Since 2003, International Day Against Homophobia, on May 17, has given the world a moment to focus on the breaches of human rights against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people here and overseas. It marks the anniversary of the removal of homosexuality in 1990 from the World Health Organisation’s list of mental illnesses.
Despite the advances in gay rights, homophobia is still prevalent in today’s world. Approximately 80 countries around the world still criminalize sexual acts between same-sex adults, and nine countries prescribe the death penalty.
‘International Day Against Homophobia provides hope that one day a better world is achievable if we speak out against injustice and demand all human beings are treated with dignity and equality. We’re asking friends and family to send an email to their local MP to tell them they care about their gay relatives and friends’, said Ghassan Kassisieh, spokesperson for the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.
‘This is a day to reflect on the intolerable breaches of human rights against our sisters and brothers across the world. It is a day to speak out against the torture and execution of sexual minorities worldwide, as well as the bullying and victimisation in our own streets and schools, and the legal discrimination that continues to face same-sex relationships and families’, Kassisieh added.
According to www.idahomophobia.org, IDAHO is different from Pride Day because ‘the annual LGBT Pride Day marches emphasize that Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals are proud of their identity and refuse to be shamed; The Global Day Against Homophobia [IDAHO] highlights that in reality it is homophobia that is shameful and must be deconstructed in its social logic and fought against openly’.
Curtin Lesbian, Alternative and Gay (CLAG) will commemorate IDAHO. With an open-mic, fairy-floss and same-sex partnerships register launch. Events will be held in the Guild area at Curtin and start at noon.
