International Day
Against Homophobia observed worldwide

Nations around the world celebrated the second annual International Day Against Homophobia, or IDAHO, on Wednesday, launched last year by the International Lesbian and Gay Association. The event is held on May 17 to mark the date when the general assembly of the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in 1990.

In 2005, IDAHO was celebrated in more than 40 countries, from France to China. The observance included a variety of actions, which received widespread media coverage. In Iran, in spite of the government's homophobia, IDAHO was mentioned on numerous blogs and in thousands of e-mails. In Kiev, Ukraine, a huge balloon carrying the message "Say No to Homophobia" was let loose.

This year activists in Japan delivered letters to embassies of countries with antigay policies. Gays rallied in Nepal, held a conference in Jersalem, and organized protests throughout Latin America and Europe.

"We acknowledge all the positive achievements by the European institutions to make homophobia in Europe a thing of the past," said Patricia Prendville, executive director for the ILGA of Europe. "But we also need to issue the reminder that there is a lot of work that still needs to be done." (The Advocate)