International Day Against Homophobia

It's all the negative attitudes that can lead to rejection and to direct or indirect discrimination towards gay men, lesbians, and bisexual, transsexual or transgender people or toward anyone whose physical appearance or behaviour does not fit masculine or feminine stereotypes.

The following are variants of homophobia:

	•	Bi-phobia: aversion towards bisexual people or bisexuality;

	•	Gayphobia: aversion towards gay men or male homosexuality;

	•	Lesbophobia: aversion towards lesbian women or female homosexuality.

Both on a conscious or sub-conscious level, homophobia surfaces in various ways and can even be internalised.

What is transphobia?

Transphobia is a negative attitude or feeling, a discomfort or an aversion towards transgender people, transsexuals or people who are transitioning.

What is the International Day Against Homophobia?

The International Day Against Homophobia is an annual thematic event occurring every May 17. This is a unifying moment during which a great number of activities are taking place. It also represents an opportunity to organize educational and awareness activities. Citizens from all walks of life are invited to reflect on homophobia and its devastating effects.

Why is the International Day Against Homophobia so important?

Homophobia is an insidious process that channels its effects through subtle, even disguised, ways. No one is safe from hostile manifestations of homosexuality. Like other forms of discrimination and intolerance such as racism, sexism or antisemitism, homophobia has important, sometimes devastating, repercussions for its victims.

Because of it, certain people have difficulty accepting and living a sexual orientation that is different from that of the majority, the suicide rate among young gays is much higher than with their heterosexual peers, a great number of gays and lesbians live in secret and in fear of rejection, and transgendered and transsexual persons still live on the fringe of society.

If progressive laws such as the Civil Marriage Act legalizing same-sex marriage are today a reality, social equality among all citizens regardless of the sexual orientation or sexual identity remains to be achieved.

Why May 17?

May 17th is symbolic due to its significance in improving the status of gays and lesbians. In removing homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses on a May 17, the World Health Organisation (WHO) put an end to over a century of homophobia in the medical field. IDAHO organization proposed this date for annually holding a day set aside to fight homophobia. The Declaration of Montréal (July 29, 2006), borne out of the International Conference on LGBT Rights that preceded the first World Outgames, recommended the worldwide recognition of an International Day Against Homophobia on May 17 of each year.

What are the goals that should be pursued on that day?

The Fondation Émergence has proposed that the following goals be pursued on the International Day Against Homophobia:

	•	promote the growth of harmonious relationships among people, regardless of their sexual orientation;

	•	further the inclusion of homosexual persons in society;

	•	encourage citizens to understand sexual diversity;

	•	strive to put an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation in keeping with the charters of rights and freedoms;

	•	give rise to a general open mindedness towards diversity, and other related values in our society;

	•	show the devastating effects of homophobia;

	•	propose and put in place concrete means to fight homophobia;

	•	induce all sympathizers to organize activities aimed at fighting homophobia;

	•	set up a consultation process among its partners;

	•	converge all anti-homophobia activities on a single day;

	•	put together an organizational structure capable of insuring the survival and recurrence of the event.

Who is in charge of organizing this day?

The International Day Against Homophobia belongs to no one individual in particular. It concerns everybody who hopes for a prejudice-free world that can provide a place at the table for everyone. The Fondation Émergence plays a prominent part in organizing this day across Canada.

Its role is to promote the Day, design communications campaigns, propose campaign themes, produce and distribute promotional material, post an internet website (www.homophobiaday.org), commission polls on the evolution of people’s attitudes and ways of thinking, as well as prompt and encourage individuals, groups and partners to organise activities within their environments.

In 2004, the Fondation Émergence publicly revealed a five-year action plan in which it proposed a specific theme for each campaign year, and identified an area of activity where there is a need to fight homophobia.

What is the story behind this day?

The Fondation Émergence, based in Quebec, first spearheaded what it then designated as the "National Day Against Homophobia" on June 4, 2003. With the help of its partners, Fondation Émergence later strove to have this annual day take place on a pan-Canadian level. In the meantime, countries such as Belgium, France and the United Kingdom caught on to the idea and set up similar events. The next step consisted in steering the initiative towards the international scene. This effort was accomplished thanks to the involvement of a number of countries that worked to spread the idea, and proposed May 17 as the date that would be observed throughout the world to fight homophobia. See also Archive.

How can I get involved in the fight against homophobia?

There are a number of ways people can contribute to the fight against homophobia. The International Day Against Homophobia is the perfect opportunity to make such efforts. There are a few simple ways to participate. For instance, we suggest that:

	•	parents tell their children that, regardless of their sexual orientation, they will love them just the same;

	•	teachers and instructors talk about homophobia in the classroom;

	•	libraries clearly display books on homophobia

	•	employers set up programs against homophobia in the workplace;

	•	trade unions organize awareness activities in the workplace;

	•	community groups heighten awareness among their constituencies;

	•	broadcasters present special reports and documentaries on the subject;

	•	newspapers publish reports and in-depth articles on the subject;

	•	radio and television stations call upon artists and personalities to speak on the subject, and play songs about tolerance;

	•	internet diffusers take out or refuse any homophobic content;

	•	gays and lesbians who wish to do so “come out” of the closet;

	•	legislators, governments, municipalities and school boards approve a motion in support of the International Day Against Homophobia, and make a commitment to fight homophobia; and that

	•	people in general make a symbolic gesture in their entourage

What is the level of participation on that day?

From year to year, more and more organizations and individuals have set up different initiatives ranging from the simple posting of promotion material to elaborate events. In 2007, close to 400 promotional activities have been put together across Canada. Homophobia is no longer fought in the periphery.

Where can I get posters and pamphlets?

Each year, the Fondation Émergence designs posters and pamphlets for its annual campaign that reaches its peak on that special day. These posters and pamphlets may be ordered through the Fondation Émergence by filling out a form available on its web site or by calling 514 866-6788.

I wish to organize an activity or make a gesture of some sort. Do you have any ideas to suggest?

All initiatives to combat homophobia, whether set in motion by an individual or a group, are welcome. Since 2003, there have been a great number of them:

	•	solidarity activities: raising the rainbow flag, marches (Rainbow Peace March or Walk Away from Homophobia, for example), planting trees;

	•	educational activities: round tables, seminars, conferences, and workshops;

	•	awareness activities: activities in the classroom, distribution of pamphlets or buttons within an organisation, information stands in schools or public places, special events at lunch time or in the evenings, organization of specific campaigns, film presentation on the subject of homophobia followed by a live discussion;

	•	artistic activities: photo, painting and art exhibits, public readings, performing arts;

	•	social activities: gatherings over coffee breaks, cocktails, barbecues, luncheons, and dinners emphasizing solidarity and awareness;

	•	media activities: press conferences, asking local and specialized media to run a story on the subject.

If you organize an activity, the Fondation Émergence, would like to know about it, and would be happy to promote it by posting on its web site the details you wish to make public (form). To the extent that its limited budget allows, the foundation makes financial contributions to help some activities see the light of day.

Where can I get teaching tools that may facilitate the conduct of awareness activities?

The "Teaching Tools" section of this web site offers an education kit that was designed by different organization and specialists. It includes training programmes for teachers and advisors, books aimed at day-care educators, and public television reports along with education packages. Links, complete with email addresses, to all the organizations that have developed these tools are also provided to help you have access to them.

What is the mission of the Fondation Émergence?

Created in 2000, the Fondation Émergence is the initiative of Quebec’s francophone gay helpline, Gai Écoute. Its mission is to foster the personal development of gay men, lesbians, and people who make up sexual diversity to further their inclusion within society, and to fight prejudice. The Fondation has led education campaigns in schools and instigated an annual thematic event to fight homophobia. Web site: www.fondationemergence.org.

Does the Fondation Émergence have significant support to hold this event?

An impressive number of organizations, close to 300 in fact, have officially supported the Fondation Émergence in its goal to hold once a year a day entirely focused on the fight against homophobia. These organizations represent a large spectrum of civil society: governments, municipalities, professional associations, public and parapublic organizations, political parties, and community-based organizations. In addition, each May 17, the Quebec National Assembly pays tribute to this event, members of Parliament raise the issue of homophobia in the House of Commons, and some provinces and municipalities make official proclamations making this a day dedicated to the fight against homophobia in their communities.

An organization that wishes to publicly lend its support to the goals of the Fondation Émergence, first has to receive approval from its board of directors.

Why does the Fondation Émergence give an annual award for the fight against homophobia?

The Fight Against Homophobia Award is Fondation Émergence’s way of recognising the significant contribution made by a personality or an organisation to combat the prejudice to which gays and lesbians are subjected. Presented every year since 2003, the Award has also served to highlight not only openness toward gay and lesbian realities, but also the successful work that enables society to accept these realities. The contribution that a personality or an organization is making to the fight against homophobia is the main selection criteria for the award. The process may also take into account the events of the past year. In addition, the prize can underline a person’s overall achievements during his or her lifetime.

I want to help the Émergence. How can I make a donation?

To organize the International Day Against Homophobia and fulfil its mission, the foundation relies on wide variety of donors, including private sector patrons, charity organizations, governments and individuals. Today’s realities affecting a great number of gays and lesbians call for donors to increase their level of contribution to the fight against homophobia. The Fondation Émergence has shown, and will continue to show, that it deserves your support to that effect.

You can give using your Visa or MasterCard by calling 514-866-6788. Make your check or money order payable to the Fondation Émergence inc. We suggest that you fill out the attached coupon (PDF). The Foundation will issue a charity receipt for all donations above $20, unless the donor specifies otherwise. Receipts make no reference to sexual orientation. Note that the foundation keeps information on its donors strictly confidential.

The Fondation Émergence is a registered charity organization with the Canadian and Québec departments of Revenue. Its registration number as a charity organization is: 875907420 RR0001
(www.cra-arc.gc.ca/charities).

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International Day Against Homophobia - May 17th