NJ Equality: April: Throw Book at Ravi;
May: We Opposed Book-throwing

(Rev. Sharpton in a yarmulke. Oy.)

The blacks have Al Sharpton to whip up dangerous frenzied public reactions in high-profile crimes that put the wrong kind of pressure on prosecutors, and the gays in New Jersey have Steven Goldstein, pictured, to do the same.

In the tragic death of gay Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, Goldstein, who is executive director of Garden State Equality and former producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show, has been part of a lynch mob against Dahrun Ravi, an Indian-American sentenced to thirty-days in jail, three-years probation and thousands of dollars in fines and fees for web-cam spying.

Back in February, Goldstein wanted a manslaughter charge filed against Ravi, according to NBC news:

“Frankly I think Dahrun Ravi should be charged with more than just invasion of privacy, which is essentially calling him a ‘Peeping Tom,’” said Steven Goldstein with Garden State Equality, a gay rights group. “In my view, Dahrun Ravi should be charged with manslaughter.”

He wasn't alone in desiring that charge. According to a New York Times article in October 2010, another gay executive director thought that charge would be appropritate, not only against Ravi, but also against Molly Wei who was originally charged in the case but eventually cooperated with prosecutors and had the charges dropped:

Malcolm Lazin, a former federal prosecutor who is executive director of Equality Forum, a national gay rights advocacy group, called on prosecutors to charge the two students with reckless manslaughter. “Clearly, what they did was premeditated,” Mr. Lazin said. “This was not a visceral response. This was something that was well thought out, executed and then put on the worldwide Internet.” 

To my ears, I hear him saying throw the proverbial book at him.

Further back in time, Goldstein didn't dance around with what he wanted in a quote originally given to WINS Radio and later picked up by WCBS, in April 2011:

“This was the only conceivable way to go. This indictment, 15 counts, signifies that Dharun Ravi clearly violated New Jersey law in terms of Tyler Clementi’s invasion of privacy,” Steven Goldstein, of Garden State Equality, told 1010 WINS. “The fact that Mr. Ravi invaded Tyler Clementi’s privacy based on his perception that Tyler Clementi was gay, we believe the book should be thrown at Mr. Ravi for a heinous, heinous crime.”

Funny how yesterday, when the judge rendered the sentence, Goldenstein issued a statement, carried un-fact checked by dozens of gay bloggers and news sites, and mainstream media outlets, in which all of a sudden he saying something totally different about that damn proverbial book:

"We have been public in taking a position of balance: We opposed throwing the book at Dharun Ravi. We have spoken out against giving him the maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and against deporting him. That would have been vengeance beyond punishment and beyond sending a message to the rest of society."

Goldstein is practicing Etch-a-Sketch politics here and should be called to account for coveting a manslaughter charge, that clearly would have been been over-charging and very likely rejected by a judge or jury.

Instead of discussing tossing the book at Ravi, I'd like to chat with Goldstein about opening the book on how he came to promote bad judicial proposals and within months, reverse his views an official Gay Leader of the Movement on what he wanted from the judge at sentencing.

IDAHO: Burma's 106-Year-Old 
Trans Woman Shines in Photos

Over at the Gay Star News, in a story written by Anna Leach, is a report about the first International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Burma and how a 106-year-old transgender woman was present. The IDAHO event was held at a social hall titled "Paying Respect to Seniors", and was organized by the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma.

Since the story omitted the name of the transgender woman and a photo of her, I contacted the executive director of the institute, Aung Myo Min, and asked him for additional info. He wrote back and included the photos you see here. Aung Myo Min said:

I am glad to help you and to make her known. Her name is U Kyaw. She was a singer and dancer at the Burmese traditional music band, called "Saing Win". Of course, her favorite is activity is dancing. Her husband died and she is now staying the relatives of her husband in Yangon. 

It is with great pride and humble gratitude to share the photos, which were snapped by Atta Kyaw:

 (U Kyaw, center, with transgender friends. Credit: Atta Kyaw.)

(U Kyaw, at IDAHO in Burma. Credit: Atta Kyaw.)

All of the transgender folks in the photos are beautiful and are examples of our brave LGBT sisters and brothers around the world who make IDAHO the fabulous event that it is. Let's salute the courageous LGBT community of Burma for their first of hopefully many IDAHOs to come!

My previous IDAHO coverage is here and here and here and here.

IDAHO: Georgia Gov Issues Weird
'Mistreatment Awareness' Proclamation

(To insult LGBT people in Georgia, the governor issued this proclamation for IDAHO. Credit: Dyana Bagby.)

I'm having quite a difficult time finding reports about International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia actions of significance (Gay Inc releases don't count) in the United States, in addition to the Gays Without Borders rally and flag-lowerings in San Francisco.

Thanks to a story by Dyana Bagby in the GA Voice of Atlanta, I learned that one activist pushed Republican Gov. Nathan Dean to take a stand:

There's no doubt Gov. Nathan Deal is far from a friend to LGBT people. He ran one of the most — if not the most — anti-gay campaign in the state's history. His homophobia reared its ugly head again on the International Day Against Homophobia, recognized in Atlanta and around the world on May 17. Atlanta's IDAHO organizer Betty Couvertier last year asked the governor's office for a proclamation recognizing IDAHO. [...] This year, she made sure to meet the deadline and sent in a proclamation request asking Gov. Deal and his office to recognize May 17, 2012, as International Day Against Homophobia in Georgia. [...] But Couvertier likes to push buttons and she persisted and finally she got the proclamation. Except the governor's office changed the name of the day to "Mistreatment Awareness Day." [...] 

The proclamation was read aloud at the IDAHO event held in Hapeville's Village Church by Couvertier, with a hint of sarcasm and a few giggles from those in attendance. Essentially, "Mistreatment Awareness Day" states that it's wrong for people to commit "criminal mischief" against others and subject them to harassment in violation of any state law. [...] 

[The closest Gov. Dean's weird proclamation comes to addressing homophobia is in this section:] "Whereas the state of Georgia does not tolerate the criminal mistreatment of its citizens in any way shape or form, whether it is bullying on the playground, harassment in the workplace or general mental and physical abuse our state is one that will see that individuals who act against the law are … held accountable for their behavior."

(Betty Covertier. Credit: J.D. Harvill.)

Kudos to pushy lesbian activist Couvertier for organizing IDAHO events in recent years, and for requesting something - anything! - from her state government. I like that in addition organizing a meeting at her church on May 17, she also pressed her elected officials for recognition of the global solidarity day.

In a show of true insult and weirdness, the governor declared May 13 as IDAHO revealing the petty lengths he goes to in order to disrespect gays.

Couvertier and I have traded emails this weekend, and she informed me that respectful proclamations honoring IDAHO were received from the Atlanta City Council and the Georgia House of Representatives.

While I could quibble that Couvertier didn't hit the streets for IDAHO visibility, the important thing here is that pushed a number of government bodies to take a stand on May 17 for global LGBT solidarity, which in turn strengthens the local gay activist community.

Imagine if for IDAHO 2013, gay Americans in all fifty states and the District of Columbia asked their city councils, governors and mayors to issue proclamations for IDAHO. It would a giant step forward for engaging gay Americans in global LGBT issues and express solidarity with our brothers and sisters beyond our borders.

Again, I thank Betty Couvertier for her continuing activism on behalf of IDAHO.

IDAHO: Gay Iranians Display
Rainbows, Make Vids, Begin Facebook Page

Let's talk about a handful of incredibly brave young gay Iranians, who participated in International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on May 17 in several very creative ways, despite great risks of being detected by the dreaded secret police and religious fanatics in Iran.

I first found photos and a report on the JoopeA News site, explaining some the public activism:

In Iran, because of anti-homosexuality laws and oppressive conditions, there aren't many observable activities; however, LGBT activists have many actions for this day every year. Last year, many of the LGBT rights activists distributed brochures and ads about this day in Tehran. [...] This year, LGBT rights activists have launched the “Homophilia” campaign on Facebook. Some homosexuals and transsexuals distributed educational brochures in Tehran, carried rainbow flags and banners, and flew colored balloons in order to create new social movements.

A few of their photos:

(Looks like they are in a park or a fairground in these two images.)

 (I'd say they took photos being visible on a public bus.)

After reading the report and appreciating the photos, I followed the link to the activists' Homophilia Facebook page, which is open to folks like me who are not on Facebook. (A big thank you to the gay Iranians for unlocking their page for everyone to see!) There were more photos available at that page including this one:

The caption explained the story of the image: "Ali and his sister's hand with bracelet that their mother made. His mother and sister are Homophiles. We love you!"

Simply amazing, that a young gay Iranian is out to his sister and mother, who created their rainbow bracelets, showing the world very crucial support for this gay youth.

I went to the YouTube channel for this Homophilia campaign from LGBT Iranians, watched all of their videos and each person who made one a message of support. These courageous Iranians take the time to add English subtitles to each video, making me love them for all of the diverse ways they are supporting each other, joining IDAHO every year and making it easy for Westerners to understand them thanks to the translations.

Here's a touching video from a female-to-male transgender Iranian, talking about how his rejection by some friends led to some positive advocacy on his part:

The video below made me cry, I was so overcome with emotion for this heroic gay youth. He speaks about coming out to his mother over a five-year period, says she is sitting next to him and that even though he's not formally told his brother about being gay, the brother knows and still loves him:




At about the 1:01 mark, it sounds like his mother corrects or reminds him about the point he is making. Ah, mothers everywhere, always looking after their kids! ;-)

While these fearless, bold and intrepid young LGBT Iranians put themselves at risk and take big chances to do _anything_ public for IDAHO, professional gay advocates and organizations in America did the bare minimum on May 17 and issued press releases or held meetings in their offices.

The likes of the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. Global Equality, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Watch, Anti Violence Project of New York City, and Truth Wins Out should look to the gay Iranians for inspiration about betting into the streets and being visible for IDAHO.

And to all the LGBT Iranians, their families, and friends who did all these great things for IDAHO this year, I salute you and your love and advocacy. You are true heroes and heroines.

SF Film Society Screens
Rohmer's 'Summer' & 'Reinette and Mirabelle'

The Pacific Film Society in October showed new prints of "Summer" and "Four Adventures of Reinette and Mirabelle", two Eric Rohmer films made in the 1980s and I headed over to Berkeley for those screenings. Glad I did.

I saw "Summer" when it was first released here, enjoyed it tremendously and was pleased to find it holds up remarkably well. We follow the woes of a young Parisian woman trying to make the most of her annual vacation, traveling alone seeking out friendship and romance. As with other Rohmer women characters the lead talks and talks and talks about her troubles, unwilling to compromise her standards, often irritating people who like her.

Ah, but what talk, that is always revealing more about the heroine and consistently entertains. My favorite scene is when she has dinner with newly-made acquaintances, eats practically nothing and explains her belief that vegetables have feelings. The ending is especially moving when she accidentally meets a man and they make the best of what is likely to be a summer fling.

Starring Marie Riviere, pictured, who reveals a human hunger for the right companion, with occasionally heartbreaking vulnerability. Riviere applies the perfect touch of humor, and several times I wanted to reach across the screen and give her a hug.

"Reinette and Mirabelle" was something I hadn't seen before, and while it's not as entertaining as the other Rohmer film, it's still work checking out.

We follow two women friends, one from the city and the other from the countryside, as they pursue careers and romances and they talk, talk, talk. The dialogue and scenarios don't sparkle here as in "Summer" but the lead actresses more than compensate for those deficits with beautifully relaxed performances.

A character study in which the action consists of "Reinette and Mirabelle" in their daily lives, I found the most charming and enjoyable adventures to be the first, set on a farm, and the last that plays out in a Parisian art gallery.

If you have time for only one of the films on this double-bill, playing through May 24 at the San Francisco Film Society Cinema in Japantown, choose "Summer". The society is showing the new prints, from The Film Desk company. Click here for showtimes and ticket information.

Gay Inc USA:
Flurry of Futile Releases on IDAHO

(Is a bomb scare the only way to get Joe Solmonese out of HRC's office in the daytime? Credit: Will O'Bryan, Metro Weekly.)

Let's have a look at how American LGBT advocacy groups large and small marked International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia yesterday, judge how engaged they were from a visibility perspective.

The the Human Rights Campaign held a forum inside their Washington headquarters titled The Road to Safety: Strengthening Protection of LGBTI Refugees in Uganda and Kenya. It was cosponsored by Human Rights First, which issued a report that day with that title, Global Equality, and the United Nations Refugee Agency.

Neither the HRC release nor the story on the meeting from Metro Weekly list an actual LGBT refugee as among the invited speakers, nor does it appear any Ugandans or Kenyans were present.

I'll give the sponsoring organizations small credit for doing something, an event very much in their comfort zone. It's too much to ask these lobbyists and nonprofit researchers to get out of the suites and into the streets, say, in front of one of the many foreign embassies within walking distance of HRC.

Sure, address the needs of LGBT refugees, but don't forget the power of also picketing at embassies of government oppressing LGBT people. 

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation observed IDAHO by writing a blog post, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's blog marked the day, while the Truth Wins Out blog commented on IDAHO actions in Italy.

New York City's Anti Violence Project sent out an email inviting everyone to attend a meeting at their office about bathroom safety issues for LGBT people. Nothing about IDAHO was posted on their site, but their Facebook page reported the meeting was their third in a series of such talks on the same issues and IDAHO is omitted from the post.

What about the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, also based in New York? They issued a release recognizing the day.

From the Human Rights Watch site, we learn that one of their LGBT researchers penned an essay the day before IDAHO about how a UN official's video promoting gay love and tolerance get her arrested in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Not that HRC's organizing around IDAHO is any great shakes, the flurry of releases from the others shows the low importance they give to the day of global solidarity where many risk harm and being bloodied by taking to the streets to be visible. And designating an already-schedule in-house meeting does not impress.

All these groups in New York must be allergic to the hundreds of foreign consulates, trade offices and missions to the United Nation because the professional LGBT advocates could muster up a single public protest at one anti-gay government office. 

Until I read a column at the Advocate, I had no idea the IDAHO committee had an American-based campaigns officer named Ryan Ubuntu Olson. He never reached out to us here in San Francisco, nor did he offer any assistance in attracting more folks or media to our May 17 action.

Based on the fact that he says nothing in his Advocate piece about actually staging an action himself, I can safely say he would fit right in at any of the Gay Inc groups mentioned.

If just the people at HRC making more than $100,000, or the top three employees and their executive assistants at the New York groups decided to stage a picket at an embassy or UN mission, there would be a decent crowd for the cameras and reporters to cover.

Out of the suites! Into the streets!

Party Time: Blade Sells 
Journalistic Soul to NGLTF

(NGLTF's Winter Party in Miami will soon enjoy free p.r. from the Blade.)

In the future, I won't waste my time pitching story ideas critical of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to the Washington Blade. The paper's site today heralded their co-opting by the task force, in an announcement indicative of future Blade treatment of the group. Not a single person is quoted from a journalistic watchdog organization or the community weighing in on the myriad ethical challenges of this questionable partnership.

Let's unpack the gushing release:

The Washington Blade, the nation’s oldest and most acclaimed LGBT newspaper, today announced it has become a National Corporate Partner of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The Blade becomes the sixth National Corporate Partner of NGLTF and joins Grey Goose Vodka, Showtime, Southwest Airlines, Chili’s Restaurants and Wells Fargo as National Corporate Partners. 

That acclaim the paper once enjoyed from some quarters of the community just went down the toilet, along with its independence from a political group it should not be in bed with. Nice of the Blade to give good p.r. to the other corporate sponsors of the task force, for no good reason other than to show how cozy they now are with NGLTF.

“We’re pleased to join in this partnership with the Washington Blade,” said Russell Roybal, deputy executive director of external relations of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “We both have long histories in the LGBT rights movement and are excited about this opportunity to work together.” 

Of course Roybal is happy as a clam, now that his group can count on nothing but glowing reportage on their activities. They may be excited about their collaboration, but readers should not share in their joy.

“As a longtime supporter of the Task Force, I am excited to work with this important organization as a National Corporate Partner,” said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. “The Blade looks forward to furthering our mission of informing the LGBT community while supporting the Task Force’s work for full LGBT equality.” 

Oh, a longtime supporter of a political organization? Makes me question previous reporting by the Blade of their new partner. Another aspect of this deal that stinks.

The Blade will also sponsor the annual Pink & Purple Weekend in Washington, D.C., the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change in Atlanta, and the Winter Party Festival in Miami. The Task Force events will be publicized through all of the Blade’s media outlets.

How lovely. The Blade will be promoting the task force's three annual parties. Yes, Making Money, er, Creating Change is one big schmooze-and-cruise event disguised as movement building. It's like the Winter Party, only not held annually in Florida.

The respect and integrity once a hallmark of the Blade is now official over. Finally, can anyone point to a genuine accomplishment or two of deep benefit to the gay community from NGLTF in the past year, five years or decade? Crickets are chirping.

SF Chronicle Covers IDAHO,
Ignores SF Action Noted by Fox News

(SF's UN Plaza on May 17 was the site of an IDAHO-related speak out and remembrance. Credit: Gays Without Borders.)

Someone should tell the editors at the San Francisco Chronicle that their selection of eight wire photos of various International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia that they're running on their site tonight are welcomed attention for this important global event, but that one important city was omitted from the paper's photographic roundup.

Those editors also need to be told that an IDAHO action happened in their own backyard yesterday. Yes, less than a fifteen-minute walk from the Chronicle offices at Fifth and Mission Streets, Gays Without Borders staged a great IDAHO event at UN Plaza.

Not only did I send alerts to assorted Chronicle editors and reporters, but the Bay City News ran a listing prior to today's UN Plaza action on their daybook. Also, the Bay City News also wrote a short piece about our action before it happened and it ran at the SF Appeal.

Interestingly, Fox News' Latino wire wrote about Latin American celebrations of IDAHO and had this say about one American city's participation:

The San Francisco Pride organization will lower the flag at UN Plaza in downtown.

Okay, so they got it wrong about the group that staged the event here, but I wish to note that we had Brendan Behan, executive director of the SF Pride organization speak at our event, and we were glad to have him and his group join us. The crucial thing is Fox News got it right about the flag lowering in this gay mecca.

Says a lot when a gay event gets more attention from a Fox News wire than the Chronicle.

Why did this city's major daily totally ignore the IDAHO flag lowerings a short distance from where they work? IDAHO is not something that only occurs beyond San Francisco's borders.

S.F. Flies UN & US Flags
at Half-Staff Honoring IDAHO

(UN Plaza's American and UN flags at half-staff. Credit: MPetrelis, Gays Without Borders.)

(Heidi Beeler of the SF L/G Freedom Band plays "Taps" as Old Glory descends down the flag pole. Credit: Dan F. Nicoletta.)

(The UN flag flies at half-staff. Credit: Dan F. Nicoletta.)

Gays Without Borders earlier today attracted a crowd of 25-30 San Francisco civic leaders and activists from the LGBT community to United Nations Plaza, to stage our fifth annual action for International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

The following people spoke about global gay issues and called for additional American advocacy regarding LGBT at home and abroad:

- Brendan Behan, Executive Director of SF Pride
- David Campos, Member of the Board of Supervisors
- Clinton Fein, Political artist and activist
- Veronika Cauley Fimbres, African-American trans advocate
- Michael Petrelis, Person living with AIDS
- Melanie Nathan, Lesbian blogger and activist
- Christina Olague, Member of the Board of Supervisors
- Mark Snyder, Spokesperson for Transgender Law Center
- Amy Whelan, Attorney for National Center for Lesbian Rights
- Gary Virginia, Executive Committee Member of Gays Without Borders

We also had Heidi Beeler of the SF Lesbian and Gay Freedom Band play "Taps" on her trumpet, and community documentarian Ken Hodnett tape the whole thing and create an incredibly moving video showing our solidarity activism.

Our action consisted of thirty-minutes of moving speeches and showing visibility, before our friends Miguel and John from the Department of Public Works lowered the flags.

The flags are flying at half-staff for 24-hours in remembrance of all the LGBT people murdered or bashed since IDAHO 2011.

My deepest gratitude to everyone who showed up today or helped make IDAHO 2012 in San Francisco a reality and our best IDAHO action yet.

And on behalf of all the folks who came out to UN Plaza this afternoon, I extend a hearty salute to the brave LGBT around the world who staged their own IDAHO events. We look forward to reading reports, seeing vids and photos about all the fabulous actions that took place today beyond America's border.

Until IDAHO 2013, solidarity and peace to all! Here's our video:

BAR: San Francisco & the World
Ready for May 17 IDAHO Actions

Heather Cassell, who writes a column about global gay issues for the Bay Area Reporter, has written a terrifically comprehensive story about IDAHO for tomorrow's print edition which is up on their site tonight. I spoke with Heather, thanked her for this article, requested permission to reprint it in full here, and she said yes.

On the eve of IDAHO 2012, I wish to express my deep and genuine gratitude to everyone in San Francisco who has helped organized our local action and will participate tomorrow, and offer best wishes to all our LGBT colleagues and friends around the world who are staging their own events.

From the BAR:

San Francisco LGBT activists will stand in solidarity with individuals around the world by lowering the United Nations flag in honor of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia today (Thursday, May 17).

The ceremony will be held at United Nations Plaza at noon. Activists will join thousands of LGBT individuals and allies hosting actions online and in the streets to raise awareness about homophobia and transphobia.

Gay Supervisor David Campos, who led the effort to host the first city-sponsored IDAHO event, will keynote the local action. Campos worked with members of Gays Without Borders to circumvent bureaucratic red tape and to organize the first formal event at the U.N. Plaza, said Michael Petrelis, a member of the global queer activist group.

Community leaders, including Amy Whelan, attorney for the National Center for Lesbian Rights; Brendan Behan, executive director of San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee; and Veronika Cauley Fimbres, an African American transgender advocate, will remember LGBT people who have experienced atrocities within the past year, said Petrelis.

Some of the incidents include: the transgender individuals who have been repeatedly abused and murdered without justice in Turkey; the young gay Chilean man murdered by neo-Nazis; the murdered gay youths in Iraq; and the lesbians found murdered in Thailand, Petrelis said.

While there have been great strides, particularly within the past week with Argentina's landmark gender identity bill and Chile's anti-discrimination law passing, Petrelis said IDAHO is to memorialize those lost.

Lowering of the U.N. and American flags are a symbolic gesture, sending the message that "we haven't forgotten how we still have a long way to go before we achieve true equality for LGBT people across the world," Campos wrote in an email.

In San Francisco the LGBT community has accomplished a lot in regards to protecting LGBT rights, Campos wrote, but he believes, "it's critical for us to remember that homophobia and transphobia not only still remain a problem in our city and country but are prevalent in other parts of the world. It's important for we in the LGBT community in San Francisco to stand in solidarity with our LGBT brothers and sisters abroad who still face discrimination and violence, even death, because of their sexual orientation and gender identity."

San Francisco's upcoming Pride Parade has the theme of "Global Equality," noted Behan.

"In some ways San Francisco has been so deeply involved with the global movement around LGBT rights and in other ways there are certain elements ... that we could do more to be more practically involved in the international struggle," said Behan, who believes that San Franciscans have an "opportunity" to be "more present in the global struggle to fight homophobia and to fight transphobia."

U.N. Plaza is a poignant setting for the fifth San Francisco IDAHO event and the first one supported by the city, Petrelis noted. He pointed to the U.N.'s historic actions within the past two years on behalf of LGBT individuals around the world and the fact that the U.N. was originally chartered in San Francisco.

"It made sense to use the plaza and the flag there to commemorate, remember, [and] honor all of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans people killed in the past year," said Petrelis.

IDAHO organizers hope more U.S. cities will take the opportunity the day provides to open a window to the rest of the world, said Joel Bedos, an IDAHO committee member, speaking to the Bay Area Reporter by phone from France.

"This day provides a fantastic opportunity for having an insight into what happens around the world," said Bedos.

IDAHO started in 2003 as National Day Against Homophobia in Quebec, Canada by Louis-Georges Tin, a French black and LGBT rights activist and professor.

A year later his initiative was turned into an international call for action on May 17 to commemorate the World Health Organization's removal of homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.

In 2005, an estimated 24,000 people and organizations around the world participated in the first official IDAHO. In the years following, IDAHO added transphobia to its title, but retained its original acronym, and is run by a nearly 35-member advisory board represented by countries around the world. Events range from online discussions to protests and rallies, he said.

This year's campaign theme is focused on bullying, Bedos said.

Every year more countries, like Burma, which is celebrating for the first time this year, are joining IDAHO events, said Bedos. Unfortunately, some countries, like Malaysia, are refraining from hosting an event due to security concerns as the country continues to struggle with LGBT rights, reported Gay Star News.

IDAHO is unique in the fact that it allows people no matter where they are in the world or their level of acceptance or acknowledgement to openly discuss the human rights of LGBT people.

The organization encourages and works closely with embassies around the world that raise the rainbow flag for IDAHO. Bedos said the committee hopes IDAHO will "break the habit of homophobia" and realize how deeply connected and rooted it is to other forms of oppression. It is his dream that IDAHO will bring individuals and countries to beyond the borders of their communities and nations, sexual orientation and gender identity, ethnicity and race to truly come together globally.

"We would like IDAHO to become the international LGBT solidarity day," he said. Behan couldn't agree more and said that the "fight for LGBT rights needs to go beyond our urban enclaves our major cities," pointing out that there are lessons to learn and teach about the LGBT movement around the world.

For more information, visit http://www.dayagainsthomophobia.org/-IDAHO-english,41-.