IDAHO
16 May 2011
May 17 2011 is International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).
IDAHO presents an excellent opportunity for organisations and individuals to reflect on their corporate and personal attitudes towards LGBT people.
Every year, IDAHO campaign activities and initiatives take place on or around 17 May to combat prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, promoting community events for all people to get together. This day was first marked in 1992, when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.
In Liverpool, organisations are joining together to celebrate the day to encourage hope, diversity and peace in the world, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Yesterday, staff and student representatives from LJMU’s LGBT Network enjoyed the 5th annual IDAHO ‘afternoon tea’ with The Lord Mayor at Liverpool Town Hall, joining 300 other members and supporters of the wider Liverpool LGBT community.
Liverpool’s arts and cultural organisation Homotopia http://www.homotopia.net continues its important social justice work including anti-homophobic bullying initiatives in Liverpool schools and a unique cultural exchange in Poland with Merseyside LGBT young people. Tomorrow evening there will be a screening of the Rikki Beadle-Blair feature film ‘comedy with a serious message’ titled 'Kick Off' at FACT on Bold Street, starting at 6.00pm.
The film explores what happens when the hardest team in the Sunday Soccer league comes up against a gay team and realise that they’ve finally met their match. It is followed by a Q&A session with the director and representatives from Premiership club, Everton. Admission is £8.50, £7.50 (student, retired and income support ) and £6.00 (children under 15). Seats may be booked online.
At LJMU, we promote an inclusive, respectful and just environment for everyone. People are valued equally and diversity is celebrated, with zero tolerance to any form of discrimination. We are proud of our LGBT staff and students who contribute to policy development, raise awareness and proactively support regional, national and international LGBT campaign activities to positively recognise LGBT people in our wider society.
For further information email Meriel Box (Chair, LGBT Network) M.Box@ljmu.ac.uk or Moni Akinsanya (LJMU Equality and Diversity Adviser) M.M.Akinsanya@ljmu.ac.uk
