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From festivals to flashmobs and rallies to public forums, LGBT activists and supporters around the world are planning to make their voices heard on 17 May for the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

There is no end to the diversity and scope of creative and innovative activities being planned in what is sure to be the biggest and best IDAHO yet.

So no matter where you live, there is sure to be an IDAHO event happening somewhere in your region.

Here are just some of the many exciting events that will take place.

►In the Philippines, Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch is organizing a march to the Commission of Human Rights on May 17 to present an updated list of murdered Filipino LGBTs. They will also call on the government to end hate crimes against LGBTs in the Philippines.

Also in the Philippines, the Metropolitan Community Church of Quezon City – in conjunction with Ladlad LGBT Partylist and Mentourque Productions – is holding the third annual Flores De Mayo LGBT Pride march in Manila on May 19.

►Sri Lankan LGBT organization EQUAL GROUND is holding an IDAHO poster competition, giving people the opportunity to win a cash prize for the most innovative and creative submission. The winning poster will also be named the campaign poster of 2013.

►Taiwan’s GDi LGBT Health Culture Center (formerly Taichung Rainbow Paradise) is organising a series of activities throughout April until May 26 as part of an extended IDAHO celebration.

►Moroccan LGBT organisation GayMaroc has announced that they will launch a national campaign to repeal Article 489, which criminalizes same-sex relationships.

►Haiti will celebrate its first IDAHO in 2012 with LGBT movie screenings and a conference on sexual orientation and gender-based discrimination in Port-au-Prince.

►Italian advocates will again commemorate IDAHO with vigils of prayer for victims of homophobia and transphobia around the world.

►In Australia, the Blue Mountains City Council continues its support for the International Day Against Homophobia with its annual civic event to raise the rainbow flag and promote an inclusive community.

Also in Australia, families across the state of New South Wales in Australia are being invited to attend a special family day celebration commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia and

►Transphobia hosted by the NSW branch of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

►Events are planned across the UK include 50 Merseyside companies and organizations flying a rainbow flag, the Centre for HIV & Sexual Health and Sheffield City Council holding a ‘One Minute Noise’ designed to speak out loudly and clearly against homophobia and transphobia, as well as Britain’s Communication Workers Union (CWU) holding its first IDAHO Weekend School.

►For the fourth successive year, Changing Attitude Ireland is organising special church services to mark IDAHO. This year’s theme is ‘Moving Forward Together’/’No More Them and Us’.

►The Wipeout Homophobia on Facebook initiative will this year again do a full day of action on May 17. The initiative will mobilise their 400,000 Facebook page fans and their one million strong site membership.

►In China, many actions are once again being planned. Groups from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan will meet ahead of the Day to coordinate strategies and exchange best practice.

A strong focus will be put on this year’s global IDAHO theme of education, with the IDAHO Lesson kit being translated into Chinese, adapted to the local context and widely distributed.

►The international Rainbow Flashmob initiative will happen again this year, with initiatives already reported in Germany and Russia, but with certainly many more to be announced in the coming days.

►Freedom and Roam Uganda is dedicating IDAHO 2012 to the bisexual community with the launch of a program that will specifically target bisexual people.

►In Burundi, the organization MUCO will once again mobilize mothers of members of sexual and gender minorities to advocate against violence and for respect.

►In Belgium, the province of Liège will launch a leaflet about combating homophobia in education, in the workplace, in culture and sports, in health, in family, and in access to citizenship.

►In France, dozens of events are planned again this year. Grenoble and Paris are being particularly active. Detailed information is available on the French IDAHO site.

►In Fiji, the Day will be marked by the country’s first public LGBT march and a panel discussion on the theme of Combatting Homo/Transphobia through Education.

►In Kenya, the organization Women Working with Women will organize a football and volleyball tournament between LGBT teams and allies.

►In Hungary, the TransVanilla Transgender Association is planning to organize a workshop about transphobia in the LGB community to mark the lack of attention facing the trans community.

For a full list of all IDAHO activities, check out the website.

MATTHEW JENKIN

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/rainbow-flying-around-world-idaho270412

The International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) is observed worldwide. Find out what you can do to end homophobia.

The International Day Against Homophobia, held on May 17 every year, is a rallying event offering an opportunity for people to get together and reach out to one another. Fondation Émergence promotes, mainly on a pan-Canadian level, the International Day Against Homophobia and encourages organisations and individuals to highlight this event in their environment. Find out more