CESA raises awareness about May 17, International Day Against Homophobia
HSAs Committee on Equality and Social Action is encouraging HSA members to participate in the the International Day Against Homophobia by raising awareness about the day.
Spearheaded by Fondation Émergence, the first day set aside to fight homophobia was held in Québec in 2003. The Day has expanded across Canada and then to Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom. Since then several countries have declared May 17 as the International Day Against Homophobia.
The International Conference on LGBT Human Rights held in July 2006, in Montréal was the opportunity to adopt the Declaration of Montreal, which called on the United Nations to mark May 17 as International Day Against Homophobia on its international events calendar.
The slogan May 17, a day-to-day campaign states that the fight against homophobia requires constant work.
This annual event aims to make people aware of the devastating effects of homophobia, to impart a positive image to homosexuality and various sexual diversities, and to combat exclusion. Everyone should take part in their own way. This years theme is -Sexual Orientation is not a Choice". This year, the group has produced a poster, available on-line or through HSA by sending an email to @email,
Each year, organizers focus on a field of activity and have chosen education for 2007. May 17 is an appropriate moment to organize activities at school and in the classroom. The goal is to provide information, make people aware, and encourage all those involved in the education field to take part in this endeavour to fight homophobia in their own way.
The organizations website is an excellent source of additional information about the campaign and homophobia in general: http://www.homophobiaday.org/