Stop Homophobia! IDAHO initiatives for youth
Many LGBT Youth organisation within IGLYO network have scheduled public events in which homophobia is discussed. Check the whole list...
IDAHO NEWSLETTER
Just as last year IFM-SEI, IUSY and ECOSY Young European Socialists produced a joined newsletter to mark IDAHO, the International Day Against Homophobia.
Click here to download the newsletter.
A homepage for the freaks
On the occasion of the third International Day against Homophobia on May 17th a new internet platform has been launched on which young people deal with homophobia in general or their private life.
The page is a joined project of the organisations RFSL Ungdom from Sweden, the Lithuanian Gay League from Lithuania, the Kampania Przeciw Homofobii from Poland and the youth network Lambda Berlin-Brandenburg e. V. from Germany. The four of them present their organisation and their work on the homepage and give with this an insight in the work against homophobia in different countries. There is for instance an overview about actions for the IDAHO and the different actions of the organisations.
The magazine part of the homepage is dedicated to young people. Here everyone can write news, a blog, report or something totally else. How does homophobia affect you in your everyday life? How to deal with this problem? There's enough space for many ideas.
Everyone who gets this e-mail is invited to forward it to as many people as possible. Write about this homepage and tell us what you think about it! And if your organisation is from Germany, Lithuania, Poland or Sweden - feel free to join the project to stand up together against homophobia!
WWW.STOP-HOMOPHOBIA.DE
BELGIUM
SEND POLAND BACK TO SCHOOL
On Thursday 17th May, which is the International Day against Homophobia (IDAHO), Wel Jong Niet Hetero wants to send the Polish policy makers back to school in a symbolic way. We will teach Kaczynski and company a lesson about gay rights in an improvised classroom on the Antwerp Astrid Square. It goes without saying that every students receives a report afterwards. With this action we want to call on all European Union leaders to reduce any cooperation with Poland as long as this country keeps on ignoring basic European values and legal rules, such as the equal treatment of sexual minorities.
What do we specifically want:
a) That all cooperation with representatives of the Polish government who have not expressed themselves against the opinions that are being voiced and measures that are being proposed in their country, is stopped;
b) That the European Commission and European Council look into the possibility to impose sanctions on and take measures against Poland on the basis of articles 6 and 7 of the Rome Treaty.
Where? Astrid Square (right in front of the Central Station)
What time? 2 pm
read more on on http://www.weljongniethetero.be
Tels Quels asbl - Association des gays et des lesbiennes organises a big party or remembrance and tolerance in Verviers. The happening will starts on 11th, with public authorities commemorating deportation of gay and lesbias during the Second World War and mourning victims of homophobia. Many cultural events and debates will take place until saturday 16th
read more on on http://www.telsquels.be
DENMARK
Fun and games mark May 17th but with a serious setting. This is the day where LBL-Youth ( Gay and Lesbian Association Youth-branch) for second time celebrates IDAHO International Day Against Homophobia.
This year we have made an entirely new concept "Hit a Homo
" where we through a sarcastic angle focuses on the regrettable still existing homophobia within and outside the borders of Denmark.
"Why? I am alright, and I don't suffer discrimination
" Fortunately this is how most homo- and bisexuals experience it, but regrettable some still suffers discrimination due to their sexuality, on the job, at schools, in the family life etc.
Some get fired, some get harassed, some are excluded, and some simply don't dare to be open fearing co-workers, co-students or family-members dissociation.
IDAHO focuses on this, and challenges the heterosexual Denmark when it "hits a homo".
For more info look at www.slaaenhomo.dk, www.lblungdom.dk, www.homophobia.org.
read more on http://www.belongto.org
IRELAND
BelongTo the youth project for LGBT will organise a media briefing and a public rally:
when: O'Connell Street in Dublin
when: May 17th at 1pm
read more on http://www.belongto.org
KYRGYZSTAN
Lesbian, bisexual and transgender organization 'Labrys' is going to organize two events during 17 May. A seminar titled 'Everything you wanted to know about homosexuality but were afraid to ask' will take place during the day and a festive dinner for LBT community and friendly organizations is planned for the evening. The seminar is aimed to challenge stereotypes about homosexuality in Kyrgyz society, it is based on participants' questions and employes interactive methods such as role play and testimonies.
You can read more about 'Labrys' and its activities at http://kyrgyzlabrys.livejournal.com/
THE NETHERLANDS
17 May 2007 - Protest Polish Homophobia at Dam Square
On Ascencion Day COC Netherlands organises a gathering at the central Dam Square in Amsterdam. At the gathering the increasing homophobia of the Polish government will be the subject. Speakers are Democrat Member of Parliament Boris Ham, Socialist Member of the European Parliament Emine Bozkurt, and COC chairperson Frank van Dalen.
The day falls within the 'Poland week', in which COC gives attention to the situation in Poland. Saturday COC chairperson Frank van Dalen called Minister Ronald Plasterk (responsible for Education, emancipation) for action in regards to Poland. Tuesday the board of COC together with Amnesty Netherlands visited the Polish (and Latvian) embassy. Friday a delegation will depart to the gay pride in Warsaw.
UNITED KINGDOM
DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE THE POLISH EMBASSY May 16-17, 2007, London, UK, British Youth Council
The British Youth Council, (BYC) have been running a campaign to fight the homophobia that exists in Poland. They are calling on British government to take appropriate action as a powerful EU member state. On the 16th and 17th May they will be holding several events to mark the 17th May as an International Day Against Homophobia. On the evening of the 16th May there will be a meeting in the Houses of Parliament where they invite MP to come and listen/speak about homophobia. On the 17th May they are holding a demonstration outside the Polish Embassy.
read more on http://www.byc.org.uk
The Queer Youth Network' - The United Kingdom's National LGBT Organisation has produced a special poster to celebrate IDHAO - aimed at young people.
It has already been distributed to 2,500 schools and youth projects and is free to download and print off online.
The poster can be downloaded in PDF format from http://www.queeryouth.org.uk/phpnews/news.php?action=fullnews&id=238
Queer Youth Radio: IDAHO LIVE
Special live broadcast from the Urbis Centre, a modern exhibition centre in Manchester will be hosting a "question time" evening about International LGBT issues on the evening of May 17th as part of the" Its Queer Up North" Festival. Campaigners and politicians on the panel will include human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, and the discussion will be relayed to other venues in the City as well as live on the global Queer Youth Radio internet station.The live broadcast will accompanied by a special series of programmes interviewing LGBT Youth around the world.
You can tune in, download podcast shows and find out more at http://www.queeryouth.net
LGBT Youth Scotland organised several events in partnership with Amnesty International to celebrate 17th of May.
Recalling AI campaign Love is a Human Right, Scotland will be told stories from seven countries failing to protect LGBT people from abuse (including Poland, Uganda and El Salvador), and individuals encouraged to take action by writing to the relevant embassy. Information on these cases will be distributed at a number of venues, with campaign events confirmed for Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee.
More information at: http://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/IDAHO.htm.