During a round table discussion in New York on Dec 8th, 2011, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon affirmed that homophobic bullying of young people constitutes a “grave violation of human rights,” and urged States to take the necessary measures to protect their citizens from violence and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
From UN report:
“Bullying of this kind is not restricted to a few countries but goes on in schools and local communities in all parts of the world,” Mr. Ban said in a message delivered by Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Šimonovic to a panel discussion on ending violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation at UN Headquarters in New York.
Tackling this problem is a shared challenge. We all have a role, whether as parents, family members, teachers, neighbours, community leaders, journalists, religious figures or public officials.
“It affects young people all the way through to adulthood, causing enormous and unnecessary suffering. Bullied children may become depressed and drop out of school. Some are even driven to suicide.”
Mr. Ban stressed the need to change harmful attitudes in society that encourage discriminatory laws and practices by State authorities.
“Tackling this problem is a shared challenge. We all have a role, whether as parents, family members, teachers, neighbours, community leaders, journalists, religious figures or public officials,” he said, adding that States are legally obliged to protect their citizens from this type of violence.
The panel discussion included the participation of: Philippe Kridelka, Director of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch; Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, a gay United States man who was tortured and killed; and Doi Nakpor, Nadine Moawad and Kelly Orazulike, human rights defenders in Thailand, Lebanon and Nigeria, respectively.
In connection with the Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on States to tackle violence against LGBT people, decriminalize consensual same-sex relationships, ban discrimination and educate the public
From UN press-room
In connection with the Day, a UN spokesperson said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on States to tackle violence against LGBT people, decriminalize consensual same-sex relationships, ban discrimination and educate the public – and he “supports the High (...) 
INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA
MESSAGE BY UNDP ADMINISTRATOR, HELEN CLARK
17 MAY 2012
Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). It commemorates the World Health Organisation’s decision in 1990 to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. That was indeed a milestone, and since then there has been much progress. Last year, the Human Rights Council passed their first resolution ever on “Human rights, sexual orientation (...) 
From Pan American Health Organisation
Washington, D.C., 17 May 2012 (PAHO/WHO) — Services that purport to "cure" people with non-heterosexual sexual orientation lack medical justification and represent a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said in a position statement launched on 17 May, the International Day against Homophobia. The statement calls on governments, academic institutions, professional associations and the (...) 
During the IDAHO week, the Paris LGBT Center will hold a series of events. Some are traditional IDAHO actions, like the giant Madison danse in front of the Museum of Modern Art. But a special emphasis has been put on actions around this year’s international IDAHO focus on fighting education IN and THROUGH education, with a special outreach program towards teachers to raise their awareness of the issue and develop their potential to take action.
The LGBT center in Paris, France will mark (...) 
