International Day Against Homophobia IDAHO

IDAHO is coming up. On May 17 IDAHO 2011 will be here again. May 17 is a symbolic date for gay men and lesbians. Once long considered an illness, homosexuality was removed
from the list of mental disorders on May 17, 1990, by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

What will you do to celebrate? How will you show your support for our GLBTIQ communitites?

Go to http://www.homophobiaday.org/ and have a look at what is happening in the international community. Or you could go join the Idahosa facebook page.

International Day Against Homophobia IDAHO

Dont forget everyone its time to start planning IDAHO is almost here: MAY 17th

It may seem that these days sexual orientation and gender identity is getting less and less of an issue and people who live their gender identity and their sexuality differently from the majority enjoy comfortable and secure social and political spaces to do so.

When you have a closer look though, you will witness that there is increased homophobia and transphobia in a majority of places; and the XXth century was actually one of the most homophobic periods ever in History.

Everywhere homosexuality and gender variance is being discriminated against ; in more that 80 countries in the world, same sex relationships are criminalised and in 7 of them, death penalty can be enforced.


Intolerance, prejudice, hate, ignorance and fear still largely prevail in individuals, groups, States, international institutions, etc…
This is why this international day to fight against homophobia and transphobia and for sexual freedom was created.

Go here to find out more and get some ideas on what to do for IDAHO

If you go HERE you can get the IDAHO newsletter emailed direct to you.

IDAHO

I'm just passing this invite on to EVERYBODY

"Hi there,

Pleased see attached your invitation to a VERY important GLBTIQ Event…

The IDAHO 09 ‘Stars Against Homophobia’ Event

The 2009 International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) is THIS SUNDAY! May 17 is the day that the world unites to say NO! to homophobia, and Adelaide will once again lead the country in uniting to celebrate diverse sexualities.

What is IDAHO?
On 17 May 1990, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from their list of mental disorders. The fight for the recognition of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people continues today, across the globe and in SA!
But what is happening in SA in 2009?

Well, the IDAHO organising committee has been working hard since last year ensuring that IDAHO 09 is bigger and better than ever.

The ‘Stars Against Homophobia’ Event will be held at the Higher Ground Art Café on Light Square, Adelaide on Sunday, March 17 at 2pm and will launch the display of STARS against Homophobia! It will include a speech by the Hon Ian Hunter MLC, the sharing of stories from young queer members of the Second Story Youth Health Service and performances from local STARS Lori Bell, Luke Ashby and Linda Paterson followed by an evening of acoustic music at Higher Ground’s ‘Acousticum’. The event is catered and bar facilities will also be available.

The City of Charles Sturt IDAHO BBQ Breakfast is also happening this Friday, May 15 at the Woodville Train Station from 8am. Join local services in celebrating IDAHO with a hot BBQ breakfast, music, face painting, a door prize and speeches!

For more information you can click on the link here www.acsa.org.au/idaho.html and visit the SA IDAHO webpage (via the Gay Men’s Health Website) which has lots of information, history, links and downloads of posters and other material for you to decorate your home or workplace with. There is also a list of services that are holding activities for IDAHO 09.

You can also contact Danny for more information on 0433 626 131.
Come help celebrate SA’s diverse sexualities and communities and say NO to homophobia on May 17.
The IDAHO Organising Committee

International Day Against Homophobia

Here is an email that I recieved - Just passing it on to you

"Hi there,

I am writing to you on behalf of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) 2009 Planning Committee, which is made up of Government and Non-Government organisations, including Gay Men’s Health, SHine, The Second Story, Port Adelaide Primary Health Care Services, and Shopfront Youth Health & Information Service.

IDAHO is an annual event held on May 17th each year to commemorate the removal of homosexuality from the list of "mental disorders" by the General Assembly of the World Health Organisation. The theme for this year’s celebrations is Culture and Homophobia, with a particular focus on issues within newly arrived communities. If you would like any further information about IDAHO and how it started, please visit the following website (www.acsa.org.au/idaho.html). New information will be uploaded shortly.

This year, we are seeking your assistance with our celebrations. We are asking a wide range of organisations, such as yourselves, to engage with their clients, community members, group participants and co-workers around the effects of homophobia on their own lives and the lives of those around them e.g. family/friends/neighbours/co-workers.

So, here’s what we need from you:

· Open the IDAHO Stars Template attachment and print it out, then photocopy it onto coloured paper (red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple – rainbow colours);( Please contact Danny -details below -for your temaplate as I cannot load it here) Put the stars in a prominent position in your reception area, group rooms etc., along with a copy of the IDAHO Star Poster (which explains the purpose of the stars);
· Ask your clients/participants/community members and co-workers to write a short statement or story on the stars about their experiences of homophobia;
· Ask people to write their details on the IDAHO Stars Event RSVP form (see attachment) if they’re interested in finding out about how the stars will be used;
· Collect up all the stars that have been written on and send them to Jacintha Moerman at the Shopfront Youth Health and Information Service, 3-4/72 John Street, Salisbury, SA 5108
· The stars will then be displayed on Sunday, May 17th at a big IDAHO celebration event (details to be confirmed at a later date) which will feature speeches and performances by local Queer and Queer-friendly artists, politicians, and activists;
· We are also considering the possibility of using the stars to attract political attention to the issue of homophobia in Adelaide by presenting them to Parliament.

If you have any questions or need any further information please contact Danny Hales on 0433 626 131.

Cheers.
Lauren Riggs Primary Health Care Worker
Port Adelaide Primary Health Care Services Ambulatory and Primary Health Care Directorate Central Northern Adelaide Health Service
Phone: (08) 8240 9621 Fax: (08) 8240 9609 Email: Lauren.Riggs@health.sa.gov.au Website: www.health.sa.gov.au/cnahs

IDAHO

IDAHO

The International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) is on May 17 each year this a time to combine the efforts of all those involved both in fighting prejudice and in contributing to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, or same-sex attracted (GLBTIQS) people’s well-being.

What is IDAHO?

On 17 May 1990, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from their list of mental disorders. The fight for the recognition of equal rights for lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender people did not end there though. And it continues today, across the globe, in a great variety of ways.

Today around 80 countries in the world still criminalise homosexuality and condemn consensual same sex acts with imprisonment. In nine countries (Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen), consensual same sex acts still carry the death penalty.

Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity is still not recognised formally by the member states of the United Nations (even though human rights mechanisms such as the Human Rights Committee have repeatedly condemned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity).

This year’s international theme is:

“STOP! Homosexuality is not a sickness!”

Following this year’s theme, the IDAHO committee is developing a health services audit for healthcare providers. The audit is not about blaming or shaming individuals or organisations into action, it’s about learning, reflecting, celebrating achievements and finally professional development. The audit will provide participants with the opportunity to reflect on their service/practice and improve services to clients of diverse sexualities and gender.

If you or your organization is able to support IDAHO or is interested in ordering our South Australian designed and printed IDAHO posters, postcards or pamphlet please contact Gay Men’s Health at the AIDS Council of South Australia on: