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It is important to make concrete efforts to counter homophobia. The human effort to do so is exactly what creates change and enables mentalities to evolve. The International Day Against Homophobia is the perfect opportunity to make such efforts. Fondation Émergence wishes to be abreast of any initiatives taken. Simply fill out the form and return it to us at Fondation Émergence.
Raising the Rainbow Flag
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.
- 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)
- Model motion to proclaim the International Day Against Homophobia (Word)
Here are some initiatives that people can take within their environment:
- Teachers and Instructors
Teachers and instructors can find on this website ways to participate. The Teaching Tools section offers various pedagogical tools with which teachers can create and organize classroom activities.
- Schools and School Boards
May 17 will be an exceptional moment to:
- prohibit discrimination against, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-identified students, as well as students who are harassed due to perceptions of their gender identity or sexual orientation. More information (Word);
- organise activities at school and in the classroom. Fondation Émergence had also put forward a project for 2005 and 2006: Ten Minutes at Ten O'clock Against Homophobia;
- inviting a guest speaker, hanging posters, etc. See Taking action in schools.
- Parents
It's the right moment to let their children know that from now on slurs such as “fag(got)”, “dike”, “homo” and any other derogatory remarks toward gays and lesbians will no longer be tolerated at home and that they will have to eliminate these words once and for all from their vocabulary out of respect for gays and lesbians and their immediate families.
- Libraries
Clearly displaying books on homophobia.
- Employers
To set up programs against homophobia in the workplace.
- Trade unions
To organize awareness activities in the workplace.
- Community groups
To heighten awareness among their constituencies.
- Broadcasters
To present special reports and documentaries on the subject.
- Newspapers
To publish reports and in-depth articles on the subject.
- Radio station
To call upon artists and personalities to speak on the subject, and to play songs about tolerance.
- Internet diffusers
To take out or to refuse any homophobic content.
- Gays and lesbians who wish to do so
To “come out” of the closet.
- Legislators, governments, municipalities and school boards
To approve a motion in support of the International Day Against Homophobia, and to make a commitment to fight homophobia. Download the draft for proposed motion (Word).
- The general public
To make a symbolic gesture. |