International Day Against Homophobia (May 17th, 2009)

In the past few months I’ve read with horror the local news on how several gay people have been bashed while walking around or hanging out in the West End of Vancouver. It hadn’t really hit me hard until someone I love very much and care for was gay bashed last November. I couldn’t believe something like this could happen to him. While I know that he is doing better now, I still get a bit freaked out.

Living in a city like Vancouver, and being surrounded with amazingly open-minded individuals, I find it really hard to take that homophobia is still prevalent in Canada (and worldwide). Let’s not go further than our Southern neighbour, the United States of America. With the passing of Proposition 8 by California, I was more than appalled. Can you believe that one of the most progressive states in regards to environmental politics would be so retrograde when it comes to equal rights? Because, you know, sexual orientation is NOT a crime. It’s not a crime to be gay or lesbian, just the same as it isn’t a crime to be straight.

The theme of the 2009 campaign for IDAHO is Homosexuality Knows No Borders.

Keeping in mind how homosexuality is a universal fact and that borders cannot be forced on it, the 2009 Campaign is aimed towards helping these people to become integrated within their host society and to make ethno-cultural communities aware of sexual diversity issues. In addition, LGBT people and their communities will benefit from their own community’s improved openness toward their issues.

I wrote about the International Day Against Homophobia in 2008, making a point about how in some countries, being homosexual is still considered a crime. From the IDAHO website, I would like to point you out about everyone getting involved:

An International Day Against Homophobia belongs to no one individual. It’s about all people hoping for a prejudice-free world that can provide a place at the table for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation. Inspired by all world theme-days, the day set aside to fight homophobia needs to be appropriated by all of those actively involved in civil society: gay and lesbian community organisations, those organisations focusing on other types of sexual diversity, unions, employers, private businesses, governments, public administration, professional associations, and all individuals seeking equality.

Arsenal Pulp Books was kind enough to send me a complimentary copy of the Dictionary of Homophobia (very, very grateful for that) and I committed to help them out with their I.D.A.H.O.T. project. You will see some tweets and perhaps a blog post about it. I was planning to organize a brunch event, but as you all know, my Sundays tend to be dedicated to a close friend of mine so I’m just going to leave a few pre-scheduled tweets.

Please join us in the fight against homophobia. Visit the Arsenalia website and please spread the word. The fight has not been won but we are getting there.

Share and Enjoy: