Spearheaded by Fondation Émergence, and for the first time in the world, a theme-day set aside for the fight against homophobia was organised in Québec on June 4, 2003, and designated as the “National Day Against Homophobia” (see Archive). With the help of its partners, Fondation Émergence then strove to have this annual day take place on a pan-Canadian level. What’s more, countries such as Belgium, France and United-Kingdom caught on to the idea and set up similar events.
Towards an International Day
The next step left was to steer the initiative toward the international level. This effort was accomplished with the involvement of a number of countries who worked to spread the idea and who proposed that May 17 should become the World Day Against Homophobia or the International Day Against Homophobia, known by the abbreviation IDAHO.
Declaration of Montréal
Held in Montréal over the summer of 2006, the first World Outgames was the opportunity for hosting the most significant international conference on LGBT human rights organised to date. This conference ended with the adoption of the “Declaration of Montréal”, whose final recommendation(read aloud at the Outgames opening ceremony by Ms. Martina Navrátilová) “call[s] on all the countries in the world, and the United Nations, to recognise and promote the 17th of May of each year as the International Day Against Homophobia.” Fondation Émergence was the driving force behind this recommendation adopted by the International Conference on LGBT Human Rights. The Declaration of Montréal will be submitted to authorities of both the United Nations and national governments to rally unwavering support for respecting LGBT rights.
International Day Against Homophobia
Fondation Émergence promotes the International Day Against Homophobia held on May 17 and encourages organisations and individuals to highlight this event in their environment.
Other headings in this section: