IDAHO grows fast
International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) events will be increased this year as more organisations take part in what has become a growing global movement each 17 May.
A public debate in Martin Place, an online photo campaign and a user-generated hate crime map are new additions to the Sydney events this year, joining the IDAHO art exhibition run by Nick Baldas.
Workshops are also being held from this Thursday at the Pine Street Creative Arts Centre in Chippendale with community organisations including the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service, Twenty10, the Gay and Lesbian Choir and Keepsafe self-defence classes.
ACON’s Anti-Violence Project, NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, NSW Young Lawyers, City of Sydney, NSW Police and NSW Attorney General’s Department have come together to sponsor the Martin Place debate from noon on Friday 15 May.
Comedians will join activists and lawyers to ask whether same-sex adoption is a human right, and will share the stage with entertainment from singer Shauna Jensen.
Also at Martin Place will be the local launch of the popular online campaign that asks people to photograph themselves holding an anti-homophobia sign. Booths will be available following the adoption debate. Hundreds of supporters have already posted their photos on international versions of the project.
IDAHO began as a national event in Canada. It grew into an international protest in 2005, taking its place with Day of Silence and Pride -” marking the Stonewall riots -” as an annual event of the international gay and lesbian community.
Baldas said IDAHO Sydney was created to support the GLBTI and queer communities and bring the topic of homophobia into the open.
The main goal of the exhibition and workshops is to encourage and support all members of our community who have experienced or are experiencing homophobia and give them a safe environment where they can develop new skills to express themselves, he said.
Every GLBTI, queer and questioning person as well as a few of our heterosexual friends would have experienced homophobia to some degree.
info: Details can be found at idahosydney.wordpress.com
and acon.org.au.
I have received a quick response from Scott the editor and would like to apologize as It seems SSO has not received our press release but has assured me that when he does the rally will appear in the paper,”good on you Scott”And I do apologize for any misunderstanding.
Regards
Connor Montgomery “CAAH”
Congratulations to our NSW colleagues at the Anti Violence Project on their initiatives for IDAHO on May 17th.
Your southern colleagues here at the Anti Violence Project of Victoria wish you great success and we look forward to a possible national initiative with every state participating in 2010.
If anyone is traveling through Victoria in the lead up to May 17th, join into the Victorian activities… check out http://stophomophobiatoday.com
Cheers,
Greg Adkins
Vic AVP
My name is Maddie Bridgett and I am a performer and artist based in Brighton, UK and I am exhibiting work in IDAHO. This exhibition is extremely important in raising awareness and in creating and opening a dialogue about the basic human right to be free from violence, all forms of violence. I can not stress this point enough – that unless exhibitions like IDAHO continue to raise the profile of anti-violence then violence and discrimination will continue. As a community we must support this venture totally, and lets face it there’s nothing better than checking out some fabulous art as a way of participating.
I am Wondering why SSO has not published and helped to build the rally On Sun 17th at 1pm under the I Had A Dream Mural in King St?I think it is interesting that the protest is advertised for Victoria and not Sydney?
We have speakers from no less than 8 grassroots groups,from Scarlett Alliance,Butch/Femme/Trans Sydney,The Greens.
We have sent a press release but with no response.I am sure this is just an oversight and hope that It will be rectified.
Regards
Connor Montgomery “Trans spokeperson” “CAAH”
Editor’s Note: Connor, if you have sent a press release it has not been received by this office. You should send it to editor@starobserver.com.au.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Nick Baldas- curator IDAHO Sydney
http://www.idahosydney.wordpress.com
wow should read “how” bloody typos
Wow fitting that this acronym is the same as the name of one of the US’ most conservative and homphobic states.
Name and shame all bigots, homophobes and hate mongerers I say!!!