International Day Against Homophobia 2011

In a world that contains the horror that is Uganda's treatment of its LGBT citizens, there are uplifting and bright shining examples of solidarity against ignorance and hatred and for full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of their societies and cultures. One of those is the upcoming day celebrated round the globe against homophobia.

The International Day Against Homophobia, held on May 17, is a rallying event offering an opportunity for people to get together and reach out to one another. The International Day started in Quebec, Canada, in 2003 and has become the premier day on which to speak out for LGBT people and their rightful place in the societies and cultures in which they live, work, and worship.

Known internationally as IDAHO (for its initials, not a reference to the U.S. state), this day is now celebrated in countries across the globe. Fondation Emergence, a Canadian non-profit organization, has been the spearhead and champion for this day at the nation-level and with authorities at the United Nations. You can glean information about the international day and ideas of ways to get involved from their website, http://www.homophobiaday.org/.

from homophobiaday.org

Philip Moeller, LC/NA Director of International Programs, will be a panelist on May 17th at the World Bank in Washington, DC, for a discussion of the effects of homophobia on development in nations. Other panelists are Mark Bromley, Council for Global Equality; Leonardo E. Sánchez, Amigos Siempre Amigos; Val Kalende, a Ugandan LGBT rights advocate; Jaevion Nelson, a Jamaican human rights advocate; David Wilson, World Bank.

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, in an address to the Human Rights Council this year, said, "We must reject persecution of people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, who may be arrested, detained or executed for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. I understand that sexual orientation and gender identity raise sensitive cultural issues. But cultural practice cannot justify any violation of human rights. When our fellow humans are persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, we must speak out. Human rights are human rights everywhere, for everyone."

As Christians, Lutherans, and people advocating for the full inclusion of LGBT Lutherans in the life of their church, we know the seriousness of the struggle for equality, we share the joys of steps towards full inclusion in both the religious and secular aspects of our societies, and we are fully aware that many LGBT people on this earth face terrible oppression, hatred, violence, and even death at the hands of their fellow citizens, fellow Christians, and families, with little or no protection by their governments and, in some cases, perpetration by their governments.

Spare a moment in prayer this May 17th for all those LGBT people and their supporters in the world who live in places and cultures that deny that they are human beings, God's children and worthy of respect and equality.

In coming years we will alert you to the approach of this day, to allow you to consider how you might like to mark the day.