Over the past five years, rainbow flash balloon releases – or simply “rainbow flashmobs” – have become a core tactic for many groups taking action on IDAHOT, particularly in Eastern Europe…

Lesotho LGBTI communities and their allies came together to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Lesotho, for only the second year running in 2014. Over 200 people came together for a march through the the centre of the capital, Maseru, as well as for speeches, discussions and performances, in a series of events co-ordinated by the Matrix …

Moldova The country’s first ever LGBTI pride march was organized in Moldova in commemoration of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014, with the support of the UN Human Rights Office. About 300 participants – including some members of LGBTI communities in Eastern Europe, as well as diplomats and representatives of NGOs – took part in Chişinău’s “March for …

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe was one of various countries in Sub-Saharan Africa where the IDAHOT 2014 provided an entry point for encouraging discussion around sexual rights, with religious and political leaders, and on the part of the general public. Communities gathered at the Dutch embassy in the capital Harare, where Richman Rangwani, a leading councillor with the country’s ruling Zanu-PF party, spoke …

Azerbaijan In Azerbaijan, the organisation Nəfəs LGBT Azərbaycan Alyansı prepared two actions in order to commemorate IDAHOT 2014. The actions highlighted the importance of accepting LGBT people as part of society and also challenged violence and hatred against LGBT comunities with a European-wide campaign. In 2001, Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe and committed to several obligations, and yet LGBT …