Green Group leader celebrates LGBT Life to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)

 

Brighton & Hove’s new Green Group Council leader, Phélim Mac Cafferty, and the Green Member of Parliament for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas, will join the ‘Celebration of LGBT Life’ event on Sunday 17th May, to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

Cllr. Mac Cafferty said:

“We’ve made incredible progress in this city and in this country, which makes a day of celebration like this so important.

“Discrimination and violence for the LGBT Communities is too often routine both here and abroad. In our city, in 2014/15 there were 141 Homophobic Incidents and Crimes and 22 Transphobic Incidents and Crimes recorded by the police. That is 163 incidents too many and is a striking reminder why we seek to recognise International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

He added:

“The Green Party Councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council have worked relentlessly for the last 4 years seeking tangible change and a fairer society for the LGBT Communities and will continue to do so in Opposition.

“I am deeply proud of our work in Brighton & Hove. For our work on combating homophobia and biphobia in the classroom, we were recognised in 2012 and again in 2014 by Stonewall as the top council in the country. We launched a toolkit for teachers to help deal with homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in the classroom. We have pushed for recognition of the prejudice facing the trans community and became the 1st council in the country to fly the bi-visibility flag.

“Housing has been identified as a key problem for the LGBT communities and because of our work the needs of LGBT people will be at the very heart of the city’s housing strategy for the next 4 years.”

“This affirms why, again, Greens will join in solidarity with the LGBT community here and abroad on this important day.”

Caroline Lucas and Phélim Mac Cafferty on a Stonewall march

A Celebration of LGBT Life will include:

  • Procession of the Rainbow Flag
  • A performance by The Rainbow Chorus
  • Poetry from Alice Denny
  • Live music with AJ Paterson
  • A minute’s ‘noise’ to remember the international victims of homo, bi and transphobic violence

Notes:

May 17th commemorates the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental diseases.

For more info visit: www.lgbt-help.com/events/idahobit

Most gay-friendly local authority: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/press-release/council-rated-most-gay-friendly-country

Press release re homophobic bullying: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/press-release/brighton-hove-named-top-council-tackling-homophobia-schools

 

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