Fiji marks IDAHOT with numerous events ~ may17.org

Week-long celebrations to mark IDAHOT

The Drodrolagi Movement (droMo) marked the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) with a week of events that included rainbow-chalking driveways, a peace vigil, a documentary screening and discussion and a Pride Party.

Drodrolagi Movement is a community-based organization in Suva, Fiji whose mission is to create and celebrate a culture of equality, respect, dignity and pride for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community in Fiji.

The Movement stands against homophobia and transphobia, which is defined as the irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

“A person’s biological sex, what gender they identify as, how they express that identity and who they are attracted to can be as diverse and dynamic as a rainbow” said droMo’s spokesperson, Kris Prasad.

“IDAHOT is about encouraging people to see that these dimensions of a person’s identity should not be used to discriminate against them, or to rob them of their basic human dignity.”

This was the third year that droMo has commemorated IDAHOT and the week-long planned activities hope to encourage the community to educate themselves on sexual orientation and gender identity issues and to stand up against homophobia and transphobia in Fiji.

Program of the Events

Event : Rainbow Chalking

Date : Tuesday 14 May-Thursday 16 May

Time : 5.30pm

Location : Victoria Wines driveway; USP School of Governance and Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre

Description : Rainbow-chalking events will see locations around Suva come alive with the bright and bold colours of the international symbol for the LGBTIQ community, the rainbow.

Event : Peace Vigil

Date : Thursday 16 May

Time : 12.30pm-1.30pm

Location : Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral- Lady Chapel, Corner of Macarthur & Gordon Streets, Suva

Description : In collaboration with femLINKPACIFIC, a peace vigil will be held for members, families, friends and allies to remember lives lost due to homophobia and transphobia in Fiji and around the world.

Event : Documentary screening and discussion

Date : Friday 17 May

Time : 6.30pm- 9.30pm

Location : Fiji School of Medicine Pasifika Auditorium, Extension St, Suva

Description : An award-winning documentary filmed in Uganda titled Call Me Kuchu will be screened. The film examines the astounding courage and determination required to battle an oppressive government, a vicious media and a powerful church in the fight for LGBTIQ rights. An open-space discussion will follow the screening.

Event : Pride Party

Date : Friday 17May

Time : 9.30pm

Location : To be advised

Description : To round off the IDAHOT week, a Pride Party will be held directly after the film screening and discussion, with free entry for those attending the film event.

For further information or queries please contact Kris Prasad onDrodrolagi.Movement@gmail.com

Fiji marks IDAHOT with numerous events

Fiji marks IDAHOT with numerous events

WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE MOST EVENTS PLANNED SO FAR FOR MAY 17?.

FIRST OPENLY LESBIAN LATINA JUDGE APPOINTED TO FEDERAL COURT IN THE US.