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Frequently Asked Questions
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What happens on the International Day against homophobia and transphobia ?
Since homophobia manifests itself differently in different social and geographic climates, the appropriate responses to it also differ. In many southern countries, the problem lies in forced (heterosexual) marriages, mostly for women ; in many northern countries, it is the right to (homosexual) marriage that is at the heart of the debate.
In certain societies, homosexual men may find themselves either excluded or lynched in public; whereas homosexual women are locked up inside their homes (...)
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Don’t those who speak out against homophobia just like portraying themselves as victims?
It is unlikely that victims of homophobia take pleasure in being victimized. Homophobic acts and speech are realities that we must not ignore (any longer). Our objective is precisely to denounce past and present violent acts in order to avert, or at least to limit, future ones. The problem is not homosexuality, it is homophobia : we must therefore focus our efforts on the root of the problem. Whether we like it or not, we are all children of homophobia. However, the fight that we wage (...)
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In what way does the International Day against homophobia and transphobia differ from Gay or LGBT Pride Day?
The two events differ precisely in as much as they complement one another :
In principle: the annual LGBT Pride Day marches emphasize that Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals are proud of their identity and refuse to be shamed; The Global Day Against Homophobia highlights that in reality it is homophobia that is shameful and must be deconstructed in its social logic and fought against openly.
In practice: through LGBT Pride Day, we march in the streets in order to be heard by civil (...)
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What is the situation for LGBT people today ?
According to an opinion widely held, homosexuality is said to be freer today than ever before. It is present and visible everywhere : in the street, in the newspapers, on television, at the movies. It is even supposedly completely accepted, judging by the recent legislative advances made in many countries for the recognition of same sex couples. Certainly, some work remains necessary in order to eradicate the last vestiges of discrimination. But with changing public opinion, it will only (...)
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What is the status of other types of discrimination? Does this International Day against homophobia and transphobia risk obscuring them?
We don’t think so. While it is important to envisage Discrimination as a general phenomenon, it is necessary to fight it also in its specific forms – and homophobia is one of these forms. Without which, discussion and action would lead into abstraction, indifference, if not sheer confusion. This is, by the way, one of the main interests of the International Women’s Day, which emphasizes in a specific way the inequality between the sexes. Similarly, the International Day against homophobia and (...)
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Is it better to talk about homophobia, or LGBTphobia ? And what about « Transphobia » ?
The word "LGBTphobia" is supposed to allow the inclusion at the same time of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Trans people. Unfortunately, what is gained in inclusiveness is lost in readability. The word "homophobia" is today known and recognized in a large number of countries. The word "LGBTphobia" is relatively almost unknown to the majority of countries in the world. Moreover, some people suggest "LGBTQphobia" in order to include "queer" people. And why not ? In our opinion, everything (...)
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Why May 17th ?
May 17 was chosen because the date is the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s May 1990 decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.
This victory of the lesbian-gay-bisexual and transgender (LGBT) cause was a historic step towards considering freedom of sexual orientation and gender identity as a fundamental basic human right.
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What are the practical objectives of this Day?
In practice, our first objective is to provoke action. Actions can take place in a number of different forms: a debate in the classroom, an exhibition in a cafe, a demonstration in the street, a radio program, a screening in a neighbourhood home, a round table organized by a political party, a short story competition sponsored by a newspaper, an awareness campaign led by an association, etc. These initiatives can be backed by LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans) associations, by human rights (...)
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Ugandan Organisation SMUG calls for action
 SEXUAL MINORITIES UGANDA [SMUG] OUTRAGED BY THE CLOSURE OF LGBTI CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP BY THE STATE MINISTER OF ETHICS AND INTEGRITY REV. FR. SIMON LOKODO
SEXUAL MINORITIES UGANDA [SMUG] OUTRAGED BY THE CLOSURE OF LGBTI CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP BY THE STATE MINISTER OF ETHICS AND INTEGRITY REV. FR. SIMON LOKODO
KAMPALA- February 15, 2012
Exactly one week after the re-tabling of the Anti Homosexuality Bill (2009) by MP David Bahati, a workshop organized by lesbian, gay, (...)
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Uganda
African Activists call for Africans to protest action against Ugandan ’kill the gays’ bill
 The COALITION OF AFRICAN LESBIANS (CAL), a pan African network of lesbian, bisexual and gender non-conforming people, organizations and individuals, calls upon every person who believes in the dignity, equality and freedom of every human being, to take note of and act urgently to halt the Anti-Homosexuality Bill which has just been re - tabled in Uganda.
ALL AFRICANS TO RESIST, REJECT, OPPOSE THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL CURRENTLY TABLED IN THE UGANDA PARLIAMENT
The COALITION OF AFRICAN (...)
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United States
Same Sex Marriage Rights soon a reality in Washington State
Following the Senate, the Washington House voted 55-43 today to approve marriage equality and send the bill to the governor, who has said she will sign it.
But opponents have vowed to fight gay marriage with a ballot measure, similar to California’s Proposition 8 that would give voters the opportunity to overturn pro-gay legislation.
Such a move might nevertheless be discouraged by the decision on February 7th by the US 9th District Court of Appeals that Proposition 8, which aims at (...)
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Russia
Saint Petersburg’s Legislative Assembly adopts ’Gay Gag’ law
 The Russian city’s Legislative Assembly has adopted today a law that makes any reference to homosexuality a legal offense.
The Russian city’s Legislative Assembly has adopted today a law that makes any public reference to homosexuality a legal offense.
The law prohibits the so-called propaganda of "sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism" to minors, equating it with pedophilia
Similar laws have already been adopted and implemented in other Russia’s cities and regions: 2006 in (...)
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United States
California one step closer to Marriage Rights
 California courts ruled on February 7 that ’Prop 8’, which took away the right to marriage previously granted to Californian citizens, is unconstitutional
In November 2008, the constitutional amendment known as "Prop 8" struck down the right that Californian citizens previously enjoyed.
After married gay couples challenged Prop8, the Californian Supreme Court upheld Prop 8 in 2009 in a first ruling but ruled that marriages made before November 2008 remained valid.
In August 2010, United (...)
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