Swedish activists held a “skål” and a discussion to commemorate IDAHO 2012. There was also a screening of the IDAHO video and of the UN Secretary General’s LGBT speech at the UN Human Rights Council. There were also examples from...

Activists in the United Arab Emirates commemorated IDAHO 2012 with a message of hope and an appeal for dialogue and change. “I hope that LGBT people in the U.A.E. will soon no longer have to live in fear, I hope...

Moroccan activists launched a national campaign to repeal Article 489, which criminalizes same-sex relationships.

On a continent where the mobilisation against homophobia and transphobia is particularly difficult, Cameroonian activists boldly developed a large program of action in the city of Yaoundé, including a workshop for LGBT activists, a public conference with thematic forums, and...

The main IDAHO event in Finland in 2012 was a seminar organized in Helsinki in the gay restaurant dtm on May 16th (as May 17th was a national holiday). The event was organized by Seta – LGBTI Rights in Finland...

Imbarco Immediato, an LGBT organization in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, has created a Facebook page called “Mi piace dire no all’omofobia” (I like saying no to homophobia) and is inviting supporters to click on the “I like” icon on...

Turin’s Red Chamber in the City Palace played host to IDAHO 2012 celebrations for the first time. This is the historic chamber in which the City Council holds its assembly sessions, and was conducted before an assembly of politicians, LGBT...

Traditionally, IDAHO mobilisations are strong in France, where the Day has been celebrated since it was officially launched back in 2005. This year again, the IDAHO was a great success in France. Hundreds of events, in more than 40 cities,...

Dutch Embassies around the world have been particularly active in supporting IDAHO events, giving thereby a strong concrete expression to the official recognition of the Day by the Dutch Parliament back in 2005. Dutch authorities, but also LGBT organisation COC, gave...

Activists organized a workshop in Budapest on transphobia in the LGB community to highlight the lack of attention facing the transgender community. Nine Hungarian LGBT organizations were invited to discuss the issues, with the goal of finding solutions to the...

Activists in the Philippines held a range of events to mark IDAHO 2012. Two training seminars were held in Manila: The first, in conjunction with the Commission on Human Rights and the US Embassy in Manila, was a three-day workshop entitled “If...

To commemorate IDAHO 2012, Leow Yangfa – editor of the e-book “I Will Survive: Personal Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Stories in Singapore” – gave away 30 free copies of his book, which gives an insight into LGBT issues in...

UNESCO Bangkok produced a short film in English and Thai highlighting the challenges faced by LGBT students and practical steps that have been taken in schools in Thailand to promote healthy, safe learning environments for all. Several OpEds marked the...

A range of events were held throughout the US to mark IDAHO 2012. In recognition of IDAHO, the US Department of State informed all of its missions around the world about the Day and provided them with best practices related...

Activists in Berlin once again organized their annual Kiss Marathon and benefit party. Under the motto “Protect every kiss!”, the Kiss Marathon took place at locations at which it is not easy for open gays, lesbians and transgender people. With...

Japan – 7th IDAHO Observed Different Projects in More than 10 Cities throughout the Country Report from Azusa Yamashita, Co-director of Gay Japan News and IDAHO Committee member from Japan This year, Japan’s IDAHO campaign marked 7th year since its...

In all, 20 of Brazil’s 27 provinces held IDAHO activities in 2012. These activities included marches against homo/transphobia, rallies, seminars, public hearings at local parliaments, film screenings, and advocacy pushing for local non-discrimination legislation. Brazilian activists also joined the international...

Activists based at the University of Witwatersrand have been mentoring young LGBT people in campaign-building around the issues that affect them. As a result, students put together a comprehensive campaign for IDAHO 2012 which included a silent protest at University...

An unprecedented level of action took place in the UK to commemorate IDAHO 2012, involving a host of high-profile people and a range of organizations, from city councils and trade unions to schools and universities. British Foreign Office Minister Jeremy...

A coalition of activists in Greece organized a range of events to commemorate IDAHO 2012, including a press conference on the traditionally homophobic Greek media and how it handles LGBTQ issues, the ways it impacts on the community, and ways...

Activists in Kenya instigated public dialogue among Kenyans on the issues of sexual and gender diversity. It was hoped that the conversations would serve to dispel negative myths and beliefs about the LGBT community in Kenya and reinforce a safe...

A coalition of South Korean activists commemorated IDAHO 2012 with a call for attention to the situation facing LGBT people in the country with the slogan “Equal Love and Equal Human Beings”. According to the activists, homophobia is no longer...

More than 500 people from Turkey, Russia, Hungary, Norway, Germany, Peru, Spain and the US, as well as Iranian refugees and members of the local LGBT community, took part in a march against homophobia and transphobia to Sakarya Square in...

Candles were lit and one minute of silence observed as a show of support for people living with HIV/AIDS. Activists also conducted media interviews and brandished rainbow-colored flags and slogans. People were also encouraged to post messages online.

A flash mob was held in the capital Riga in which floating flowers of all colors were set adrift on the Daugava River. The gesture represented the importance of the LGBT community in Riga and all over Latvia.

Activists in Spain launched the project “Lo soy/I am” to demand respect for, and claim the image of, transgender women in Central America. The awareness campaign has the slogan: “Do not look like a woman, I am.” The initiative included...

In marking IDAHO 2012, Governor Ric Todd announced that the laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands would be reviewed for any that discriminate against people based on their sexuality, and a diversity policy would be implemented to prevent discrimination...