Outside US, World Stands Up May 17 Against Bigotry

[Shana A]

Outside US, World Stands Up May 17 Against Bigotry
Published: Friday, May 14, 2010 2:36 PM CDT
BY DOUG IRELAND

http://www.gaycitynews.com/articles/2010/05/14/gay_city_news/news/doc4bec4ed327127176220029.txt

On May 17, in hundreds of cities all over the planet, on all continents, there will be a wide range of events marking this year's observation of the annual International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). But not in the United States, where — inexplicably — our national LGBT organizations continue to refuse to join hands with our queer sisters and brothers abroad who are fighting to achieve the right to love that we, in America, have increasingly come to take for granted.

May 17 was chosen as the International Day Against Homophobia because it marks the anniversary of the day in 1993 when the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. IDAHO has become a catalyst for LGBT organizing in many nations.

[tekla]

our national LGBT organizations continue to refuse to join hands with our queer sisters and brothers abroad who are fighting to achieve the right to love that we, in America, have increasingly come to take for granted.

May 17 was chosen as the International Day Against Homophobia because it marks the anniversary of the day in 1993 when the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.

Our national LGBT organizations have been holding rallies and parades based on a different date, one with far more meaning to us,^* long, long, long before these people came up with this.  This year in SF the theme for Pride day is: 40 and Fabulous.

* - and the date we choose to use is a date when we started to stand up for ourselves, not some date that a bunch of doctors did something.