Abbotsford/Chilliwack/London/Vancouver/New York – The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, held on May 17 every year, is a rallying event offering an opportunity for people to get together and reach out to one another. Fondation Émergence promotes the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia and encourages organisations and individuals to highlight this event in their environment.
Homophobia and transphobia are insidious phenomenons that have succeeded in taking hold in a subtle, discreet and often invisible manner. Nobody is really immune from hostile manifestations toward homosexuality and gender identity. And, surprisingly, some homosexual and trans persons are adopting homophobic and transphobic behaviour to shield themselves from negative reactions that others might have. The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia will try to reach out to everybody regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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The purpose or goals Fondation Émergence has proposed for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia are to:
- promote the growth of harmonious relationships among people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity;
- further the inclusion of homosexual and trans persons in society;
- encourage citizens to understand sexual diversity;
- put an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in keeping with the charters of rights and freedoms;
- give rise to a general openmindedness towards diversity, and other related values in our society;
- show the devastating effects of homophobia and transphobia;
- propose and put in place concrete means to fight homophobia and transphobia;
- induce all sympathizers to organize activities aimed at fighting homophobia and transphobia;
- set up a consultation process among its partners;
- converge all anti-homophobia and transphobia activities on a single day;
- put together an organizational structure capable of insuring the survival and recurrence of the event.
A rallying event
The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia will offer an opportunity for people to get together and reach out to one another. Everybody is invited to organize events in their communities. For example, it will be a chance for:
- teachers to talk about homophobia and transphobia in the class room;
- employers to set up programs against homophobia and transphobia in the workplace;
- trade unions to organize activities for their members;
- community groups to promote this day among their clientèle;
- broadcasters to present special reports and documentaries;
- newspapers to publish articles on the subject;
- radio station to play gay and lesbian theme songs ;
- gays, lesbians, bisexuals people who wish to do so to “come out” of the closet;
- parents to talk about homosexuality with their kids;
- governments to follow up on their commitments, and to approve a motion in support of efforts against homophobia and transphobia.
