The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the issues of discrimination, violence and prejudice towards LGBT people.

The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia is now celebrated in more than 100 countries, in all world regions and in places as diverse as Australia, Iran, Cameroon or Albania.

IDAHO is held in Israel since 2006, under the name HAVANA (הבנ"ה) which is the abbreviation for IDAHO in Hebrew, and also means “Understanding”.

Formal Clip IDAHO 2012 also appears in Hebrew:

In Israel there will be a number of events to commemorate the day:

Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Main event to commemorate Havana-IDAHO at the LGBT Center at 20:00 on May 17^th 2012.

The struggle against homophobia and transphobia is not just the concern/problem of the Gay community, it is in the interest of the society as a whole.

The event to commemorate IDAHO will include:

• An artistic program including a theatrical performance and the singer Rilli.
• Israeli and world clips dealing with the struggle against homophobia and transphobia.
• An award to the outstanding community volunteer.
• An award of recognition as "Yekir Hakehila".  Naomi Hernik and Zoharit Sorek were (enthusiastically) named as the 2012 laureates.

» Event invitation and schedule (in Hebrew).

Tel Aviv – Jaffa, “Homophobia, transphobia – not in our house” – Moran Zafrir Seminar and Prize awarding

 Thursday, May 17^th, 13:30 – 18:30.

The seminar in honor of the late Moran Zafrir – In conjunction with “Hoshen”, the Ministry of Education, the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Academic College, Israel Gay Youth (IGY) and Havana, are organizing this seminar for the second year running during which prizes will be awarded for outstanding work in the struggle against homophobia and transphobia.

The seminar will include lectures about homophobia and transphobia different aspects and the challenges which we face in the struggle against them in the education system, and workshops on how to deal with the phenomenon.  Prizes will also be awarded to outstanding work in the subject.

» Event invitation and schedule (in Hebrew).

Tel Aviv – Jaffa, The Struggle in the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) for the rights of LGBT

18:00 on May 16^th, 2012, Tel Aviv University

A Panel on the subject:  The Fight in the Knesset against homophobia and transphobia, and for equal rights for LGBT.  Members of Parliament Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz Party) and Nino Abesadze (Kadima Party) will arrive at the discussions immediately after presenting their suggestion for a law in favor of equal rights in marriage for all.

Nino and Nizan, both of whom were journalists before turning to politics, have recently come to the forefront in the struggle in the Knesset on behalf of the LGBT community.

Explanation Stands of the IDAHO

Fliers, stickers and pins will be distributed at this stands, to heighten awareness in commemoration of IDAHO.  Stands will be manned in Tel Aviv, 2 in Beer Sheva and at the Tel Hai College.

Herzlia, Seminar on “Homophobia among the Youth”

09:00 on May 16^th, 2012, Tel Aviv University

During Education Week, a youth seminar will take place, conducted by “Hoshen” – the Education Arm of the LGBT community – in conjunction with the Herzlia Council.  The seminar will deal with various expression of homophobia, and patience and recognition of the variance of sexual orientation and gender identity in Israeli society.

 During the seminar a new program will be presented which is intended for 7^th and 8^th grade students.

“I also am Gay Friendly’ Group – Youth Project

A new youth group called the ‘National Youth Council for LGBTs’ ("MAN-IG") began a campaign amongst the Israeli youth, to identify with the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.

During this campaign, members of the group photographed many youth – their school friends and also chance passers by – holding placards stating ‘I also am Gay Friendly’ and ‘Down with Homophobia’.

This campaign has been produced also as a short videoclip to the sound of Blur's song "Boys and Girls". Watch the video clip:

In addition, the group produced a home movie entitled ‘Am I forbidden to be a Homo?’  The movie was written and directed by Aileen Weiss, and Santiago Binyiman Hause and Yigal Weiss (Aileen’s father) were the stars.

The movie depicted the story of Yonatan, who discovers his sexual orientation which are also uncovered by chance by his friends.  What will his father’s reaction be when he realizes that his son is a homo?

Watch the movie (In Hebrew):

The Roving Exhibition ‘This is My Story’

This is an exhibition of photographs depicting about 20 photos of “Hoshen” volunteers in intimate and private moments, photographed by photographers Pnina Neuman, Louise Green and Galit Traeger.

The exhibition accompanies various events at the Tel Hai Convention, Seminars entitled ‘Homphobia amongst the Youth’ and ‘Homophobia, Transphobia – not in our House’, and the convention ‘Homophobia amongst the Security workforce’.

Educational Meeting of Youth in Haifa 

17th May 2012 at 17:00
The youth movement group “Machanot Haolim” as a movement which has engraved on its flag the struggle for equality for all, celebrates this year the IDAHO Day, the second year with an educational gathering of youth on the subject of the struggle against homophobia.  Taking part at this gathering will be many youth from various Haifa youth movements, and they will undergo training by leaders of the youth movement at a exhibition dealing with homophobia in Israeli society and especially prepared by the Neve Shaanan group.

Issues regarding Medical Treatment and Health of Transgenders in Israel

17th May 2012 at 12:15, Tel Aviv University.
“Space of Our Own” hosts a panel on the subject:  Issues regarding Medical Treatment and Health of Transgenders in Israel.

The medical system has a great influence on the lives of transgenders in Israel. Members of the panel, a group of interdisciplinary writers, will deliberate on the various aspects in the attitude of the state and the medical establishment towards gender crossing and the transgender population – beginning with how transgenders are depicted in the Israeli media, the Ministry of Health policy and the outlook on which it is based, experiences of transgenders with the Israeli medical system and the effects this has on the psychological health of transgenders in Israel. Moderator:  Dr. Iris Rachamimov

LGBT Rights March – May 10^th

 In spite of the absence of support from the Rishon Le Zion Council, the third LGBT Rights March was held in Rishon Le Zion.

ב-17 במאי יצוין בארץ ובעולם היום הבינ"ל נגד הומופוביה וטרנספוביה !

אירועי הבנ"ה / IDAHO יעמדו השנה בסימן מאבק בהומופוביה וטרנספוביה במערכת החינוך ודרך החינוך. 

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