IDAHO- Belize Plans

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PRESS RELEASE

May 15, 2012

Belize City—Belize commemorates the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) on Thursday, May 17th with social media advocacy and events commemorating the day. The was chosen because of WHO’s removal of homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses on May 17, 2005.The day is symbolic of the improvement of the status of gay persons, and advances in the fight against homophobia and was done in over 80 countries in 2011.

Purple is the color of hope, the optimism of LGBT persons that they will one day live in a world free of homophobia. Over time, purple has come to represent a cause embraced by over 25,000 persons world wide.

On May 17, supporters of UniBAM and the We Are One in Human Rights Campaign will be gathering at local restaurants in Belize City and wearing purple in a show of solidarity against, homophobia, violence against gay persons, and all forms of discrimination in Belize.

Media representatives are invited to join supporters of the cause at a luncheon to be held at the Smokey Mermaid Restaurant from 12 pm – 2 pm, in commemoration of the Day. Kindly RSVP in advance to unibambusiness@gmail.com.

International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) Appeal
Homophobia manifests itself in Belize in many ways, ranging from very subtle to violent and deadly.  Discrimination in the workplace or at school, bullying, disownment by family, violent attacks, and most tragically even homicides DO occur in Belize as a direct result of homophobia.    

On May 17th I will be making a simple statement to show my support to wipe out homophobia in Belize.  On this day I will change my facebook status to include the word IDAHO.  This is the acronym for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia. 

Belize is a country of people of diverse beliefs and opinions.  However, I believe we as a nation stand against ALL forms of discrimination, especially any discrimination that leads to violence or puts our Belizean brothers and sisters at risk.

I am asking you to join me on May 17th to put the word IDAHO on your facebook status to show Belize that you are concerned about homophobia.  I am not asking you to support gay rights, or gay marriage, or make a faith-based statement about homosexuality.  We are all entitled to our own personal beliefs, but as Belizeans I hope we all agree that discrimination in any form has no place in a free and just society. 

Finally, please share this message with your friends so they may also join us in standing up against homophobia on Thursday, May 17!

 Laura Smith Of PASMO Belize
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onae--dFnAQ 

Dinner with Supporters
http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=22476http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=22476

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