This year’s IDAHOT was marked by a big wave of mobilisation in the South Pacific island of Fiji – where all events keyed into the 2014 focus on Freedom of Expression. FEMLink Pacific, a grass roots women’s radio station had a day of broadcasts around the day, featuring the participation of 30 rural women’s leaders, amongst many other highlights. Haus of Khameleon, Emerging Leaders Forum Alumni and Drodrolagi Movement organized a “Family Fun Day OUT!”.

FemLINK Events

The IDAHOT inspired events were built around FemTALK 89FM’s “Rainbow Connections” radio programmes, which were launched in February 2014 and are produced and hosted by SOGI activists including The Haus of Khameleon, Oceania Pride and Rainbow Women’s Network. 28 participants including rural women leaders, members from Oceania Pride, Haus of Khameleon and the Rainbow Women’s Network came together through FemLINKPACIFIC’s rural community media network and affirmed that regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity and religion, everyone’s development priorities are the same.

The theme for their community radio 10th anniversary campaign was “Communicating Peace, Development, Diversity, Security and Freedom” which connected with the IDAHOT 2014 focus on Freedom of Expression.

The programmes covered issues ranging from Gender Equality in Disaster Risk Management and Responses, Economic security and equality in decision making, access to services, and disability rights. A youth speak out session also discussed current youth priorities, including mental health and well being.

In Fiji, IDAHOT 2014 was merged with the 10th anniversary celebrations of FemLINK – a grass roots feminist community media project.

Family Fun Day Out

Haus of Khameleon, Emerging Leaders Forum Alumni and Drodrolagi Movement held a “Family Fun Day OUT!” to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014. The call for the event said “The daily struggle that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) communities encounter in our endeavours for Equality, Diginity and Humanity would not be as substantial to the movement if it weren’t for the firm and unwavering support of our loved ones – families (chosen and biological), partners and friends.”

The Family Fun Day OUT involved activities for children, games, music, creative expressions and a candle light vigil followed by an after party.

From the Source: One of the many photos from today as we mark a belated International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia at the My Suva Park. Vinaka shukriya and thank you to all those who brought their friends and families along and made today so special and memorable! More photos coming later. ‪#‎IDAHOT‬ ‪#‎Fiji‬

In a write up of the event in The Fiji Times, organiser Kris Prasad said: “This is a belated celebration. We were supposed to have the fun day on May 17, on the actual International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia but couldn’t because of bad weather… This day really is to bring everyone together. Our previous events to mark May 17 were always on the serious side. We wanted to have a family fun day so we can enjoy fun activities with our friends and family, and especially the children.”

Media Coverage

• The Fiji Times: LGBT Community Hosts Fun Day

Palestinian women’s groups held a day long program to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2014. The programme included a session with the participation of students and school authorities.

Palestinian women’s/LBTQI group ASWAT had a study day for school counsellors to raise awareness about sexual orientation and gender identities.

You can find out more about Aswat on their website.

Several Women’s associations mobilised this year to celebrate the Tunisian International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, whilst a Facebook campaign invited people to show resistance against homophobic hate.

A day of meetings, debates and cultural events was held to lay the foundations of an activists’ movement uniting lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and feminists in Tunisia. This event, coordinated by the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women and the organisation Chouf (“Look!”) marked a milestone in the emergence of “a space for expression and construction”, which women who have sex with other women find extremely difficult to access, given the dual oppression which they confront daily in Tunisian society.

The debates focused on developing human rights arguments for advocacy, and on web security, in a context where online activity is potentially dangerous for LGBTI communities.

Poster for IDAHOT 2014 in Tunisia

The organisation Damj also launched a Facebook campaign to alert people to the state of homophobia in the country, and also to invite resistance. Campaign visuals depict a bruised face with the caption ‘your punches won’t hurt me’, in a bold message that violence will not silence Tunisian LGBTI communities. Damj also organised an afternoon community discussion on confronting myths and realities about homosexuality.

“Your punches won’t hurt me” IDAHOT 2014 online campaign from Tunisia

Photo: source FemLINKPACIFIC page

FemLINKPACIFIC works towards empowerment of women by making their voices heard. Their aim is to raise awareness about the imbalances in society and to promote gender equality, peace and security. The radio station FemTALK 89FM is the first women-led community radio station in Fiji and the South Pacific.
FemLINKPACIFIC is celebrating their 10 year anniversary in May and will launch the campaign “Communicating Peace, Development, Diversity, Security and Freedom” in the same month.

Their campaign will include:
• Launch on Thursday May 1 – press conference at the Suva Community Media Centre
• Daily broadcasts on FemTALK 89FM Suva and Labasa which will feature programmes from their archives
• Promotion and Commemoration of IDAHOT from May 17 wrapping up with a “Rainbow Connections” consultation and community radio/TV simulcast (Nadi, 20 – 23 May) featuring 30 rural women leaders
• Promotion and Commemoration of Women’s International Day for Peace and Disarmament (May 24) with rural consultations and community radio/TV simulcast in Nausori (May 28 – 30) featuring 30 rural women leaders and young women
• Their focus from June 3 – 6 in Labasa with a community radio / TV simulcast will be “Communicating our Development Priorities” enabling 30 rural women leaders and youth to provide input on upcoming processes including the SIDS Conference and the Post 2015 Agenda

For more detail about the organisation and their campaign visit their website and/or Facebook page.