2011 May 17 Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
Homophobes, do us all a favor and hide away today – and every other day, for that matter. Everyone else, come out and celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).
May 17 was first named IDAHO in 2006 to commemorate the World Health Organization’s removal of homosexuality from the Diagnostic Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-II) in 1973. The Day is a celebration of sorts, but also serves to raise awareness of unjust treatment and discrimination based on sexual orientation.
IDAHO may carry even more resonance for China’s LGBT community, where a mere 10 years ago they were still diagnosed as mentally ill. “Institutional homophobia still exists [in Chinese society],” the IDAHO China Committee explains. “Many LGBT individuals are still being marginalized and forced into heterosexual lifestyles by pressure from societal norms and social regulatory regimes.”
For the past two years, people have been showing their support for IDAHO with events all around the city. In 2009, 16 students cycled through local university campuses to spread the activist spirit. Last year, 20 volunteers gathered in Houhai with rainbow-clad tiger mascots. And this year on May 15, nearly 50 people turned out for the two events – “The Moving Rainbow” and “Smile for Gay” – to champion anti-homophobia at famous landmarks in Beijing.
At the Moving Rainbow, the LGBT community and allies convened at the Temple of Heaven and biked all the way to the Drum Tower, sporting anti-homophobia slogans and rainbow flags all the while. They also handed out souvenirs to passersby. See footage of the event at http://weibo.com/bjlgbtcenter and http://weibo.com/tongyulala.
At Smile for Gay, the LGBT community and allies took photos around the Houhai and Drum Tower area, collecting “smiles” and handing out flowers and educational brochures about LGBT rights.
The goal behind all these spirited gatherings is “to create a homophobia and transphobia-free environment in which people are free to live with their desired gender and achieve sexual agency.”
As Amnesty International states, “Human rights don’t discriminate … all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be able to enjoy the full range of human rights, without exception.”
So do your part today and spread the word. Remember, homosexuality remains a criminal offense in over 75 countries across the globe. Here’s to working towards a more open-minded accepting, loving world.
See more photos from the Day here in our online gallery.
Check out IDAHO China's blog (in Chinese) and add them on weibo at http://weibo.com/bjlgbtcenter
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Q&A: International Day Against Homophobia
The International Day Against Homophobia (May 17) was established in 2003 to generate awareness of unjust treatment and discrimination based on sexual orientation. In 2009, Tongyu (Common Language) made Beijing the first city in mainland China to celebrate IDAHO. We talked to local program director Karen Liao about how we can all rally behind the cause and join in on the festivities.
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Land on Nuandao: Holiday Pop-up Store Today in Gulou
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Yesterday, Nuandao announced its official soft launch to the public for the first time. The new-and-improved website also features e-commerce services. According to the press release, we can expect a carefully curated selection of well-designed products, some exclusive to Nuandao and “handpick[ed] for their authenticity, originality and style.”
walls
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
I suggest a International Day against Days set aside for BS Political Correctness.
I love my planet Vulcan. I'm proud of being a Vulcan in the universe.
herojuana
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
Damn straight.
How about an International "Shut the f*** Up and Stop Whining" day?
"Ooooh, I'm gay, I want to be treated equally but also specially!"
How
Evil
Robots
Operate
timopyeon
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
yeah, seriously.
it's POLITICAL CORRECTNESS GONE MAAAAAAAD.
groups who are subject to discrimination and abuse should just get over it already.
i mean what if women start to complain about the attitude that being raped is essentially their own fault? coz, you know they dress like sluts...
if things go that far why isn't anyone thinking of the white man? where is HIS day?
we should all stand up against this kind of liberal tosh.
Nlaw
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
Is it that all the previous comments' authors have been kicked out of their respective country and landed in China because of how bigoted they are? One wonders.
Yes, to be treated equally also includes not fearing for one's life and well-being when openly identifying as homosexual and transsexual. Those who think it is a "treat us specially day" are sorely lacking in knowledge, education, common sense and human decency.
rattlecakes
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
wow. what a hideous and pathetic display of privileged, self-righteous hatred. you should all be ashamed of yourselves. I hope your mamas read this.
did you close your eyes hatefully to make the boogeyman go away too? deplorable.
you dimwits are too lucky to even realize that you don't have to think about human rights not being "special rights".
ouyang14
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
If one wants to not be marginalized and be treated equally, he/she should stop running around dressed like a clown on a Tuesday, get a job and stop pretending that being gay makes you different.
timopyeon
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
ouyang14! right on
can you beleive the audacity of these clowns!
if the could only realise that if everyone just behaved the same way we'd have no problems. it's THEIR fault for CHOOSING to be different.
diversity, creativity, compassion, tolerance and the ability to challenge the status quo have brought NOTHING to modern civilisation.
when we look at cultures where traditional norms are enforced, be it via religious law (sharia law i'm looking at you
) or your plain old totalitarian regime we can see a clear pattern: people living longer, happier, healthier and crime free lives. those socities are advancing artistically and technologically at warp speed.
and then look at poor old permissive, tolerant europe: high taxes, political correctness and massively corrupt morals.
won't someone please think of the CHILDREN?!
Like you said, they clearly don't even have jobs!
thomasoldham85
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
Equal rights for everyone is not just politically correct - it is morally and ethically correct.
It is too easy for some people who have never been discriminated against to tell others to "shut up", "stop whining" etc. Even some of the less intelligent primates such as monkeys have mastered empathy, why do some humans find it so hard?
90hou
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
wow,that's cool~
下次我也来XD
The best new generation Post-90s!
pang duner
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
i am still a kid.
karena80
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
yeah, seriously
do you have some issues of your own Timo?
minority groups have to be seen in order to effect change, you're safe enough in your little world where you can marry, walk done the road holding hands with your unfortunate girlfriend.
so all gays should get over it already, and those that die because of their sexuality (well they're dead so I guess they're over it)
and nobody likes to hear a Man even attempt a joke or a comment about rape, if it happens to you then pass comment.
your comment about the white mans day sound close to nazi tosh.
either come out of your own closet or shut your uneducated mouth, instead of inciting hatred.
And dear lord if you were attempting irony then get a new study the word, u sound like Alanis morrisette!
karena80
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
Timo Pyeon your obvious hatred to all things gay wouldn't be anything to do with the fact your girlfriend left you for a Woman and is bringing your Daughter.
Think of the Children, how about not running to china to avoid child maintenance laws in Britain. Do you think of that CHILD!
Guess you don't read The Guardian anymore
rock on the Gays, better than the half Men who make kids and abandon them.
listen to the chickens coming home to roost!
karena80
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
I agree rattlesnakes, the worst display of idiots I have ever encountered. And some of these are educators. I hope there are no gay kids in the classrooms. To be fair they sound like a load of bitter old Men who were probably bullied at school and now think they can bully other behind the safety for there 500 £ glasses and badly fitted clothes.
Aier2
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
ITT: A bunch of fags miss the joke.
Ah well.
Kajoda
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
Go on LGBT-movement!!!!
What you are doing is wonderful and I hope one day it wont matter anymore if somebody is straight, bi, gay, lesbian, trans...
karena80
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
I am not a 'f**' as you so nicely put it. I don't find attempts at irony or jokes about people regarding color, sexuality or creed to be worthy of any reply besides disgust. I feel sorry for you.
Aier2
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
lol u mad?
Anyway, enjoy yet another international day of attention seeking. I guess you guys need it.
90后2
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
这里也这么热闹啊XD
everyone is a slave to money,i'm just a little bit more - 90hou.
fb: facebook.com/colinhuang93
pang duner
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
i am still a kid.
The Lizard King
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
again!
oh yeah? well, let me ask you this: shut up!
contemporary china = crouching tension, hidden anger.
herojuana
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
What's next?
International Day Against Furryphobia?
How
Evil
Robots
Operate
90后2
Re: Gay As Can Be: International Day Against Homophobia
yep~
everyone is a slave to money,i'm just a little bit more - 90hou.
fb: facebook.com/colinhuang93