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IDAHO 2008...
review
The cold, windy evening didn't stop the songs and didn't stop a few of the planned 77 colour lanterns being launched over Brighton Pier to mark the International Day Against Homophobia 2008. With homosexuality still outlawed in 77 countries being out as a gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans person is still a huge issue for many millions of people around the globe.
Although the wind prevented the majority of the lanterns from being released, a few did successfully make it into the skies and cheers went up. As well as songs from the City of Brighton Gay Men's Chorus and the Rainbow Chorus, we also heard from Green Councillor Caroline Lucas who spoke powerfully about complacency and the issues around homophobia in both this country and abroad:
"We mustn't be complacent just because we've achieved some good things here in Britain... there's still lots to be done! We need to keep the pressure up on our own government for action here at home and for a much stronger foreign policy."
Caroline spoke about the recent events surrounding Moldovan Pride where police failed to guarantee the right to a peaceful march in support of anti-discrimination legislation when extremist groups became aggressive and the event was stopped. She also asked us to put pressure on the government to stop deportation of LGBT people when they face torture and possible death on return to their own countries, "for a government that prides itself on LGBT issues it's outrageous."
IDAHO will continue to be an important day on the LGBT calendar for as long as homophobia exists in the world... which may be a long, long time yet.
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about IDAHO : International Day Against Homophobia
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It's difficult to envisage in the relatively open society in which we live in the UK, Europe and Australia, that there are an astonishing 77 countries who punish women, men and children because of their sexuality. But then, it was only in 1990 that the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from their list of mental disorders. IDAHO - International Day Against Homophobia - exists to provoke action to end Homophobia. A number of events are planned for 17th May 2007, International Day Against Homophobia, around the world. We've listed a few here, so please do attend and show your support. Click for more info and complete listings for IDAHO : International Day Against Homophobia 
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