Παρασκευή 17 Μαΐου 2013

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia - 17 May





International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia




rainbow flag
On this day in 1990, 
the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list 
of mental illnesses.


Like racism, xenophobia or anti-semitism, homophobia and transphobia are forms of discrimination.

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

While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments prohibit discrimination, over 75 countries currently have sodomy laws or other legal provisions criminalising homosexuality.

Apart from the inherent violation of criminalising sexual conduct, these laws empower police and other authorities to abuse, harass, extort, imprison and even execute people whose sexual orientation, gender identity or expression differs from dominant norms.

Sources: 
International Day Against Homophobia, International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission

Selected Learning Materials

Study Guide on Sexual Orientation and Human Rights
Short introduction into the human rights framework regarding sexual orientation.


This curriculum is intended to further thoughtful examination and responsible action among high school students about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. 

It consists of an introduction and nine activities for use with upper secondary/high schools.

Designed to help educators create a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual (LGBT) youth in schools, this guide provides concrete strategies for supporting LGBT students, educating about anti-LGBT bias and advocating for changes within schools.
This handbook is designed for human rights organisations intending to monitor the occurrence of homophobic and transphobic incidents and violence in order to advocate for legislative changes to increase legal protections against violence motivated by hatred towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Useful Links

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)

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