May 17th: International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia, IDAHO
Be it out of ignorance, prejudice, fear or hate, Trans people overwhelmingly face daily discrimination, which results in social exclusion, poverty and poor health care, with little prospects for employment.
Far from protecting Trans citizens, States and International bodies reinforce social transphobia through short sighted negligence or reactionary politics: To have their preferred gender identity recognised by society, if at all possible, they have to undergo forced sterilization or other major surgery. Yet, States do little to ensure Trans people get proper access to the health care they want or need. Adding insult to injustice, the World Health Organisation still classifies them as « mentally disordered ».
On May 17th 1990 (almost 20 years ago,) the same World Health Organisation took homosexuality off the list of mental disorders. This is the reason why May 17th was chosen to celebrate the International Day against homophobia and transphobia, the IDAHO. Actions now take place every year in more than 50 countries.
On this symbolic day, a group of organisations working to promote fundamental Human Rights for lesbian, gay, transgender, transsexual, intersex and bisexual people launches an International Appeal to the WHO to take transsexualism off the list of mental disorders.
The appeal also calls for all States to enforce legislation that ensures respect for Trans people’s Human Rights, and calls for the UN Human Rights bodies to effectively address the situation.
This Appeal has already been signed by more than 300 organisations in more than 75 countries accross all world regions, from Fiji to Kyrgyzstan, China to the USA, Serbia to Brasil. Major international institutions have expressed their support, such as UNAIDS, the International and European Trade Union Confederations, the International Gay and Lesbian Law Association, the Gay and lesbian Intergroupe of the European Parliament, the Global Justice Ministry of Metropolitan Community Churches or...the Sydney Mardi Gras. So have political parties such as the French socialist, communist and green parties or the Meretz Party in Israel. And we are proud of the support of three Nobel Prize: Elfriede Jelinek, Françoise Barré-Finoussi and Luc Montagnier., and of other people who have signed the text like Doudou Diène, former reporter special in the UN on racism (Senegal), Jacques Delors, former president of the European Commission, Gerard Onesta, vicepresident of the European Parliament, Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris, several ministers or former ministers, and many members of Parliament around the world. We now invite all citizens, activists, organisations, political parties, local authorities and all other concerned groups or individuals to join this appeal by signing the petition on www.idahomophobia.org where you will also find the complete up to date list of signatures.
Some actions of IDAHO in the world:
Ignored or attacked, transsexuals claiming their right to live in peace
PARIS (AFP) - Victims of violence and discrimination, transsexuals will claim this week in many countries their right of normal life, embracing the World Day Against Homophobia, which was held on Sunday.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h75TG8uegKgIpFqhfNRkZlynLmnw
UN calls for strengthening reject of homophobia and fight against AIDS in Latin America
EFE .- The chief director for Latin America at the United Nations of the program against AIDS (UNAIDS), the Honduran Cesar Antonio Nuñez, said the International Day Against Homophobia, held on Sunday, is an opportunity to strengthen the fight against the disease in the region.
http://www.adn.es/sociedad/20090515/NWS-2688-ONU-Latinoamerica-homofobia-reforzar-rechazar.html
Historical: City Hall of Santiago passed anti-discrimination ordinance
The Mapocho. Wednesday May 20th of 2009.-By unanimous vote the City Council today approved the Santiago proposal devised by Movilh with the backing and support of over 100 organizations from all over Chile. The Mayor and councils rated as a historic breakthrough. Sexual Minorities held a toast at the Square for this victory, placed within the Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
http://elmapocho.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1221&Itemid=35
Cuba Celebrates World Day Against Homophobia with a festive atmosphere
EFE-Havana .- Cuba celebrated today the World Day Against Homophobia with a panel of educational and cultural activities under the motto "Diversity," led by President of parliament, Ricardo Alarcon, and it started with a short street parade.
http://www.adn.es/sociedad/20090516/NWS-1250-Homofobia-Mundial-Cuba-Dia-ambiente.html
Ombudswoman calls on Bolivians to commit against homophobia
EFE-La Paz .- The Interim Ombudswoman in Bolivia, Patricia Flores, promoted today the Bolivian society to commit against discrimination based on sexual orientation, on the occasion of The World Day to Fight Homophobia and transphobia, to be held this Sunday.
The PSPV welcomes the adoption in the Parliament of the International Day against Homophobia and transphobia
VALENCIA, May 7th. (EUROPA PRESS)-The secretary of Social Movements and NGOs in the PSPV, Clara Tirado, welcomed today the unanimous adoption of the Equality Commission of the Congress, a proposal by the Socialist group, through a law which calls for the government to recognize May 17th as International Day against Homophobia and transphobia, socialist sources reported in a statement.
Lesbians and transsexuals have more difficulties in a normal access to employment
ALMERIA. - The collective of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders in the province of Almeria (colleagues) found that lesbians and transsexuals still have difficulties to access standard market. This was denounced by the president of Almeria, Emilia Becerra during the presentation of the acts inviting to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia. "We get cases of lesbians and transsexuals who, today, are still under pressure in their jobs when the company realizes of their sexual status," said Becerra who emphasized on the need for a change of attitude towards those who do not have heterosexual orientation.
Celebrate the day against homophobia without borders
RFI.- The day against homophobia was an initiative that was born in Quebec. The international day against homophobia was first organized in 2005 in Québec, and will be held in several countries on Sunday, to remember that "homosexuality does not have boundaries” nor discrimination does.
http://www.rfi.fr/actues/articles/113/article_11925.asp
Artegalia creates the first 'Virtual Observatory' against Homophobia
On May 17th there will be 19 years since the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses and thus was a major breakthrough in the fight against homophobia and discrimination on sexual orientation suffered by lesbians, gays or transgenders.
Lima: our trans identity is not a disease
On May 19th at noon, dozens of transsexuals stood up in front of the offices of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Lima, as part of the campaign 'trans identity is not a disease,' which wants to take them out of “mental ill".
http://www.runa.org.pe/divsexual/boletin/Alerta090526a.htm
HIV: Homophobia encourages its expansion
