International Day Against Homophobia - Get Involved!
posted by: Steve Williams 270 days ago
Homosexuality Knows No Borders, that's the motto of the International Day Against Homophobia which occurs annually May 17th. So with the International Day Against Homophobia coming up this weekend, what is it that you can do to mark the occasion even if you aren't directly affected? Find out a few ways that you could make a big difference to a gay person's life and help to end homophobia below!
What is the International Day Against Homophobia?
First started in 2003, the International Day Against Homophobia focuses on positive ways that the general population can directly affect attitudes and beliefs about homosexuals and also to celebrate the fact that in places like America, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people are increasingly accepted and even celebrated by society. This is very different than, say, places like Iraq, Iran, Peru or parts of Africa where homosexuality is met with condemnation, sometimes brutal force and perhaps even the penalty of death.
The International Day Against Homophobia's goal for this year is to bring the message of peace and friendship to ethno-cultural communities within America and around the globe in the hope that they, in turn, will take an attitude of openness and friendship toward homosexuality back to the heart of their communities, to be empowered by it, and educate people who are currently, perhaps, not quite so liberal in their attitudes due to being raised in places that were less accepting of homosexuality.
How Can You Get Involved in the International Day Against Homophobia?
The International Day Against Homophobia website has some great ideas on how you can get involved directly, including writing a letter (printable from the webpage) to the appropriate officials to have May 17th formerly recognized as the International Day Against Homophobia, and to have rainbow flags flying across America.
But, along with that, here are some other handy tips:
What is the International Day Against Homophobia?
First started in 2003, the International Day Against Homophobia focuses on positive ways that the general population can directly affect attitudes and beliefs about homosexuals and also to celebrate the fact that in places like America, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people are increasingly accepted and even celebrated by society. This is very different than, say, places like Iraq, Iran, Peru or parts of Africa where homosexuality is met with condemnation, sometimes brutal force and perhaps even the penalty of death.
The International Day Against Homophobia's goal for this year is to bring the message of peace and friendship to ethno-cultural communities within America and around the globe in the hope that they, in turn, will take an attitude of openness and friendship toward homosexuality back to the heart of their communities, to be empowered by it, and educate people who are currently, perhaps, not quite so liberal in their attitudes due to being raised in places that were less accepting of homosexuality.
How Can You Get Involved in the International Day Against Homophobia?
The International Day Against Homophobia website has some great ideas on how you can get involved directly, including writing a letter (printable from the webpage) to the appropriate officials to have May 17th formerly recognized as the International Day Against Homophobia, and to have rainbow flags flying across America.
But, along with that, here are some other handy tips:
- If you are a parent, you are in a unique position to educate your children and shape how they perceive the world. Even if you don't necessarily agree with homosexuality, it's probable we can all agree that words like "fag, "dike" and "homo" are ugly words lacking in basic respect, and so you could enforce to your children why we don't use such words. This could really make a big difference in their school life, as they will be able to recognize when other students are being victimized and will be able to react accordingly.
- Employers, likewise, can use the coming week not only to reinforce their policies against homophobia in the workplace, but to strengthen those policies by talking to their GLBT workers, as well as assessing whether other businesses and people that they deal with are positive about homosexuality or not– and if the answer is no, perhaps reconsidering that business relationship.
- Bloggers who support the cause may wish to pass on the International Day Against Homophobia's message by displaying a banner (like the one above) on their webpage. Also, readers may like to send this post via the Care2 mail button to others along with links to the International Day Against Homophobia's website so as to reiterate the message and harness the viral power of the internet and really spread a word of acceptance and peace.
- Further to this, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people themselves might like to use May 17th as the day that they come out to their friends and/or family and let them know that all across the world, on this day, an International Day Against Homophobia is happening, and why it is that May 17th is so important to them and to other GLBTs.
- And one last thing, if there is legislation in your area being discussed, such as gay marriage in New Hampshire or, federally, such as the Hate Crimes bill called The Matthew Shepard Act, or, for those from my fair country of Great Britain, the recent Equality Bill, take a moment of your time to educate yourself about why a piece of legislation is important to GLBTs.
- Often, misconceptions arise about such legislation because the facts of the piece have been obscured. By taking five minutes from your day you could take a little time to research those facts and make up your own mind on if you support the bill or concept. And if you'd like to do even more, contact your Representatives and make them aware of your support for a particular piece of legislation, and be sure to mention the International Day Against Homophobia too, so that they know that you are part of this powerful borderless movement.
Read more: human rights, gay rights, international day against homophobia, helping glbts
comments
As a devout Christian mom, this is a very difficult debate for me. Where my personal beliefs are, based on the bible, homosexuality is wrong, I do not believe in mstreating anyone because of their sexual orientation. We are here to love one another and help one another. Those that choose to harm someone based on their skin color is called a racist and its a hate crime. The same should apply if you are gay, bi or transsexual. I am straight but I have friends that are gay and bi sexual. I also have a son who is approaching 18 yrs of age soon and came to me 3 years ago and told me he was bi sexual. That was very difficult for me to hear because I know how hateful people can be if you are considered "differant". My concern was (still is) for his emotional state of mind and his safety. I do not agree with his choices but I love him regardless and educating others to know "tolerance" will go far in a hate filled world.
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Looks like I've been posting in another one of the "skimmers" instead of "readers" sites.
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I have no problem with the concept of personally boycotting any company whose business practices or products I find offensive. For example, if a local pet shop mistreats its animals, I'm not going to buy my pet food there because I don't want my money going to support those who would abuse animals.
So long as a boycott isn't unfairly used as blackmail for some unreasonable purpose, I think it's a legitimate means of expressing one's disapproval.
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Pamela,
I think that blaming religion is too easy. I know from personal experiance that as religious as some people are they don't hide behind it as the reason they do not accept LBGT. My roomate and I have been friends since high school (roughly 12 years) and at one time she was feverishly opposed to LGBT believing that it was either a choice or the side effects of being sexually assaulted in childhood. Since moving in in November she has made a total 180 turn in her beliefs. She is still very religios, even looking into doing missionary work, but we have become closer then ever before. She even goes to the local LGBT club with me and my mom to dance. Religion is too often blamed for people who do not want to truly have love in there heart. They are the type who will find anything to hide behind so they do not have to open there minds and hearts. For those who do support the LGBT brothers and sisters or they themselves are part of the LGBT group remember that instead of quickly dissmissing those who are religious just as they would quickly dissmiss you just be persistent and if they don't come around eventually at least you didn't go down to there level of ignorance.
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I am a bi woman - a grateful member of our LGBT Rainbow - and I am an activist for LGBT rights because it is a survival issue for all of us - not a "lifestyle" to be discarded like an item of clothing gone out of fashion. In particular I am concerned about our dear LGBT kids and youth - and about the wave of horrific genocide against us all around the globe. I believe that many, many of the homophobes are fighting against their own authentic sexuality - the "10%" estimate of gays in the overall population is vastly underestimated because of so much denial and ignorance especially about what it is to be a bisexual person. MANY people are bi and don't come out due not only to homophobia in the general public but also, and much more painful in my experience, due to biphobia from within the LGBT community. ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE OPPRESSED DUE TO HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA AND SEXUAL OPPRESSION. This splendid international day is our day - all of us straight, gay, bi - to expand our awareness and personal identities toward a freer and more authentic, personal and loving potentiality. And, where homophobes do their ugly little routine - here's the deal: "WE'RE HERE - WE'RE QUEER - GET USED TO IT" AND, I WOULD ADD, "YOU MIGHT BE TOO!"
Standing up to homophobia and biphobia means STANDING UP FOR LOVE EVERYWHERE.
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my two cents:
I DON'T CARE WHO YOU SLEEP WITH, AS LONG AS YOU GET SOME SLEEP!
levity aside, i consider it a moral obligation (as a principled person of colour) to speak out in support of my GLBTQ brothers and sisters. As members of the human family who claim to abhor injustice, we must be ever-mindful that bigotry is challenged, no matter the form that it takes.
In particular, Black, Brown, Red and Yellow peoples, as well as women and the poor, have at their disposal a collective historical memory of the myriad horrors of slavery, gyn/ocide, classism, colonialism and segregation. This 'blood memory' demands that we exercise much greater compassion and a willingness to act on behalf of those whose very lives are daily threatened by discrimination based upon sexual orientation.
To be blunt, we know better, and must DO better.
Indeed, the pages of history may one day condemn us for our cowardice if we choose to remain silent in the snarling face of institutionalized bigotry.
Remember: Justice must be made manifest either for all, or not at all.
...and silence is a luxury that is only to be enjoyed by the dead...
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I am not talking about "not wanting to serve......." or nasty jokes, nor anything of that sort. I am talking about Companies doing business with each other. What does their employee's sexual orientation have to do with whom their employer chooses to do business? They are only interested in each other's goods and/or services.That is my ONLY point, without any form of hidden agenda against gays. Don't read something into my comment beyond what is clearly stated there.
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If people can choose to be gay, then it implies we are all born bisexual and choose to be straight or gay. I didn't wake up one morning and decide to like men; I have always been straight, and could never get involved in a lesbian relationship. Why is it so difficult for some people to get their heads around the concept that gay people didn't CHOOSE to be gay, they just are?
As long as sexual activity only takes place among consenting adults, we need to stop sticking our noses in other peoples' business!
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Marena, you are essentially correct in that it is kind of silly to boycott a business because they are not gay or lesbian friendly; but how about one who decided that they would not serve those who were Catholic, Jewish, Christian, Blacks ...? Would it be OK to say well, I won't go in there because of the fact that...I think the idea was not to succumb to pressure from GLBTQ workers, but to make sure that they were not being discriminated against from other workers. Just as I hope one would tell a bigoted employee that they could not tell racist jokes, place nooses in lockers or generally act 'ugly' - so should GLBTQ workers be included in the "thou shalt not make fun of category".
People may boycott business that discriminate - just as they boycott business that pollute or whatever.
I think you perceive that homosexuals are trying to force a lifestyle on you or cram their ideas at you. The reverse is also true - heterosexuals are now saying that if homosexuals get any rights that heterosexuals rights are being discriminated against. Heterosexuals cram their "agendas" on society all the time. Christians have an agenda, atheists have an agenda...everyone does. One has to be willing to see something from someone else's point of view - that's all.
On the other hand, you have a perfect right to do whatever you wish with your business. That is a choice and it is your choice. I understand what you are saying not sure if you understood what the suggestion was saying.
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So what's the plan for next year on May 17, 2010?
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Photo used under Fair Use terms with kind approval from the International Day Against Homophobia website.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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