Guess what, kids? Monday, 17th May, is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, aka IDAHO.

What is this IDAHO? Well, here’s an explanation:

In 2004, Louis-Georges Tin, university professor, intellectual, and homosexual rights activist, took the initiative of launching a International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, and founded the IDAHO Committee, an international association aiming at developing this initiative.

[...]

The Day has been launched with the idea of creating a worldwide community of activists and committed people, sharing the ideal of a world without homophobia nor transphobia in which everyone can freely choose their own sex life and gender identity.

The date, 17th May, is chosen as this is the date in 1990 that the World Health Organisation (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.  The day is officially recognised in certain countries, too, which is fairly remarkable. Perhaps Ireland needs to catch up on such a radical notion.

To mark IDAHO, this year sees the Great Global Kiss-In take place. Co-ordinated by Gays.com, the idea is for every country – if not every major city – in the world to see a big ol’ snog-fest take place place at a recognisable landmark. Think flash-mob with smooches.

This year for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia, we want YOUR help in organising kiss-ins like this in major cities around the world between May 14-17 — that’s the weekend before IDAHO2010!

Gay, straight, black, white — whatever you look like and whatever your political stripes are — as long as you believe in love and equality for ALL people everywhere, we want you to join us in a kiss-in near where you are.

Details will be up soon on this very website, but if you think you can help us put together a kiss-in in your city, don’t hesitate and write to us at idaho@gays.com!

If there isn’t an event taking place near you, the organisers are encouraging people to send in photos or videos of themselves and their kissing partner locking lips.

Unfortunately, I haven’t heard word of a Kiss-In taking place in Ireland – but if you know of something happening this weekend or during the week, let us know in the comments or by email!

There are, however, inclusive events taking place in Dublin, Cork and Belfast, organised by Changing Attitude Ireland (CAI). The details are:

Sunday, 16th May 2010

International Day Against Homophobia

Dublin: Christ Church Cathedral, 3.30pm
Belfast: St. George’s Church, 3pm
Cork: St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, 7pm
A Service on the theme

“OPEN DOORS”

ALL WELCOME
Come with friends and family

www.changingattitudeireland.org

What do you think about IDAHO, about the Kiss-In, and about the CAI events?

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