights, to ensure better quality of life for sexual and gender minorities.

Finally Transsa Dominica organization prepared a series of videos to raise awareness about the importance and need for a gender identity recognition law in the Dominican Republic. You can watch one of the videos here:

Photos from IDAHOT 2014 in the Dominican Republic

Across Ireland, LGBTI and other civil, political and faith groups organised a variety of events in at least five different cities in celebration of the IDAHOT 2014. Actions included religious services, online panel discussions, music events and a campaign to stop homophobic and transphobic bullying in the workplace.

The Stand Up at Work Campaign

Together with ICTU, BeLonG To Youth Service launched a campaign against homophobic and transphobic bullying in the workplace. The Stand Up at Work project encouraged people to Stand Up! Against Homophobic and Transphobic Bullying, as part of BeLonG To’s annual awareness campaign in schools, amongst youth services, and – now – in workplace settings. BeLonG To and ICTU produced a video and developed print materials which were launched on Friday 16 May in Dublin, to coincide with International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Local activists highlighted that non-discrimination is a fundamental right at work as defined by the International Labour Organisation. Equal treatment is reflected in Irish Law by the Employment Equality Act 1998 – 2012, which outlaws discrimination on nine distinct grounds, including sexual orientation. Despite this, the experience of both BeLonG To and ICTU indicate that LGBT young adults can face significant discrimination in the Irish workplace.

Speaking at the launch, Michael Barron, Founding Director of BeLonG To, said:

Irish research has established that there is a serious problem with homophobia and transphobia in schools, leading to a devastating impact on the mental health of LGBT young people. LGBT young people have told BeLonG To that they face similar issues at work. These range from feeling silenced and excluded as staff in religiously maintained schools and hospitals as a result of Section 37.1, to losing jobs because of prejudice, to harassment and bullying at work. We are delighted to work with ICTU to bring the Stand Up! Don’t Stand for Homophobia or Transphobia campaign, which we have been running in schools for many years, into the workplace for the first time. In doing this we aim to empower even more young people to take a stand against homophobia and to make Ireland a safer and more equal place for all.

You can watch a video of the event here:

Panti Bliss video sends a Global IDAHOT message

BeLonG To also put together a video message with Panti Bliss, the famous drag artist, performer and activist from Ireland who reached thousands of people internationally with her successful anti-Homophobia speech of February 1, 2014. The video was released 9 days before the IDAHOT and highlights the importance of the day as well as the fight for LGBTQI rights in general.

You can find the video here.

Religious IDAHOT Services

Changing Attitude Ireland (C.A.I.), a Church of Ireland organisation with ecumenical friends arranged services in commemoration of IDAHOT in several cities in Ireland and Northern Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford.

IDAHOT Service in Cork, 2014. Source: C.A.I.

Changing Attitude Ireland (C.A.I.) is a Church of Ireland organisation with ecumenical friends, heterosexual and gay, lay and ordained, working for the full affirmation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons within the Churches in Ireland. C.A.I. is dedicated to celebrating and maintaining the traditional inclusivity and diversity of the Anglican Communion.

Online IDAHOT Forum

Front Line Defenders, together with the Irish LGBTI organization Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN), hosted a live Web Forum with leading LGBTI rights defenders from India, Russia, Uganda and Peru on Friday 16 May. The forum discussed recent legislative efforts to restrict LGBTI rights in those countries and explore the risks that human rights defenders (HRDs) face in their work to combat homophobia.

The panel featured:

• Clare Byarugaba, Coordinator of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law in Kampala, Uganda, and a 2012 recipient of a US Department of State Human Rights Defender Award.
• Sonal Giani, Advocacy Manager at the Humsafar Trust in Mumbai, India, who works on the ground dealing with crisis situations facing the LGBTI community.
• Jorge Alberto Chávez Reyes, President of MHOL, Movimento Homosexual de Lima, Peru, the oldest LGBTI organisation in South America.
• Manny de Guerre, Founder of the Side by Side Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival, based in St. Petersburg, Russia, which has come under attack since it started in 2008.

You can watch a video of the IDAHOT Forum here.

Freedom of Expression event in Dublin

The LGBTQ Network of the trade union SIPTU, marked the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia with a Freedom of Expression focused event which took place on May 16 at the Liberty Hall Theatre in Dublin. The event was focused on making noise against Homophobia and Transphobia and celebrating IDAHOT. It included guest speakers from INTO LGBT Teachers’ Group (on #Section37), and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (on equality in the workplace), as well as music from various artists, slam-poetry from Julie Goo, comedy from Breda Larkin and a *One Minute Noise Memoriam*.

Freedom of Expression event in Dublin. Source: SIPTU LGBTQ Network

IDAHOT 2014 in Galway

Joining Amnesty International Galway and Amach LGBT in celebrating IDAHO, G-Bar in Galway hosted an evening of music by Lunatic Spoons, Grounds for Invasion, Steven Sharpe and Tara Stacey, as well as a fundraising raffle for the Amach LGBT Resource Centre Project in Galway. Before the event, the local Amnesty group and Amach LGBT held a bake sale in commemoration of IDAHOT.

IDAHOT Event at G-Bar, Galway. Source: Amnesty International Galway

IDAHOT 2014 in Galway Ireland.

Activists from Amnesty join local LGBTI groups in Galway Ireland for May 17 2014.

In the Netherlands, a new website for LGBT Youth activities was launched on IDAHOT 2014, and the Oranje Kerk in Amsterdam also organised a IDAHOT vigil to remember the victims of Anti-LGBT violence.

New Platform for LGBT Youth

The groups COC Netherlands, Movisie and NJR launched a new website for May 17, 2014, which is targeted towards LGBT youth. The website provides information about activities aimed at young LGBTI people in local areas. The website provides a good platform for people to know what is going on in their own region, but also to get connected and overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation. The website was launched on May 17 in commemoration of IDAHOT and was realised with the support of the Ministry of Education. The new website is: www.nietalleenanders.nl

IDAHOT Vigil in Amsterdam

The first IDAHOT-vigil, as part of the Global Interfaith Prayer Initiative in the Netherlands, was held in Amsterdam. The event included an hour of commemoration (prayer, silent reflection, song and testimony), and was aimed at giving hope to communities which have suffered the effects of hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The vigil was organised by the protestant Church, Oranje Kerk (Orange Church), and LKP, the national coordinating organisation of the Christian LGBT movement in the Netherlands. Testimonies were held by Narayan Fil, Moses Walusimbi and Jos van der Bijl. Revs Jantine Heuvelink (Orange Church) and Wielie Elhorst (on behalf of LKP) led the ceremony. Money was also collected for Pride Fonds (Pride Fund) of Amnesty International, and for COC Netherlands, the Dutch LGBT organisation.

Organisers advised: “The message of the vigil was that there is room for everybody under the skies of heaven, without distinction and to spread the living hope that someday every single person will be fully included and can fully participate in church and in society.”

For more information about the Oranje Kerk in Amsterdam please visit their website or go to their Facebook page.

Source: Oranje Kerk Amsterdam

Source: Oranje Kerk Amsterdam

Source: Oranje Kerk Amsterdam

Source: Oranje Kerk Amsterdam

Italy was witness to one of the strongest mobilisations for IDAHOT 2014, in Europe and worldwide. Actions took place in at least 15 cities, and countless topics and communities were the focus of activities around May 17 this year. Progressive voices of faith and individuals joined in prayer, reflection and remembrance in 14 towns and cities, as part of a Global Interfaith Prayer Initiative for IDAHOT 2014. The project ‘ddl405′ launched a video and public call for anti-transphobia and anti-intersexphobia messages to support their campaign. In the north of Italy a local youth organisation brought more than 500 people together to hug a UNESCO monument, amongst many other events.

Global Interfaith Prayer Initiative

For many years now, the Global Interfaith Prayer Initiative, organised from Italy by Gionata, an Italian Project addressing Faith and Homosexuality, and with the support of the European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups, has taken place throughout the period around May 17 in various cities in Italy, and other countries. The focus of the vigil is to commemorate the victims of homophobic violence and discrimination. At the same time, organisers and participants also stand up and speak out against prejudice within the Church. The events were organised by local churches and groups, and took place in the following cities in Italy this year:

May 12: Bologna
May 15: Florence and Palermo
May 16: Padova, Parma, Pistoia and Rome
May 17: Borgo Priolo, Catania, Forano Sabino, Licata, Mantova, Pecara, Pinerolo, Rome, Torino and Trieste
May 18: Rome, Florence, Grosseto, Licata, Milan, Naples, Padova, Rimini and Trapani
May 20: Genova
May 22: Milan

The vigils and commemorations are set to continue in Italy until June 13 and will include Palermo, Livorno and Cremona.

Campaign ddl405

On the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the project ddl405 has launched their campaign video for the draft bill DDL405 to put forward to the Parliament. The bill would protect the rights of Italian transgender and intersex people, making a series of changes to the current legal framework.

The claims are to
– stop forced surgery for transgender people to enable them to legally change their name and gender;
– ease off the bureaucracy and relieve the expenses of transition;
– prevent the unconstitutional annulment of marriage in case one of the spouses changes their legal gender;
– end mutilating surgeries on intersex infants.

You can watch the ddl405 campaign video here (launched May 15):

The initiative also invited people to send in their message against Transphobia and Intersexphobia with a picture which was then published on their Facebook page.

Here is a message from Francesca Cellini, a candidate for city council in Bagno a Ripoli:

Francesca Cellini, local Italian politician, leaves her IDAHOT 2014 message.

You can find out more about the campaign on their blog and you can sign the petition here.

Free Expression Zone Bologna!

On May 17, the Cassero LGBT Center in Bologna together with ArciLesbica Bologna and other groups declared a Free Expression Zone on the Piazza dei Celestini in Bologna and later on they also took action in via d’Azeglio and Piazza del Nettuno. The public space was created into a space free from violence and racism, where all identities can be expressed. The space was created together with other civic associations active in the field of LGBT or other social justice questions. The space was occupied with workshops, small events, information tables, and activities from morning to evening.

You can find out more about the Center on their website and on Facebook page.

Casa Delle Donne di Milano

On May 18, the Casa delle Donne di Milano organised a conference with presentations and a discussion on the struggles and violence LBT women face, and on good practice to combat homophobia. They also talked about social constructions and the self-image of teenagers. Eva Schwarzwald addressed gender stereotypes and specifically body images; Helen Ibry, an anthropologist, gave a tour of Europe in twenty minutes with numeric data, legislative proposals and political situations of countries; and Milena Cannavacciuolo spoke about popular culture.

Presentation at Casa Delle Donne di Milano

Hug-In in Vicenza

Organised by the local Youth organisation Arcigay, Vicenza (Northern Italy) hosted a big ‘hug’ against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. More than 500 people gathered to hug the Palladian Basilica, a UNESCO monument.

Source: Arcigay Vicenza

Flashmob Venice

The Collettivo Stonewall Venezia LGBTIQueer organised a flashmob against Homophobia on Campo Santa Margherita, Venice. The flashmob was aimed at sparking discussion and increasing public awareness, by participants wearing a mask of Putin in the streets while homophobic insults were shouted and stories told about the impact of homophobic violence. To provide more details they also distributed flyers.

Source: Collettivo Stonewall Venezia LGBTIQ

LGBT Training in Torino

On occasion of the IDAHOT 2014, the LGBT Office of the city of Torino carried out training sessions about gender identity and sexual orientation, as part of a national strategy to sensibilize state officials and police forces.

This year is particularly important for our LGBT Office as the City of Torino, as national Secretariat of RE.A.D.Y, the Italian Rainbow Cities, Provinces and Regions, has been assigned by the national Government the meaningful task of translating in concrete actions the objectives and measures of the national LGBT Strategy.

Top level trainings on LGBT topics have already been carried out for the national Police and Arma dei Carabinieri high rank officials in April 2014 while other top level trainings are going to be hold for CEO belonging to the Minister of Labour and Regions.

Locally, the LGBT Office held its first LGBT training in the jail of Ivrea, a city nearby Torino, on gender identity and sexual orientation in detention. The session addressed police officers, psychologists and social assistants of the Penitentiary Police working in the LGBT section of the prison of Ivrea. LGBT transsexual/transgender persons are likely to experience a double suffering in detention: restrictions of freedom, and restrictions in specific areas of prisons. “Our training focused on sexual identity, applicable law, good practice for the management of transsexual/transgender and homosexual persons in jail aiming at their social and professional reintegration in society,” the organisers explained.

Further details about the national strategy are available here.

In South Africa, various community groups organised actions for the IDAHOT in at least five cities (Cape Town, Malmesbury, Johannesburg, Durban and KwaZulu Natal). The events embraced topics such as Freedom of Expression, homo-, trans- and xenophobia, HIV/AIDS, progressive voices of faith, and LGBTI community pride. Actions included film screenings, panel discussions, the start of building a new community center, music and theatre performances, poems and public marches.

Johannesburg

In Johannesburg, leading LGBTI rights and arts organisation, Iranti-org, held an event which highlighted the importance of the 2014 global focus on Freedom of Expression. Together with several LGBTI organisations such Transgender Intersex Africa (TIA), Vutha LGBTI (in the Vaal region), and Uthingo-Daveyton, and in cooperation with Constitution Hill in Johannesburg they organised an event with panel discussions, art performances, such as poems and spoken words, a documentary screening and music.

You can watch a video report of the IDAHOT 2014 in Johannesburg here:

The event took place on May 17 at the Old Fort Prison at Constitution Hill, where anti-apartheid activists were detained for their activism. Events consisted of the following programme:

• Registration and welcome – Cindy Molefe: Director of the Programme
• Opening and Welcoming: Emilia Potenza
• Poems by: Lindo Miya, Maureen Velile Majola
• Screening: Protected, yet not free! A documentary from Iranti-org
• Panel Discussion – Panel Moderator: Cindy Molefe – Speakers: Thomas Ndayiragije, IGLHRC – Gugu Mandla, Iranti-org – Steve Letsike, Anova Health Institute – Phindi Malaza, FEW – Deliwe Qwabe, Traditional Healer – Mosa Mahlangu, TIA – Constant Ngwenya, Traditional Healer
– Madoda Sibeko-Bishop, Sufficient Grace Ministries Church – Summary of the discussion: Jabu Pereira
• Lunch
• Interactive messaging and photos
• Entertainment: Poetry and Music
• Sika
• Maureen Velile Majola
• Gabriel Hoosain Khan
• Selogadi Mampane: And All The Children of the Rainbow Shed Tears
• Bianca, performer
• Open mic
• Closure and vote of thanks

The 15-minute documentary ‘Protected Yet Not Free’, which was produced by iranti-org focused on bodily and gender expression of young lesbian students at Phomolong School, who were suspended for wearing pants. The other key areas of the documentary focus on a young lesbian woman, Deliwe Qwabe, who trained as a traditional healer, and believes that the visibility of her sexuality is integral to her traditional values.

The panel discussion afterwards discussed the issues raised in the documentary and highlighted the importance of the documentary as a tool for education about LGBTI rights and as an advocacy tool for outreach to communities and to government. Part of the discussion was also the potential regression of rights for LGBTI persons and of freedom of expression. In the spoken word and music session which followed, queer performing artists challenged gender norms and violence and celebrated diversity and freedom.

Prior to May 17, iranti-org team had conducted interviews with traditional, cultural and religious leaders, with a focus on religious freedom and the right to one’s sexual orientation and gender expression. The digital stories were presented at the event on May 17.

Jacob Jones performs their hit song Drag Queen. Photo by: Lebo Ntladi. Source: Iranti-org

Cape Town

In solidarity with the worldwide International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia commemorations, a team of creative artists, directors and coordinators put together a project, called ‘theodrama’ which brings together art, drama and spirituality. The performance addresses homo-, trans- and xenophobia as well as HIV/AIDS and consisted of installation, performance art, and storytelling, multimedia and live choral music. It was interactive and elicited emotional responses.
“Other” – a sacred journey from exile to belonging, forms Part 1 in a trilogy of theodramas, and was presented on May 16 and 17, and took place at the Centre for Christian Spirituality in Cape Town. The play was presented with support from Inclusive & Affirming Ministries and Gender DynamiX and had a turn-over of 65 in the two nights.

What is “theodrama”? Is it theatre? Is it dialogue? A workshop? Worship? Protest, therapy, circus? Art? Yes, it is.

‘Theodrama’ in Cape Town for IDAHOT 2014.

A few of the reactions received:

“One of the most powerful stagings I’ve seen in a long time” – Fahiem Stellenboom, marketing manager, Baxter Theatre, Cape Town

“It was so beautiful! It was like – world class! There was much love in the space.”
– Susan Groves, core process therapist

“Het baie baie gehou van ‘Other!” – Niël le Roux, previous director, Suidoosterfees

“Thanks so much for Friday night’s presentation. We felt very privileged to be there and enjoyed this excellent ‘installation‘ – so much to think about and such honest and vulnerable storytelling. Deeply moving. Keep going!!!” – Robert Steiner, minister, Rondebosch United Church

Durban

The Upper Room Communion, with the support of PFLAG – Same Love, Durban Lesbian and Gay Contact Centre / Durban Pride, KZN Bears, Durban International LGBT Film Festival and Durban GALTA (Gay and Lesbian Tourism Association) organised the ‘IDAHOT 2014 Beach Walk’, a march along the beachfront of Durban, which highlighted the global theme Freedom of Expression. The participants and organisers of the walk also expressed their solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe, Uganda and elsewhere in Africa where the rights to Freedom of Expression for LGBTI people are under serious attack.

IDAHOT 2014 in Durban, South Africa. Source: The Upper Room Communion

Pietermaritzburg

The Gay & Lesbian Network in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal also celebrated IDAHOT with a march on May 17. The procession started at Freedom Square on Church Street, and ended at the KZN Museum on Loop Street. The march stood as a strong symbol of pride for LGBTI communities.

Upon arrival at the museum, an open mic session was on the go. Poets, musicians and dancers took to the stage to commemorate this historic day of the year. Perfomances included a cover of Beyonce’s Drunk in love hit by a local band, Petunia and the Mob. A 21y/o Durban based social blogeer, Sandy Nene was the keynote speaker. He advised his fellow homosexuals on the importance of owning up to their rights and responsibility could pave a way for a more accepting and supporting environment. Playing a role in the societal initiatives would create a sound visibility and acknowledgement of homosexuals within the communities.

The Gay & Lesbian Network is a LGBT organisation that works for the rights and support of LGBT people in and around KwaZulu Natal.

Source: Gay & Lesbian Network

Malmesbury

The start of constructing a new community centre in the city of Malmesbury – 30 minutes North of Cape Town –  called ‘CALEM Rumi’s Isiphephelo’ was launched on May 17. Run by CALEM, the ‘Confederation of Associations LGBT, Euro-Africans or Muslims’, the centre will become the first international, inclusive, self-sustainable Muslims’ centre (an inclusive mosque, a refugees’ shelter & a progressive imam-es training institute) in South Africa.

The goal of the center is to ‘promote empowerment, learning, sharing and freedom’. It will provide refuge for healing from persecution trauma, and will welcome, train and empower vulnerable individuals, especially LGBT people from a Muslim background, with a priority for those coming from the Middle-East and Africa, and for those thrown out of their homes, communities or countries because of their sexual orientation. The centre will also welcome and train HIV positive individuals, and women from a Muslim background, in need of support, who are discriminated because of their HIV status or gender. The centre is scheduled to be ready and open by mid-June 2014.

Promotional material for the new community centre ‘CALEM RUMI’s Isiphephelo’, launched May 17, 2014.

The event will be held on Saturday May 17, 2014, 10:30am – 4:00pm. At St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, WC2B 4JJ (map).

Organisers explain:

‘This workshop prays through and with the stories of individuals who have tapped into prophetic hope in the midst of homophobic oppression. It focuses on the story of the martyred Ugandan organizer David Kato, who, with his religious and secular friends, resisted the anti-gay witch-hunts in his own country; and it focusses on the stories of local panelists from Africa and Britain, who have fought for LGBTI and immigrant justice here in London. Through discussion, reflection, and prayer, we hope to discover the ways that God is stirring up prophetic hope in our own lives. How is God calling us to love one another more deeply, in action, in word, and in prayer?

The workshop will include a screening of the award-wining documentary ‘Call Me Kuchu’ (2012), which chronicles the life and murder of David Kato, and the continuing inspiration he has had on LGBTI Ugandans and their straight allies; it features the story of Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, who supported David’s work at the cost of his own exile and persecution by Church authorities. Joining us to discuss their own journey from injustice into prophetic hope are Revd. Ijeoma Ajibade of the Diocese of London and the international Kaleidoscope Trust for LGBTI human rights; Godwyns Onwuchekwa, founder of Justice for Gay Africans Society; Revd. Sharon Ferguson of MCC North London and the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement; Edwin Sesange, Director of the African LGBTI Out & Proud Diamond Group; and Revd. Jide Macaulay, founder of the House of Rainbow Fellowship.

Lunch and coffee are provided. Tickets are free to asylum seekers and people of limited income; £10 for other participants. Please consider donating £5 or £10 to make it possible for others to attend!

It is our own Christian churches that play a crucial role in supporting homophobic rhetoric and policies of hatred in countries like Uganda, Nigeria, and Russia. Homophobia is also still very much present in the UK, as recent statements from the Anglican House of Bishops sadly attest. It is woven tightly into racism and classism; it feeds people’s irrational fears about immigrants, and ongoing repression within immigrant communities. As LGBTI Christians and friends, we believe we can find prophetic hope in the midst of this brokenness, homophobia, and sin. This day long workshop in the heart of London, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, on IDAHO (the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) offers fellowship, input, and space. Please join us, or pray for our meeting, as we seek deeper reflection and spirit-led action.

Order tickets via TicketSource (free tickets for asylum seekers): LivingInPropheticHopeIDAHO2014.ticketsource.co.uk

If you would prefer a different method of payment/ RSVP, please send us a message to LivingInPropheticHopeIDAHO2014@gmail.com.

Scholarships are available. Please email LivingInPropheticHopeIDAHO2014@gmail.com.

Organised by Changing Attitude Greater London, a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual members of the Church of England. It works for the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the life of the Anglican Communion.’

More information on the event can also be found at the official facebook page.

Event poster: