Annually, on May 17, the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) is celebrated in more than 50 countries of the world. The date is linked with May 17, 1990, when the World Health Organization took homosexuality off the list of mental disorders. The celebration on May 17 is established since 2005.
This year, on this symbolic day, with the support of international institutions the founder of IDAHO and IDAHO Committee, Luis-Georges Tin launched the “World Appeal against Transphobia and for the Respect of Gender Identity”, addressing the World Health Organization to take transsexuality off the list of mental illnesses.
The Appeal has already been signed by more than 300 organizations in more than 75 countries across the world. Various international organizations, politicians, the Nobel Prize Laureates, etc. have expressed their support. France, to coincide with IDAHO, first, on May 15, hosted the World Congress against Homophobia and Transphobia, and afterwards, on the eve of May 17th, became the first state, officially taking transsexuality off the list of mental disorders. For details concerning this remarkable fact, visit the official website of the French Ministry of Health, Youth and Sports.
Along with various other activities, dedicated to the May 17th, the IDAHO team in cooperation with the social network, Gays.com produced the amazing video with greetings of the people from 6 continents, saying how proud they are, being gay!
This global project, aiming to raise awareness on the issues, has attracted the participation of 359 people from 48 countries. “We are overwhelmed and, at the same time, humbled by this torrent and enthusiastic support that has poured in from all four corners of the world since we kickstarted the video project in April. People have made the effort to go to such places as the Statue of Liberty, the Great Wall of China, the Sydney Opera House, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Merlion, the Petronas Twin Towers and the Eiffel Tower to shoot their video, contributing the spectacular visual feast you see in the mashup,” said Luis-Georges Tin.
You can see the video on the website of IDAHO, as well as on www.gays.com.
International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia was celebrated by marches across the world, including massive demonstrations in Cuba, Turkey, etc. The Singapore rally was the first gay event ever. The first IDAHO event took place in San Francisco as well. It raised 5 000$ to go direct-relief aid for the LGBT Iraqi community.
On May 16, despite the preliminary attempts of the City Administration to cancel, the first Baltic Pride march, organized by Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian LGBT activists finally took place in Riga.
At the same day the first joint Slavic Pride had to be held in Moscow but traditionally it was smashed. Up to 80 people were arrested as Moscow anti-riot police used violence to break up the march. Among the detainees was the organizer of the event, Nikolai Alekseev, www.gayrussia.ru informs.
Detailed information on IDAHO actions in the countries and about its Press Releases are accessible on the official website of IDAHO and IDAHO Committee.
