UNESCO has launched the United Nations’ first-ever international consultation to address bullying against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) students in schools and universities.
Recent studies such as the Council of Europe’s Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Europe have identified pervasive homophobic and transphobic attitudes around the world, leaving LGBT people vulnerable to alarmingly high rates of hate crimes, discrimination and violence based on their sexual orientation.
In the United States, more than 90 per cent of LGBT students say they have been subjected to homophobic harassment; in New Zealand 98 per cent of LGBT people say they have been verbally or physically abused at school. This homophobic violence violates the right of young people to education and safe learning environments.
As a result of stigma and discrimination at school, young people who are subjected to homophobic bullying are more likely to drop out. They are also more likely to contemplate self-harm, commit suicide, and engage in activities or behaviours that pose a risk to their health.
The consultation will take place between 6 and 9 December 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It will explore how to best support LGBT students and teachers, prevent and address homophobic and transphobic bullying and discrimination in schools, and ensure LGBT-safe learning environments. The initiative is examining existing policies and programmes around the world in order to share best practices with ministries of education.
The IDAHO Committee will participate in the debates and present the outlines of the global initiative it proposes to facilitate for the next International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) on May 17th, 2012.
The discussions will constitute an important stepping stone towards refining the final outlines of the IDAHO Education Action.
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 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 (...) 
