gap announces anti-homophobia day

Source: GayNZ.com

May 16, 2006: The Wellington based network of gay and lesbian professionals (GAP) has thrown their support behind the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), to be observed around the world tomorrow, May 17. IDAHO has received little publicity in New Zealand, in spite of a strong track record of our government in recognising LGBT rights and their submissions made last year to the United Nations to recognise sexual orientation as “a status protected against discrimination.”

The European Parliament has endorsed IDAHO, and British politicians will observe a minute’s silence in reflection of thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people who are targeted for abuse and vilification around the world, still to this day. GAP believes New Zealanders and our government should continue to push for LGBT rights on the global stage, while continuing to stamp out homophobia, particularly prevalent in New Zealand schools.

“We in New Zealand can celebrate our legal rights… including recognition of our relationships, but GAP believes that we should support our brothers and sisters in other countries, who are often in terrible situations,” says Allan John Marsh of GAP.

GAP points out that homosexuality remains illegal in many countries, punishable in some cases by death. In Fiji, for example, homosexuals are still being arrested for consensual sex, despite the courts ruling this to be unconstitutional. Discrimination is on the increase in the United States, and around the world many right-wing religious fundamentalists oppose LGBT rights on the grounds they have the freedom of expression to disapprove of equal treatment.

In New Zealand, says GAP, homophobic bullying is rampant, with boys being labelled ‘sissies’ and girls ‘tomboys’. And transgender women and men continue to be abused or even beaten for their gender identity. We should unite to stamp out this behaviour in New Zealand, while being a positive influence for LGBT rights around the world, says GAP.

“While our situation is better, it is not perfect,” says Marsh, “discrimination still exists in many areas, like the extent of homophobic bullying in our schools. Attempts to deal with this and other issues are frequently weakened by the demands that ‘people have the right to disapprove.’ We believe that the exercise of that right of expression ignores the harm such attitude causes, especially to vulnerable young people. Every incident of homophobic violence against people who are seen as different is fuelled by hate speech.”

GAP hopes fair-minded New Zealanders will reflect on these issues, take steps to remedy the problems and unite with others around the world to make the International Day Against Homophobia an annual opportunity to make the world a safer place for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.