Telus
-> Archive 2009 - Campaign
Theme: Homosexuality Knows No Borders
Goal: To make the general population and, more specifically, ethno-cultural communities of all backgrounds more aware of gay and lesbian issues, and sexual diversity.

Since its first edition in 2003, the International Day Against Homophobia has grown larger year by year. With this, May 17 has become the prime moment to remember that homophobia still exists and that we must combat it.

The proposed goal for the 2009 Campaign is to make the general population and, more specifically, ethno-cultural communities of all backgrounds more aware of gay and lesbian issues, and sexual diversity. Ethno-cultural communities occupy an increasingly significant place in our societies. What’s more, contributions by these communities are invaluable to our country.

Not all of the world’s citizens are able to enjoy the privilege of living in an egalitarian society. In several countries, rights, such as the right to love a person of the same sex and have sexual relations with that person, are limited or violated.

In other countries, sexual orientation is recognised, for the same reasons as practising a religion, as a basic freedom, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is illegal.

People from countries in which homosexuality is legally banned may have some of their own values challenged: what was prohibited in their country is allowed and legally protected in their host country.

Keeping in mind how homosexuality is a universal fact and that borders cannot be forced on it, the 2009 Campaign is aimed towards helping these people to become integrated within their host society and to make ethno-cultural communities aware of sexual diversity issues. In addition, LGBT people and their communities will benefit from their own community’s improved openness toward their issues.

Each year, the success of these campaigns is contingent upon the involvement of concerned people from all walks of life. Any initiative aiming at improving the lives of LGBT people is strongly encouraged. Promotional material for 2009 campaign will be available on March, 2009. You can order this material by filling out an order form in MS Word or PDF format that you can download from Free Items page.

May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, is a special time to act in a concrete manner to fight homophobia. From year to year, an increasing number of organizations and individuals are putting together a host of different initiatives. Close to 220 activities and 500 promotional undertakings have taken place in 2008 in Canada, such as posting messages in public places, and organizing special events. Refer to the page How to get involved.

For more details on the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17 see:

FAQ on May 17

Are you in search of ideas to organize an activity or to make a meaningful gesture? Get inspiration from the activities organized in 2008 by different groups. Use teaching tools developed by specialists. Refer also to the page Taking Action in Schools.

Keep us informed!

Keep us informed of your activities! We will publicize them on our web site.

Form (Word)

The fight against homophobia requires each and everyone in their communities to get involved. Here are a few examples of efforts that can be made:

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Posters and Pamphlets
Hang a poster and provide pamphlets.

 

 

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Internet Banner
Post an International Day Against Homophobia banner on websites.

 

 

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Email Distribution Lists
Send out emails for the annual campaigns against homophobia.

 

 

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Resolution of Support
Ask your municipal or regional board to pass a resolution supporting the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17.
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Model motion (Word)
- Model letter (Word)

 

 

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Activities
Organise activities, seminars or conferences on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and transsexual (LGBT)issues in your field or community.

 

 

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Speaking Out on Anti-LGBT Behaviour
Report anti-LGBT language and incidents, lodge a complaint with the appropriate organisations, and keep Fondation Émergence informed.

 

 

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The Media
The fight against homophobia needs to reach all communities. The media can contribute if you suggest reports and viewers’ letters, opinion pieces and blogs, and if you invite the media to organised events.

 

 

 

See more examples of
how to participate

Get involved in the nationwide plan to raise the Rainbow Flag on May 17 for the International Day Against Homophobia. Wherever there’s a flagpole, you can fly a Rainbow Flag. The Rainbow Flag is the world’s most recognised symbol of LGBT diversity. Created by San Francisco based artist Gilbert Baker, the Rainbow Flag was first used in 1978 at Gay Pride in San Francisco. The six colours represent various facets of LGBT communities: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for art, and violet for spirituality.

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Model letter to municipal board or bourough council to request the Rainbow Flag be raised and for a motion to proclaim the International Day Against Homophobia (Word)

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Model motion to proclaim the International Day Against Homophobia (Word)

 

2009 Edition

 

 

International Day Against Homophobia - May 17th


SPONSORS
 

Gouvernement du Québec Desjardins Telus National Bank - Financial Group

PARTNERS
 
Hôtel Travelodge Société de Développement Commercial du Village Arrondissement de Ville-Marie (Ville de Montréal) Centrale des syndicats du Québec Public Service Alliance of Canada Confédération des syndicats nationaux
Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec Syndicat de la fonction publique du Québec Canadian Union of Public Employees Fédération autonome de l’enseignement Fugues XTRA!
Têtu Le Devoir Egale Canada PFLAG Canada Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity
PRIDE house.ca Équipe Montréal The 519 Church Street Community Centre International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association CAEO Québec SOS-Homophobie Pink Pages Roses
Vision Diversité Coalition des familles homoparentales Gai Écoute Coalition Multimondo Qmunity
Franco Queer GLBT Québec / Lutte à l’homophobie Conseil québécois des gais et lesbiennes The Tolerance Foundation International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Québec Lesbian Network Center for Research-Action on Race Relations
Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse Chambre de commerce gaie du Québec Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation et des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec Ordre professionnel des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec
Fondation Émergence

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