In only 7 days thousands of advocates and LGBT allies form around the world will celebrate the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia in an attempt to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBT people internationally. As part of GLAAD's Global Voices program, which works to accelerate LGBT acceptance across the globe, GLAAD will participate and celebrate IDAHOT together with thousands of diverse groups and individuals. As IDAHOT 2015 approaches, we give you 17 reasons, one every day, why May 17 matters. We invite you to create and share your own, via the hashtag #May17Because and amplify the voice for LGBT equality.
Rather than calling for a unified action, IDAHOT encourages people and organizations around the world, to join the campaign in their own way. As the celebrating sexual and gender diversities approaches, the plans for action are becoming more concrete. One of my favorite events will be held here in New York City. As part of its ongoing Free & Equal campaign, the United Nations Human Rights Office will release an inspiring new video, highlighting the diverse roles played by LGBTI people around the world. Featuring real people in their workplaces and homes, the video will be screened on the giant Reuters and NASDAQ screens in Times Square this May 14. To get you even more excited, our favorite straight ally-who-also-happens-to-be-UN-Secretary-General also makes a cameo appearance. To learn more about the upcoming events, visit the IDAHOT website.
Amid a surge of anti-gay violence and repression in several countries, the United Nations' human rights office launched its first global outreach campaign called Free & Equal to promote tolerance and greater equality for LGBT people in 2013. Based on the notion that as much as women, black and minority ethnic communities, indigenous peoples, migrants, people living with disabilities, people persecuted for their faith, spirituality or way of life, people living with HIV/AIDS, the poor and exploited, people laboring under unjust regime and subjects to global economic inequalities, and everyone everywhere suffering in a thousand different ways, LGBT people have the right to be treated equally and with dignity and respect. The UN Human Rights Office has created a video, The Riddle, which calls for change at the international level to protect the millions of people facing anti-LGBT violence and discrimination. You can watch the full video below.
#May17Because Rule #10: I refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice against LGBT people.