Flying the Flag for IDAHO

Sunday 17th May marks International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) and individuals and organisations across the world will be uniting and campaigning to raise awareness of homophobia.

IDAHO was founded by Louis Georges Tin in 2005. Campaigns and initiatives take place on or around May 17th every year to combat prejudice against LGBT people. May 17th is chosen because it marks the anniversary of the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental diseases.

International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) offers an opportunity to celebrate all the developments in legislation that tackle homophobia at home and highlight those people across the world who are still facing discrimination, torture, imprisonment and even death for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans.

Since last IDAHO there have been a number of highly publicised homophobic incidents in the UK many of which have involved violence and ended in death. In August, the openly gay Merseyside teenager Michael Causer died from head injuries sustained in an alleged homophobic attack. The case of Michael Causer highlights the importance of IDAHO and how much work is to be done in challenging and ending homophobia.

IDAHO gives us a platform for informing everyone of the active role that all LGBT people can play in our society today.

It also provides us with an opportunity to challenge misconceptions, myths and misunderstandings about our lives which can contribute to challenging feelings of fear and hate at home and abroad.

For IDAHO 2009 the Lesbian and Gay Foundation has been given the opportunity to support organisations across Greater Manchester to fly the rainbow flag.

Through actively marking IDAHO day we can all show an obvious and visible statement to local LGB&T communities that they are valued and supported. It is a great opportunity to highlight that LGB&T individuals, employees and communities are recognised and fully supported for their contribution.

We must use every opportunity to challenge homophobia in all its forms and IDAHO provides a perfect opportunity to connect as a global LGBT community as it is only through working together that we will erase hate and prejudice.

IDAHO Events across the North West

Lesbian & Gay Foundation Flying the Flag

To mark IDAHO 2009, the Lesbian & Gay Foundation are leading a campaign across Greater Manchester to mark the day. Funded by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, they have launched 'Flying the Flag', a campaign to encourage local authorities and other organisations such as the NHS, Police, Fire and education establishments from across the County to fly a rainbow flag from their buildings to mark International Day Against Homophobia.

A number of organisations have already committed to flying the flag including HM Prison Manchester, Manchester University, Bury Youth Services, and numerous Town Halls across the borough. The LGF continue to lobby and encourage various organisations across the region to support their LGBT communities and fly the rainbow flag with Pride on IDAHO. lgf.org.uk

To hear Darren Knight - The Lesbian & Gay Foundation's Development Manager - speaking about the importance of IDAHO on BBC Radio Manchester, click here.

Organisations involved in Flying the Flag include:

* Ashton Town Hall
* Bury Youth Services
* Dukinfield Town Hall
* Denton Town Hall
* Greater Manchester Police
* HM Prison Manchester
* Oldham Libraries
* Oldham Town Hall
* Oldham Civic Centre
* Manchester Town Hall
* Sale Town Hall
* Salford City Council
* Tameside Youth Services
* Trafford Town Hall
* University of Manchester

Terrence Higgins Trust (Wirral) Open Day

On Friday 15 May THT are calling on people in the Wirral to tackle homophobia as part of IDAHO. THT are holding an open day and awareness raising event at their Wirral HQ with specially invited speakers including MP for Wallasey Angela Eagle, and representatives from the Police and Health services. All are welcome to attend the open day at the THT centre, 5 Bridge Street on Friday 15th May at 2pm. info.wirral@tht.org.uk

Stockport and IDAHO

Stockport Council, PCT and other partners across the borough intend to mark IDAHO by holding a dress down for work day on Friday the 15th May and raising money for charities fighting homophobia. There is the opportunity to take part in an IDAHO photo opportunity with the Chief Executive on the 15th and rainbow badges will be on sale. Please contact angela.beagrie@stockport.gov.uk for more details.

Pan-Cheshire IDAHO Conference

The conference on the 15 May will look at the findings of The School Street Home (SSH!) Report on the experiences of violence against over 100 young people at school, home and in the street. The conference will include performances, workshops, and the launch of quality standards for LGBT student access. The Conference will take place from 10am-3pm at The Venue, Gadbrook Road, Northwich CW9 7JL (£30.00) lgbtyouthnorthwest@yahoo.co.uk

Manchester City Council LGBT consultation Day

To coincide with IDAHO, Manchester City Council are holding an LGBT Consultation Day at Manchester Town Hall on Saturday 16th May, 9.30am to 4pm. Manchester Town Hall will proudly be flying the rainbow flag and the day will include workshops on HIV and sexual health, LGBT history and heritage, a young people's panel, legal rights at work and play, transgender issues, asylum seekers, and an information exchange so that local groups can introduce themselves. There will also be space available so that local agencies can display information about their initiatives. For more information contact: h.khokhar@manchester.gov.uk

Manchester Police HQ Flying the Flag

Greater Manchester Police will be flying the Rainbow flag from their Head Quarters from Saturday 16th May. The Chief Constable will be raising the flag with other members of staff.

Tameside IDAHO walk and picnic

Proud Tameside (with the support of T3SC) is organising a walk and picnic to mark IDAHO Day. The walk and picnic will be held on Saturday 16 May at 1pm. The plan is to walk from Ashton Town Hall to Stamford Park. Everyone is welcome just bring your picnic along. For more information please contact Anna at T3SC, email: anna.hynes@t3sc.org or Tel: 0161 339 4985 for more details.

Look out for the rainbow flags on public buildings across Tameside. These promote the positive work that is happening in Tameside to support the LGBT community. For more on T3SC's work see: www.t3sc.org.

The Armistead Centre's IDAHO Health Day

As part of IDAHO Liverpool's Armistead Centre is organising a Holistic Health day on Saturday 16th May from 2pm till 6pm (the last appointment will be at 5.30pm). There are a number of therapies being offered including Hopi Ear, Indian Head Massage, Back Massage and reflexology. This event is open to all LGB&T people on Merseyside. Anyone interested can make a booking simply by ringing 0151 227 1931. info@armisteadcentre.co.uk

IDAHO Down

IDAHO Down takes over Manchester on 17 May as young people join some of the best bands in Manchester on stage at the The Attic. Hooker, Ste McCabe and Geek Girl will all be rocking out against homophobia. IDAHO Down is £4 and there is over £300 in prizes to be won. All proceeds go to help women in South Africa who are the survivors of 'corrective rape'. IDAHO Down, The Attic, Oxford Road, Manchester (8pm - 11pm). likt_info@yahoo.co.uk

Liverpool Pride Consultation Day on IDAHO

This year not only is Liverpool Town Hall flying the rainbow flag for the first time, but they are also opening their doors to the city's LGBT population and their friends and families to enjoy the historic surroundings, have a free afternoon tea, check out the information stalls, wave from the balcony, sign the book of condolence for Michael Causer and, crucially, tell volunteers from Liverpool's LGBT Network what you want from a Pride festival in Liverpool.
Liverpool Town Hall, Sunday 17 May 2pm onwards matthew.fox@lcvs.org.uk

Terrence Higgins Trust (Wirral) Awareness Raising Day on IDAHO

HIV and sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is calling for people in the Wirral to tackle homophobia as part of 'International Day Against Homophobia' on May 17. To mark the day THT is holding an awareness raising event at THT's centre at 5 Bridge Street on Friday 15th May at 2pm, and is inviting local people to attend. info.wirral@tht.org.uk

Wirral LGB&T Forum

Wirral LGB&T Forum will be flying the Pride Flag on the 17th May at the Bromborough Police Station (Wirral) Open Day. The Forum will be there along with the Merseyside Police LGBT Network. This is the fist time that the forum have been asked to attend such an event. For more information, click here.

Merseyside Police fly the flag for IDAHO

Merseyside Police are flying Rainbow flags in recognition of Idaho at the following Police Stations from 14th - 18th May: Wallasey, Birkenhead, Bebington, Heswall, Bromborough, Hoylake, and Upton.

Bolton Council

Bolton Council are marking IDAHO with a series of LGBT display stands in public areas across central Bolton from the 11 - 18 May. The PCT is also intending to display gay affirmative posters in Health Centres and discussions are ongoing with Bolton Hospital and Bolton University to get involved.

Homotopia Not Homophobia

This month Liverpool's queer arts festival Homotopia will be marking IDAHO day with a series of events and announcements that signals the festival's commitment to raising awareness of homophobia and discrimination. Artist Paul Harfleet will return to Homotopia later this month and in partnership with Armistead, Merseyside Police and Knowsley Gay Youth create a unique installation of pansies in Knowsley as a tribute to the late Michael Causer.

Exceeding Expectations, Manchester

Exceeding Expectations the Manchester initiative which goes into schools to challenge homophobic bullying, will be heading into schools on the lead up to IDAHO to tackle homophobia and promote understanding. Exceeding Expectations is a unique support package for schools; it includes teacher training, the Exceeding Expectations theatre production OUTLOUD, and workshops . www.exceedingexpectations.org.uk

Show your support and join the Lesbian & Gay Foundation's Walk Against Homophobia on 13 June, click here to sign up.

Help the Lesbian and Gay Foundation stand up to homophobia, to donate, click here.

This IDAHO page will be constantly updated, to get your IDAHO event added to the listings email: Joanne.Dunning@lgf.org.uk.