2011 round up: Part two: The growth of international projects

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

By Paul Canning

I'll be rounding up the year in a series of posts - in which no doubt I've missed something, so please let me know what I've missed in the comments!

The growth of international projects

The May 17 International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), initiated by the black gay French leader Louis-Georges Tin, exploded this year with events from Lebanon to Fiji - in all over 70 countries took part.

One highlight amongst many: the presence, the voice of Burmese LGBT at events in Thailand. The spread of participation also highlighted the gaps - such as most of the Middle East and North Africa and elsewhere in Africa - as well as the almost total absence of IDAHO events in the United States.

The 'It Gets Better' project tackling bullying of LGBT teens and suicide drew large (although almost completely partisan) participation in the US but extended beyond to Finland, Canada, the UK, the EU, Malaysia, South Africa and Sweden. Diaspora Middle Eastern gays produced videos. In other countries, like the Netherlands and the UK, their own anti-bullying projects were launched with state backing.

In Africa we've seen the growth of networks (and networking) such as via the now 831-member strong International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) African branch, headquartered in South Africa, as well as of other pan-African networks like Amsher, which focuses on HIV/AIDS projects for both gay men as well as men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM). There was also new LGBT media in Africa: The news website Behind The Mask, again out of South Africa, grew with many new correspondents covering much of the continent. There are two new LGBTI magazines in Kenya, one online and another in print. In September Q-zine launched as "the pan-African voice for LGBTI and queer youth".

'Pride' and the rainbow flag became increasingly visible in India with marches seen both in new cities and more and bigger events in the biggest cities. 2011 saw increasing depictions and discussions of homosexuality in the Indian news media and by Bollywood.

The impact of international funding and organised training in Africa and elsewhere showed in more professional organising and in improved relationships with both civil society and with local media. A particular highlight is Kenya which now has scores of groups including ones in remote areas. International HIV/Aids funding began to recognise a requirement to fund gay/MSM local projects and to oppose the criminalisation of homosexuality because of its impact on HIV/Aids prevention, however 2012 will likely see a setback with the announcement of a funding crisis at the biggest funder, the Global Fund.

Organised religious support for LGBT rights in Africa also grew, particularly marked by the work of the group Other Sheep, and the international activism of Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, from Uganda.

The international LGBT-specific 'clictivism' project allout.org grew to over a million members, highlighting the core role of the Web and social media in LGBT activism everywhere, but also the flip-side of activism's susceptibility to monitoring and crackdown - as has been tried in Turkey.

Earlier this month the United States announced that it was embedding international LGBT human rights engagement throughout government, including creating a new fund for grass-roots projects and directing that anti-discrimination be encouraged from USAID contractors. This announcement builds on earlier efforts, mainly of some European governments like the Dutch, who announced this year the creation of a huge fund for MSM/gay HIV/Aids projects that will help isolated communities, mainly in Africa.

In a development which will have long term implications, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which covers Latin America and the Caribbean, set up an LGBT rights unit.

Related articles

• In West Africa, Nigerians to train LGBT advocates for the region (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• What preceded Hillary Clinton's UN speech? (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• Video: Envisioning LGBT Human Rights (madikazemi.blogspot.com)

Overview: The fight for LGBT rights in Indonesia

A brave band of queer activists defied a rising right-wing climate of intimidation to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17, 2008, in Jakarta. Photo: Irwin Fedriansyiah

Source: Freedom Socialist Party

By Alison Thorne

To Australia’s north lies Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation, where queer rights activists are showing a new combativeness.

In May, delegates from organisations representing workers, women, farmers, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, sex workers, and refugee organisations met in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta for the Civil Society Conference of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). They released a statement demanding that their governments “recognise, promote and protect” LGBT rights. This milestone resulted from vigorous organising by gay rights groups across Southeast Asia, including 15 in Indonesia. The conference also produced the first ASEAN Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer People’s Caucus.

The same month, activists mobilised for the International Day of Action Against Homophobia (IDAHO), which included rallies in Jakarta. Sixty-two organisations released a statement demanding protection for everyone regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Developments in Indonesia make this a much-needed protection for LGBT people there. Several years ago, the government began allowing provinces and regions to locally adopt sharia (a reactionary legal code based on Islamic religious laws), and many areas have done so. And a sweeping “anti-pornography law” that labels homosexuality as deviant took effect in 2008.

The archipelago’s LGBT movement is amongst the oldest in Asia; the country’s first openly gay organisation, Lambda Indonesia, launched in 1982. Now, however, the queer movement there is experiencing the same thing as others around the world: as it makes new advances, it is coming into sometimes violent conflict with a rising religious right.

Read more »

Looking back at IDAHO 2011: interview with Louis-Georges Tin

Louis-Georges Tin image by yXeLLe ~@rtBrut~ via Flickr

Source: Tetu

An interview with the President of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), renowned French activist Louis-Georges Tin [Via Google Translate].

Tetu: What can we learn from IDAHO 2011, a month later, in terms of its actions?

Louis-Georges Tin: The international campaign launched around May 17 reached more than 200 million people in over 70 countries around the world. The mobilisation is increasing year by year, with the field work of activists.

In addition, the IDAHO Committee received two major advances at the institutional level: first, the Director General of Unesco, Bokova, make a statement on May 17, supporting the fight against homophobia and transphobia. This is a historic first. These are strong words, which should be followed by actions - we will be vigilant. Second major breakthrough, the IDAHO Committee received May 17, the French government asked the International Labour Organisation to take action against discrimination faced by LGBT people in the world of work, and to conduct an international investigation into the subject. It will push until the ILO accepts, but for the subject to be raised at this level is already a big step, because these surveys are important tools in the fight against discrimination.

Tetu: Can we say that the French government is mobilised against homophobia?

IDAHO in Beijing

Louis-Georges Tin: The government, on the whole, no. Moreover, the prime minister is languishing in the depths of the ranking of IDAHOmètre we published with TÊTU on May 17. Same for the Overseas Territories, Justice, Culture and Education ministries. However, on the occasion of IDAHO 2011, more than ten departments are committed to our side by taking effective measures. And in some cases, they're very important advances.

Read more »

In Iran, report says brave LGBT distributed leaflets against homophobia

Iranian LGBT on a LGBT march in Ankara, Turkey

By Paul Canning

Elahe Amani reports on Women's News Network that the “We are everywhere” online campaign by Iranian LGBT for the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) extended to Iran itself.

A report on the Global Network of Iranian Women says that the Iranian “Rainbow Community” distributed leaflets about homophobia 17 May in Tehran and other cities in Iran. The report carries the text of the leaflets which say that 'homophobia is treatable' but people are born homosexual. It said that homosexuals are not pedophiles. It also says that homosexuals 'have no desire to change their gender' - many gay men have been forced to do this in Iran, which funds sex-reassignment surgery.

The report goes on to say that the Iranian diaspora media failed to report this extraordinarily brave action and  "in addressing various aspects of human rights violations and discriminations did not take full advantage of the opportunity to educate the public about homophobia.”

On Friday, The Guardian reported that condoms were being handed out to violent criminals in Iranian jails and encouraging them to systematically rape young activists locked up with them.

Amani says that many feminist activists inside the Iranian Diaspora do have LGBT rights "on their radar".

Both the annual conference of The Iranian Women’s Studies Foundation, as well as that of Iranian Women in Germany, have presented, discussed and debated the conditions of discrimination and human rights violations of the LGBT community inside Iran and among the Iranian Diaspora.

In 2005, a formal statement signed by a number of Iranian bloggers and activists along with organisations said:

“Solving social problem(s) requires conscious and responsible participation of all citizens. The repression, prejudice, discrimination and injustice toward homosexuals is a social problem and the solution requires participation of all citizens regardless of their sexual orientation.”

The May 2011 “We Are Everywhere” campaign involved younger Iranians, many born and raised in Iran.

In his video on YouTube activist Ali Abdi stated:

“Hi! My name is Ali! I am recording this video because of May 17th, which is the international day against homophobia and transphobia. Homophobia is about all those practices, discourses, and beliefs that discriminate against homosexuals, those that increase violence and abuse against homosexuals, bisexuals, transgender people and transsexuals.”

“I wish living in a world in which those people who do not consider themselves as “heterosexual” are not regarded as unnatural, abnormal, or patient. I wish living in a world that nobody is abused because of her/his sexual orientation or gender performances.”

“We, all standing beside each other, are members of a rainbow community without borders, and there are always opportunities and possibilities of improvisation in gender and sexual expressions.”

See more "We are everywhere" videos.

Related articles

• "Ahmadinejad! We're right here!" LGBT Iranian asylum seekers march in Ankara (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• Iran: "We are Everywhere" Campaign Against Homophobia (globalvoicesonline.org)
• In Cyprus, an Iranian lesbian refugee struggles for sanctuary (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• Report: Surviving rape in Iran's prisons (madikazemi.blogspot.com)

Assaults, arrests at St Petersberg Slavic Pride

Homophobe attacking Alexander Sheremetyev, an organizer of the Pride

Source: GayRussia.Ru

Saturday 25 June was the second attempt by LGBT activists of St. Petersburg to host an annual Gay Pride March. Last year's attempt was banned by the city hall. Despite the ban, two dozen LGBT activists defied the ban and walked in front of the famous Hermitage Museum. The police arrested 5 participants.

The same scenario happened this year as the Pride was again banned and organizers again said they will not cancel their plan. As was announced 24 June during a press-conference, the banned Pride started at 2pm at the statue of Peter the Great in the center of the city. 20 people showed up for the event and 14 were arrested. One was assaulted by a homophobe (can be seen in the photo) and one at the police station by a police officer.

This year, St. Petersburg Pride is hosting the third Slavic Gay Pride. Slavic Gay Pride is a union of Russian-Belarusian-Ukrainian Pride organizers. Previous Slavic Gay Pride in Moscow (2009) and Minsk (2010) were banned and participants were arrested.

Arrest of Nikolai Alekseev

At the 24 May press conference it was announced that next year's Slavic Gay Pride will take place between Finland and Russia.

"We believe that by starting in Finland, we might finally have a chance to march legaly at least for the first part," said organiser Nikolai Alekseev.

In a press release the President of the IDAHO Committee Louis-Georges Tin called for a protest from the French government.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is being lobbied to condemn the arrests at an LGBT Pride month event taking place today in Washington DC.

Yesterday during Berlin Pride a protest took place outside the Russian Embassy. Next weekend one is planned for London.

• Live blog of events

Related articles

• In Russia, Moscow Pride has changed attitudes for the better (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• A day in the life of homophobic Russia (madikazemi.blogspot.com)

Event: Louis-Georges Tin: IDAHO in London

Louis-Georges Tin, founder of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) will be giving a talk in London this Friday, 10 June.

Louis-Georges will be talking about worldwide homophobia and transphobia and how these issues can be addressed. He will also be talking about the future development of IDAHO and ways in which the UK campaign could be organised especially in London.

• More info about this GALHA public meeting 
• Facebook event page

Related articles

• International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia: pictures from around the world (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• Lebanese bloggers join International Day Against Homophobia, participate in massive Brazil action against hate crimes (madikazemi.blogspot.com)

Burmese LGBT speak out at IDAHO event in Thailand

Image by rocor via Flickr

Source: The Irrawaddy

Anti-homophobia activists from Burma who attended an event in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 17 May said that gays and transsexuals in the country are subjected to systematic abuse and ill-treatment in their country.

The event, held to mark International Day Against Homophobia, attracted about 40 gay rights activists from Burma.

One of the attendees, Aunty Sein, told The Irrawaddy that the Burmese authorities openly discrimination against people based upon their sexual orientation.

“They extort money from us, bar us from public service, and even in hospitals, we are are badly discriminated against,” said the Rangoon-based makeup artist.

“Even though International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is being celebrated in over 140 countries around the world, we aren’t allowed to join with others in Burma. I therefore came to Chiang Mai for this event,” Sein said.

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia commemorates the World Health Organization's decision on May 17, 1997, to stop listing homosexuality as a mental illness or abnormality.

Aung Myo Min, the director of the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB), noted that movies and videos in Burma do not show any respect toward homosexuals, but portray them as jokes and people of low social status. He said he would combat that attitude together with Burmese artists until it has been completely eliminated.

“If a homosexual person is cast in a movie, he or she just plays the role of a clown who is finally forced to return to his or her original sex. No one shows them any respect. We have to make this all change,” said Aung Myo Min.

He also said that homosexuals who gather from across the country to attend the Taung Pyone spirit festival and the Yadanar Cave festival in Mattaya Township, Mandalay Division, are often humiliated by the local authorities.

“Some homosexual revelers are forced to strip off their clothes and are verbally abused during the Taung Pyone festival,” he said.

Homosexuals are not only victims of discrimination and abuses in the community but also in their own families. Training and awareness-raising have been going on to empower them, said Naw Naw, a coordinator of HREIB.

Naw Naw said that “if a gay person goes out in female clothes, he will get yelled at and humiliated.”

The Burmese authorities reportedly use two laws to repress gays - one banning “suspicious behavior” and Act 377, which bars homosexual intercourse. If a gay person is stopped by the police late at night, they could be charged under either law, resulting in extortion and abuse.

“We advocate revoking Act 377, which is the main legal tool for oppression of the homosexual community,” said Naw Naw.

A case that occurred last year highlighted the need to change the legal status of homosexuals in Burma, said Naw Naw. It involved a young gay man who sold betel nut near Sule Pagoda in downtown Rangoon. The 18-year-old man was gang-raped by a group of policemen after he was detained for failing to pay money that the police demanded.

“He was raped by nine policemen through the whole night, but no legal action was ever taken against the perpetrators,” said Naw Naw.

The ceremony in Chiang Mai was attended by people from Rangoon, Mandalay, Moulmein, Meiktila and other parts of Burma, as well as people from Thailand, the Philippines, the US and Europe.

Although gays are still looked down on by many in Burma, more homosexual couples can be seen in public these days, said attendees from Rangoon.

Related articles

• Burma's gay population want Thai-style acceptance (madikazemi.blogspot.com)

International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia: pictures from around the world

The International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia (IDAHO) has published dozens of pictures from events which took place around the world on its Facebook page. Among the events documented are ones taking place in China, Brazil, Russia, Bangladesh, Israel, Belarus, Fiji, Kenya, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Uganda. Many other country IDAHO pages also have lots of photos.

Some of the photographs:

Beijing

Bangladesh

Fiji

Kenya

Paraguay

UK embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka flies rainbow flag

Uganda

• There is a second album of photos!

Related articles

• Hillary Clinton Releases Statement Marking 'International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia' (IDAHO) (towleroad.com)

International Day Against Homophobia: some 'highlights'

Delivery of petition on IDAHO against hate crimes to Brazil Senate. Pic by Senator Marta Senadora.

By Paul Canning

There is a reason I wrote 'highlights' that way. Because there was far too much going on and because it's far too early to even attempt to catalogue or even report in any real way on everything that happened yesterday, the sixth International Day Against Homophobia.

Except this.

It was near global. Something happened in over 70 countries, and for those watching the @IDAHOMOPHOBIA Twitter stream this had to be the #1 impression.

So, some moments which happened to grab my attention.

In St Petersberg, Russian activists held a 'Rainbow Flashmob' despite threats from violent fascists: Here's the video. These people are brave. As are those in Minsk who were detained (video) and in Montenegro attacked.

In Beirut, activists plastered the streets with posters with slogans in Arabic and English like 'Normal: the Lebanese law disagrees' and 'Religion was all about love; I was wrong'.

In Jamaica the American Ambassador spoke out in an Editorial in a prominent newspaper against homophobia. Hillary Clinton had also made a statement “on behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States".

In Kisumu, a city in the Rift valley in Kenya, the gay community, sex workers, health care providers, the police and legal representatives came together to mark IDAHO

Transgender people published a map documenting more than 600 hate murders.

In Brazil a 100,000 strong petition against hate crimes was delivered to the Senate. There were demonstrations in the Phillipines - Batasang Pambansa had "colorful rainbow costumes" -
and Chile.

In France €700k worth of IDAHO TV advertising with celebs saying "yes to Equal Rights" and "no to homophobia" ran for a 11m audience.

Check out the global webportal of the day

There was something happening in China, in Nigeria, in Cuba, in Indonesia - but there were gaps: much of North Africa and the Middle East, Central Asia and a lot of Africa.

Yesterday's map of amazing events showed us where activists and communities are coming together - and where they are not.

One other point. There was another big gap in events for IDAHO: the USA. If it had not been for the participation of Lady GaGa as guest Editor of the Metro newspapers I wonder whether it would have rated much mention at all, whether the American LGBT community would have been aware of what was happening throughout the rest of the World. What was igniting the rest of the world.

Maybe it's to do with IDAHO being the brainchild of a French man? I hope not. It's America's loss.

Related articles

• In Lebanon, International Day Against Homophobia celebrated (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• In Russia, for IDAHO, activists catalogue hate speech, Moscow Pride banned (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• World Urged to Commemorate Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (mask.org.za)
• World Celebrates 7th International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (lezgetreal.com)

In Lebanon, International Day Against Homophobia celebrated

Posters on Beirut walls, 17 May 2011

By Gaytheist

The International Day Against Homophobia is a yearly occasion to remind the world that the fight for gay rights is not over yet. Discrimination still exists; Homosexuals fired from work, rejected by family or beaten to death are just a few examples of what gay undergo. There has been certainly some great progress in the past few years but more is yet to be achieved.

IDAHO is celebrated around the world, and Lebanon is no exception. The country might not seem like the perfect environment for gay activism, but recently there has been a lot of related buzz. Some Lebanese activists have started an inspiring blog where homosexuals and their friends can share stories about how homophobia affects their daily lives. The stories are beautifully written and accompanied by creative banners crafted by local artists. Additionally, a group of gay rights advocates have put up flyers in some areas of Beirut. It aimed to question people’s perception of homosexuality and get them to notice the damage caused by homophobia. The messages ranged from discrimination at the workplace, to death threats by family members and the current state of Lebanese law that criminalizes homosexuality under claims of ‘unnatural intercourse’. The campaign was well received, attracting public attention and interest on the blogsphere.

Helem, a Lebanese LGBT rights NGO, is organizing an event for the occasion 22 May. It will include documentary screening and panel discussions. The main theme for this year’s event is the rejection of all forms of discrimination against LGBT individuals. 

Links

• The Lebanon IDAHO blog

Coverage of the street campaign

• Gaytheist - Streets Of Beirut: Speaking Loud Against Homophobia
• NSFW - We're Going to the Streets!
• Helem event page

Related articles

• Lebanese bloggers join International Day Against Homophobia, participate in massive Brazil action against hate crimes (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• World Urged to Commemorate Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (mask.org.za)
• Cubans march against homophobia in Havana (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Video: UN Human Rights Commissioner's powerful support for LGBT human rights

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay released this address 4 May on hate crimes against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.

She cites incidents in Brazil, Honduras, the United States and South Africa.

She argues against those saying that sexual orientation and gender identity are 'new concepts' (the argument of the Conference of Islamic States and some African states in international institutions), saying that archaeologists have discovered evidence of same-sex relationships dating back 4,000 years. But she also notes that it is 17 years since UN human rights institutions said that anti-gay legislation was wrong.

She remembers how when she was a child those who were left-handed were forced to use their right hand.

"Those teachers may have though they were doing the right thing but in time we learned," she says. "People are different ... it does not matter. The important thing is to let people flourish."

Equal rights for all is "a great human rights cause and one I am proud to support."



For the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) a first ever brochure highlighting UN official positions on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Human Rights has been produced.

Related articles

• Lebanese bloggers join International Day Against Homophobia, participate in massive Brazil action against hate crimes (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• UN Human Rights Council: A Stunning Development Against Violence (iglhrc.org)

Lebanese bloggers join International Day Against Homophobia; participate in massive Brazil action against hate crimes

LGBT Lebanese bloggers have launched a joint blog to prepare for and promote Lebanon’s International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) events, coming up in a fortnight.

Eight bloggers are contributing at time of writing.

Discussion on Lebanon’s International Day Against Homophobia is also happening on twitter using the hashtags #LebLGBT and #LebIDAHO

IDAHO events internationally are being added to the website www.idahomophobia.org

The organisation has announced that the United Nations will be releasing ahead of IDAHO a first ever brochure highlighting UN official positions on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Human Rights. The brochure will be launched by a video adress from Human Rights Commissionner Navanethem Pillay.

Other events or actions announced include that the Transrespect versus Transphobia Worldwide project (TvT) will publish on its website an interactive map documenting over 550 killings of trans people worldwide since 2008.

Dozens of events will be happening throughout the UK. In Japan, 17 cities will host initiatives including an effort by the LGBT community to write letters of support for people impacted by the Tsunami and Earthquake. Eight cities in China will host events. US events will include for the first time ever an event in the State of Idaho.

In Burundi, LGBT groups will inaugurate the first shelter home for LGBT people who have been kicked out of their homes. Organisations Boys of Bangladesh and BANDHU are holding a series of conferences, film screenings and discussions on legal aspects within Universities to increase awareness amongst students. Kenyan LGBT people and sex workers will be marching in Kisumu and Nairobi and holding a one-day training session for police forces, lawyers and health care providers - plus a fashion show.

On 18 May thousands of activists will march on Brazil’s capital in the largest day of action against hate crimes and homophobia in Brazil's history. allout.org say this is a key opportunity to show Brazil's political leaders that people everywhere are demanding urgent action to end the escalating hate and violence. They are asking for supporters around the world to submit photos of themselves by 5 May (tomorrow) holding a sign urging the passage of an anti-hate crimes law to be included in a massive visual projection.

• To submit a photo > www.allout.org/brazil

Related articles

• International Day Against Homophobia events announced (madikazemi.blogspot.com)

In Belarus, LGBT "are not going to surrender"

Sergey Yenin

Source: GayRussia/UK Gay News

Fighting for democracy is a real challenge in Belarus, to say the least. Fighting especially for gay rights is even more difficult. In a country where homophobia is widespread, LGBT activists hardly get any support to their cause. Despite the risk it creates for their safety, they still believe that if being visible is a risk, it is also the only chance to change things.

Last year, the first Gay Pride to be held in Minsk was marred with violence from the police and 11 participants were arrested.

In January, a group of activists formed IDAHO Belarus, a local branch of the French-based LGBT NGO. A month later, they scored their first success with the organisation of the first ‘gay-labelled’ rally sanctioned in Minsk.

Hazard, or change of attitude?

The group is still struggling to get their organisation registered by the government – and some of its members have been pressured to spy for the notorious KGB, the local secret service.

In less than a month, they still plan to hold the first Equality Festival which will include a March to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17.

The co-chair of IDAHO Belarus, Sergey Yenin – a young Belarusian activist  who was ‘sacked’ from his university over political activism and arrested at last year’s Minsk Slavic Pride rally, answers our questions.

Q: Only one month after you formed IDAHO Belarus, the City Hall authorised your first rally for gay rights while all previous attempts were banned. Can you tell us more about it?

Read more »

International Day Against Homophobia events announced

The Intentional Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) has announced more events to take place on or around May17.

Fighting so-called 'reparative' therapies, aiming at "curing" sexual and gender diversity, is emerging as a theme.

A coalition of groups from Latin America and the Caribbean has launched a campaign called "Cures that kill". First signatories include the Brazilian Federal Council of Psychology, Mariela Castro and the Mayor of Lima.

• Read the full appeal and sign the petition

In Peru a week long programme in Lima includes a national seminar on 'reparative' therapies.

In Italy, Catholics will hold a Vigil of Prayer for the victims of homophobia.

The Latin Americans are seeking support from the international community and the wider public.

The IDAHO Committee has an online "As I Am" campaign which aims to "celebrate our individualities and to honor the collective spirit that binds us all, connecting us to universal, inalienable and interconnected human rights that all people share". It has invited submissions of creative videos, artwork, or written statements "about respecting a person for ALL of who they are".

May 17, the 20 national editions of the free daily METRO, read by 17 million people, will be edited by Lady Gaga. There is a contest for Gaga assistants.

Turkish LGBT group KAOS GL will launch a regional network against homophobia, as part of the sixth international IDAHO conference in Ankara. They said:

"The Conference for Middle East and Balkan Countries’ Homosexuals was a dream when we declared our foundation 16 years ago and shaped our liberation perspective. Liberation and survival struggles of LGBT in our region has always been a constant consideration for Kaos GL, one of the first LGBT organisations in Turkey. The reflections of all ethnic, religious and cultural diversity seen in the Middle Eastern, Caucasus and Balkan countries exist in Turkey’s society. Kaos GL has strived for this diversity to represent and express itself in the LGBT movement since its foundation."

"Homophobia is institutionalised in civil society and the public area by blending racism and nationalism in the countries of this region, including Turkey. Institutionalised homophobia integrates into historical animosities between the countries of our region and increases existing alienation between peoples. It is the LGBT organisations and the regional network between these organisations that will have to resist homophobic and sexist reflections of racist and nationalist policies in our region."

Read more »

Mexican LGBT activist flees to US, seeking asylum

Source: El Universal

[Google translation]

In the absence of precautionary measures of the Mexican State to guarantee their life, recommended by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) in April, the director of the Multiple Assistance Center (MAC) 33 and 34 of Chiconautla, Agustín Estrada Negrete fled the country and sought political asylum abroad.

The professor, who claims to suffer persecution by state authorities of Mexico and some people in the community of Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, which houses the schools for children with disabilities, only publicly declared homosexual, was violated September 15 by a group of strangers in a house where he hid.

Estrada said Negrete increased death threats against him, his mother and sister after he denounced discrimination only the local government embarked on their sexual preference.

For lack of official support, the mentor left Mexico a few days ago to protect his life because he suffered two bouts of violence in recent weeks.

The most recent was on 15 September when he was attacked and raped by a group of men in a house where he was hiding and left for dead, then tied him up with duck tape and covered with a plastic bag over his head.

"We told you you were quiet and did not understand, you fucking fag," said one of the strangers who subject. "Tart're dead," shouted another man, who put masking tape on the mouth. Among several put him in his room, pinned her hands and two of them raped her.

Read more »

"Maybe in France, I would be free to be gay"

Source: Tetu

[Google translation]

In Uganda, Usaam Mukwaya suffered the worst humiliations and threats because of his homosexuality. To live freely, gay activist has just [June 2010] arrived in France to seek asylum.

Since the Ugandan press has his photo and name, his life became hell. His family and friends rejected him, his employer fired, the passers-call "sodomite." In a market, it was even beaten and Muslims called for the murder. As for law enforcement: "The second time police arrested me, I was tortured, says the militant anti-LGBT and AIDS 25. I filed a case to the Human Rights Commission of Uganda, and I was unsuccessful. "

Feb. 14, in the capital Kampala, Usaam Mukwaya met Louis-Georges Tin, president of the committee IDAHO . Touched by his story, the French activist has launched an application for asylum, and mobilized the French Consulate in Uganda and the Departments of Immigration and Foreign Affairs. Assistance that enabled Usaam Mukwaya arrived in France yesterday with a visa that will allow him to complete his application for asylum. The beginning of a new life?

TÊTU: You come from Uganda, an English speaking country. Why did you choose to come to France?

Usaam Mukwaya: First, Louis George, who is French, was the first person I talked about what happened to me. He said he would do his best to get me out of this situation. Another reason: I know that France is a free country, and was told she is very respectful of human rights. So I told myself that, perhaps, by coming to France, I'd be free to be gay.

To obtain asylum, you must prove that you are persecuted, that your life is in danger because of your sexual orientation. Do you have enough evidence?

Read more »

Another attack on LGBT in Indonesia

Islam Defenders Front (FPI) flyer and banner condemning the IDAHO event. The flyer reads: "Dismiss them! We strongly reject International Day Against Homophobia here in Alun-alun Selatan, Saturday, 22 May 2010." Photos courtesy of IDAHO Jogjakarta organisers.

Source: fridae.com

By Sylvia Tan

Close to 50 people protested the police's inaction by cycling near the park where the scheduled event was to be held but the gathering was cut short after participants were warned that members of the Islamist group bent on breaking up any IDAHO activity were on their way.

A concert to be held in a public park in Yogyakarta (or Jogjakarta), Indonesia for LGBTIQ artists to showcase their talents and to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) last Saturday had to be cancelled after their permit was revoked, organisers told Fridae. Diversity Stage was to be the finale of a three-part IDAHO programme to be held on the evening of Saturday, 22 May, at Sasono Hinggil, a large hall situated in Alun-alun Selatan (the South Square) in a public park.

Yuventius Nicky Nurman, a co-organiser of the event, told Fridae in a statement that on the afternoon of Friday, 21 May, a representative of Sasono Hinggil went to the office of the IDAHO planning committee and requested that the building-usage permit that Sasono Hinggil had previously issued be returned.

Organisers say they were told by the representative said that the local police had officially asked the venue to rescind their permit citing violent threats received from Islam Defenders Front (aka Front Pembela Islam / FPI) – the same group that forced the cancellation of the ILGA Asia conference in Surabaya and the Human Rights training event at Depok, near Jakarta.

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Kenya: LGBT celebrate IDAHO, go public

Members of the Afra Kenya Gay activist group entertain a gathering at the National Museum where they assembled to mark the Gay day on May 17, 2010. Photo/FREDRICK ONYANGO

Source: Daily Nation

By Lucas Barasa and Joy Wanja

Scores of Kenya homosexuals celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia in style Monday and demanded for more recognition.

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersex (LGBIT) persons wined, sung and danced and for the first time allowed media coverage of their function to fight stigma and victimisation associated with their sexual orientation.

“Ten years ago there was no public place that could have hosted such a function,” Kenya Human Rights Commission director Muthoni Wanyeki, whose lobby organised the event at the National Museums of Kenya, said.

“Although the Committee of Experts did not allow same sex marriage in Kenya. The Proposed Constitution would enable all Kenyans access health and are free from discrimination and violence. The basic rights are for all Kenyans including people from the gay community.”

Ms Wanyeki, however, said despite the government allowing the gay community to meet the battle against harassment of and violence against sexual minorities is still on.

Same sex relationships

Activist Kate Kamunde, who sung lyrics urging the gay to unite and battle hate crime and homophobia, said the community was facing a lot of violence and that some parents stopped paying fees for their children after discovering they were engaged in same sex relationship.

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Chicago Protests in Solidarity With African LGBTs

Source: Gay Liberation Network

17 May activists chose to highlight the LGBT rights issues in three African countries – Uganda, Kenya and Malawi – as part of the city's third annual observation of I.D.A.H.O., International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

About 50 marchers held a picket in front of the city's popular Millennium Park interacting with rush hour commuters, several of whom joined the event.

A featured component of Chicago's I.D.A.H.O. was an address by John Adewoye of Courage-Nigeria, an LGBT rights group composed of African immigrants. Adewoye detailed the recent history of anti-LGBT repression in several countries on the continent.

Another speaker read out statements by a Malawi gay couple, Steven Monjeza (26) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga (20), whose words were recently smuggled out of prison after they were arrested for engaging to be married to each other.

Chimbalanga said, "I love Steven so much. If people or the world cannot give me the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover, then I am better off to die here in prison. Freedom without him is useless and meaningless."

"We have come a long way," said Monjeza, "and even if our family relatives are not happy, I will not and never stop loving Tiwonge."

The statements were transmitted to British human rights activist Peter Tatchell, who has played a key role in drawing world attention to Chimbalanga's and Monjeza's struggle as they potentially face long prison terms in one of the world’s poorest countries.

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New UK government recognises International Day Against Homophobia

By Paul Canning

Both the Home and Foreign and Commonwealth Office have released statements recognising the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).

In Turkey, the British Embassy released a statement saying it was "proud to celebrate IDAHO with colleagues from many countries and the Turkish LGBT rights group KAOS GL!" On Friday 14 May Stuart Adam, its Head of Political Section, took part in the opening panel discussion at the Fifth International Conference Against Homophobia in Ankara.

The following day the Embassy co-hosted a reception in Ankara for diplomats, politicians, journalists and human rights activists. Later it monitored the gay pride march through Kizilay, a neighborhood of the Turkish capital.

Two years ago the Foreign Office adopted an official programme to support the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people in other countries.

According to pinknews.co.uk there was (unsourced) speculation "whether the custom would continue under the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government".

Conservative New Europe Minister David Lidington released a statement saying:

"The UK has a long and proud history of defending the basic rights and freedoms of the oppressed and vulnerable.

"We are committed to promoting British values overseas and to placing human rights at the heart of foreign policy.

"Everyone, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people should be free to enjoy the rights and freedoms to which people of all nations are entitled."

According to the Foreign Office website the Uzbekistan Embassy also published support for Idaho.

Home Office Minister Theresa May marked IDAHO saying:

"This government is committed to creating a society that is fair for everyone and supports equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people."

"This means supporting civil partnerships, tackling homophobic bullying wherever it occurs, changing the law regarding historic convictions for consensual gay sex and using our international influence to put pressure on countries where LGBT people are persecuted."

"‘These commitments show our determination to tear down the barriers that continue to hold people back."

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