Week against Homophobia and Transphobia kicks off in Kyrgyzstan

“Week Against Homophobia and Transphobia – 2013” dedicated to the 17 May International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia will be organized in the capital of Kyrgyzstan. This day is celebrated all over the world with various education campaigns and events aimed on raising public attention to the problem of homophobia and transphobia as forms of hatred, discrimination and violence.
A series of activities under the “Week Against Homophobia and Transphobia – 2013” will take place in the period between 12 to 20 May. Several LGBT organizations of Kyrgyzstan with the support of ally organizations will be coordinating the events. All activities of the “Week” are aimed at raising awareness of the Kyrgyz society, LGBT communities and civil society of the country about the issues faced by the LGBT communities in Kyrgyzstan.
Series of public film screenings – “SPACE OF TOLERANCE” – is a cultural and educational event providing wide circles of society with opportunity to know more about the problems of one of the most vulnerable social groups – LGBT. The audience will learn about real stories of different people, whose personal examples can help in dealing with issues of discrimination and inequality based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression-base. The program includes two documentary films – Anyone and Everyone (2007, USA) and Freeheld (2007, USA).
Meetings between LGBT organizations, activists and civil society representatives – gender and human rights associations, volunteers of youth groups – are also planned as part of the “Week”. Another event, a plenary discussion on protection of rights of LGBT communities in Kyrgyzstan, will be held with participation of representatives of international organizations and diplomatic missions present in the country.
Trainings, discussions, several healthy lifestyle-themed sports activities and mass cultural events are also in store for representatives of the LGBT community from all over the country.
The “Week Against Homophobia and Transphobia” is organized by Kyrgyzstan-based LGBT organizations for the second year in a row, gathering several hundreds of people regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.