(London) - IDAHO-UK will be joining 50 countries in the fight against homophobia on May 17. And so far it looks like one of the strongest areas in the country will be Northern England that will be marking International Day Against Homophobia [IDAHO]. “Exceeding Expectations”, the Manchester initiative aimed at ending homophobia through education is launching its third newsletter to be distributed to all adults working at secondary schools across the city to coincide with IDAHO day.
The three year initiative to support schools will reach more than 12,000 education professionals with appropriate interventions, resources, training and advice on homophobia and sexuality.
On May 17, there will be an event at Manchester Town Hall in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Manchester to promote the initiative to school governors and teachers and provide a showcase for Hope theatre who will be going into schools to target homophobia and sexuality.
Other projects also organised by the Lesbian and Gay Foundation to coincide with IDAHO are the Rainbow Partnership which offers “a way forward to strengthen and empower LGB communities and frontline organisations who support them in the North West of England”, and “A guide to LGB rights”, a 56 page information booklet with up to date information about legal rights.
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.
Meanwhile, across the Pennines in Sheffield, the City Council, Unison and South Yorkshire Police and many others will be participating in a minute’s noise against homophobia in the City Centre.
Last year 100 people turned up in pouring rain to blow whistles, bang drums, sound air horns, to make the point that “no-one should be silent against homophobia”.
“Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the whole of the UK made one hell of a racket on May 17,” suggested Tony Atkin of the Centre of HIV and Sexual Health.
It is unlikely, however, that the various groups will shout loud enough to be heard by each other, as similar events will also be taking place in Derry, Northern Ireland, Northampton (in the presence of the Mayor and the rainbow flag), Brighton (the Public and Commercial Services Union will be taking time out from their annual conference) and Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
Liverpool, are one of several cities participating in IDAHO for the first time this year. The Outsiders Film Festival are promising “a very special event” to mark IDAHO . This will include the showing of “Beyond Hatred” a powerful documentary about a homophobic murder in France.
Elsewhere in the UK there are several initiatives to highlight hate crime.
“LGBT people are abused and killed for the only crime of being gay and this is not just overseas but on our very own doorstep in Surrey, said Gino Meriano of Gay Surrey.
“The charity, Gay Surrey believe it is important to support IDAHO and present our own event backed by powerful support from Surrey Police, the Met, our patron Bill Buckley, and our latest addition Q Boy. All believe in the fight for the end of homophobia,” he added.
Meanwhile, in Gloucestershire a group of gay men and women will be going back to the closet – a large wardrobe – to draw attention to the fact that there are still many countries in the world where gays are persecuted and even executed.
This will take place over a 24 hour period a gay bar in Stroud from 6pm on Friday May 18.
But on IDAHO day itself, there will be a candlelit vigil for Jody Dobrowski, the young man originally from Gloucestershire who was brutally murdered in London in October 2005 purely because he was gay. His mother, Sheri, who lives near Gloucester and is a keen supporter of the concept of Idaho, will be present. Sheri received Stonewall's "Hero of the Year" last November.
Derek Lennard, IDAHO-UK Coordinator commented: “On May 17th we will be joining campaigners in 50 countries to make a stand against homophobia.
“Anyone who thinks this is some remote and academic issue just needs to look at what is happening in Poland at the moment where a National Government is proposing to adopt a law which could ban LGBT people from working in education. Poland, like the UK, is a member of the European Union.
“This abuse of human rights is not acceptable. Together – whether gay or straight – we can make a stand against it.
“That’s what May 17 is all about,” he pointed out.
