Latest news with #Biphobia
Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
A great day to battle bigotry in Kahnawake
It would have been difficult to ask for a nicer day for an event than last Friday's sunny summer-like weather, making it the perfect day for Kahnawake Shakotiia'takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) to host its International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) outside the Service Complex. 'Today is such an awesome day. It's been a great turnout. We have beautiful weather, we have music, we have food. Everyone seems to be in very good spirits. I think it's been a wonderful event,' said Kyla Jacobs, KSCS's team leader of primary prevention. While IDAHOBIT was on Saturday, May 17, Jacobs said the event was on the Friday to allow schools to come by the event. Along with the Rezican truck, hot dogs, and drinks, were cookies that were LGBTQ+ themed, including different Pride flags, trans rainbows, and more – and all free of charge. There was also an educational component to the event, with KSCS booths that engaged with LGBTQ+ topics through games and trivia, as well as booths run by community groups from outside the community, including Jeunes Adultes Gai.e.s (JAG) and Project 10. Dawson Horne, a KSCS prevention worker, was in charge of coordinating the yearly event this year, doing so for the first time. 'As someone who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, it means so much to me that there's representation for Indigenous people who are part of this community,' said Horne. 'It warms my heart to see the amount of allies come out and to show their support in such a big way. It just means so much to me and to other people in this community.' Jacobs echoed Horne's sentiment in seeing the growth of support for LGBTQ+ events - and community members - in town. 'We have seen a lot of progress, but there still is work to be done, and we want to ensure that they feel recognized and included and supported,' said Jacobs. 'Kahnawake is a small community, but over the years, we've seen more and more support, and more and more people are attending events such as these. I just feel like it's such a great thing. We want to ensure a healthy community, and that includes everybody.' Horne said having outside resources come to Kahnawake to do some outreach was important for the event, to show community members who may need help that these organizations exist. 'We want to bridge the gap between the city and someone living across the Mercier Bridge, to make it a little bit easier for them to not only get knowledge, but to get services,' said Horne. Raphaël Leblanc ran the booth for JAG at the event, and they explained that while there are several different LGBTQ+ organizations in Montreal, that is not the case in Monteregie - it's just JAG, which has offices in Longueuil and St-Hyacinthe. They also said that outreach is important for JAG, as they are less known than other, larger Montreal-based organizations, and that JAG is not just for homosexual men. 'It's very, very important for us to so that we are known and people know that we exist and that we do so many different things,' said Leblanc. They said that that help includes referring people to other organizations if needed, or resources in their area that could help them on the South Shore instead of on-island, for example. Leblanc said that staying informed and well educated on LGBTQ+ rights and happenings remains very important, as bigotry continues to be on the rise in 2025, particularly online but also politically in places like the United States. 'One of the things that's been obvious is the rise in homophobia and transphobia, especially within younger men, and it often comes from these echo chambers online and this bubble of misinformation and disinformation. 'I just think it's important for us to have proper discussions on what is fact and what is feeling. Because I feel like today, we mix one with the other. We should be able to discuss it and to not have to debate if LGBTQ+ people exist,' they said, giving as an example the erasure and persecution of trans people in the United States and the United Kingdom. Horne said that no matter what, LGBTQ+ people are not going away, nor should they be forced to hide themselves. 'I just want to continue to reiterate that whatever is going on politically, whether it's good or bad, the LGBTQ+ community will never go away, and we're always going to be strong, we're always going to be loud, and we're always going to continue to love, because at the end of the day, that's all, that's all we want,' said Horne. 'We just want acceptance. We want people to see us as regular human beings that just exist in this society. We want equality.' olivier@ Olivier Cadotte, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
HKFP
19-05-2025
- General
- HKFP
IDAHOBIT: Amid waning room for advocacy, Hong Kong LGBTQ groups cherish rare chance to raise awareness
Parts of Causeway Bay were transformed into a sea of rainbows on Saturday as the city's LGBTQ community marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Organised by NGO Gay Harmony, the event featured eight other groups, including an LGBTQ-friendly church and a small media outlet that focuses on reporting LGBTQ-related issues. The groups took turns giving short speeches outside the Sogo department store, while volunteers distributed flyers to passersby, from young couples to families with kids. Around the corner, at a booth run by NGO Pride Lab, passersby were asked to rate on a scale of one to six how LGBTQ-friendly their environment is. Metres away, people responded to a prompt set by Quarks, an NGO supporting transgender rights, asking how they took care of themselves when facing discrimination. They wrote their responses on Post-It notes clipped onto a board at the booth. 'Music. Make meals. See friends,' one note read. Another note said: 'Trans rights are human rights. One day we shall prevail.' Rarity in today's Hong Kong Events like Saturday's IDAHOBIT activities have become increasingly rare in Hong Kong, where space for advocacy has narrowed in recent years. Since the protests and unrest in 2019, followed by the Beijing-imposed national security law, dozens of civil society groups have shut down under pressure. While LGBTQ groups have not been specifically targeted, activists say it has become harder to host large-scale events. Gay Harmony founder Francis Tang said groups have had to change their methods of outreach in recent years. The last year the city saw a pride parade – which Tang also organised – was in 2018, and the group behind it now holds indoor bazaars to mark the date instead. 'We're not able to make as much noise anymore,' he said in Cantonese. One of the aims of LGBTQ events is to raise public awareness about sexual and gender diversity, Tang said. However, he acknowledged, 'There is a big difference in the number of people we are able to reach nowadays.' Gay Harmony organises activities to mark IDAHOBIT every year, but they scaled down the event in 2020. This year was the first time they invited other groups to take part. 'So far so good,' he said, adding that the process of receiving approval from government departments to host the public event was smooth. 'There have been no complaints, and the feedback seems good. We hope we can do this again.' Whilst same-sex sexual activity was legalised in 1991, Hong Kong has no laws to protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination in employment, the provision of goods and services, or from hate speech. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognised, although a 2023 survey showed that 60 per cent of Hongkongers support it. Despite repeated government appeals, courts have granted same-sex couples who married – or who entered civil partnerships – abroad some recognition in terms of tax, spousal visas, and public housing. Visibility matters With AI-generated images of Jesus delivering marriage vows to Chinese-looking gay couples, the booth run by the LGBTQ-friendly Blessed Ministry Community Church (BMCC) was perhaps the most eye-catching one on Great George Street. Volunteers chatted up passersby, bringing them to their booth and walking them through an activity about the relationship between Christianity and gender and sexual identity. The activity involved asking whether they had any LGBTQ+ friends, and if they believed those who identified as LGBTQ+ deserved to be blessed by the church when they found love. Jensen Yiu, head of social ministry at BMCC, said the event was a good opportunity for LGBTQ groups to gain visibility and interact with a larger cross-section of the public. He said there was value in running booths on the streets and passing out flyers to passersby – something they would not be able to do during enclosed events like Pink Dot. 'People who go to those kinds of events are probably already pro-LGBTQ,' he said in Cantonese. 'But on the streets, we have different people and some tourists come over.' Breaking taboos Fran and Gu – who declined to give their full names – had just finished some shopping at Muji nearby when the booths lining the street caught their eye. They said they did not know this event was happening but wanted to check it out. Both said they were straight, but that they followed news about LGBTQ rights in Hong Kong. They also said they had friends who were gay or lesbian and whose families were not supportive when they came out. Fran said he thought events like this could dispel preconceived notions about the LGBTQ community and normalise different types of sexual and gender identities. 'People may find that what it means to be LGBTQ is different from what they thought,' he said in Cantonese. 'That can increase public acceptance and make these topics less taboo, removing their labels.' Gu said she was aware that Pride Month was coming up in June, but did not have plans to go to any activities. 'But I would stop by if I saw them,' Gu added. Volunteering with Pride Lab on Saturday was social worker Jacinta Yu, who was wearing rainbow earrings and a T-shirt that read in Chinese, ''No offence' is not an excuse.' Yu said she treasured the chance to talk to people and educate them on LGBTQ topics. 'Some passersby said they don't think homosexuality is right. I respect that they have different views,' Yu said. 'But I hope everyone respects each other and does not discriminate.' This year's IDAHOBIT comes ahead of the government's October deadline to enact a framework to recognise same-sex partnerships, according to a landmark Court of Final Appeal verdict in September 2023. Tang, of Gay Harmony, said he was not aware of the government holding any consultations to gather public opinion. He said the group had written a paper suggesting what a framework could look like, but had no channels to submit it to the authorities. 'Lobbying has become harder now,' he said. Original reporting on HKFP is backed by our monthly contributors. Almost 1,000 monthly donors make HKFP possible. Each contributes an average of HK$200/month to support our award-winning original reporting, keeping the city's only independent English-language outlet free-to-access for all. Three reasons to join us: 🔎 Transparent & efficient: As a non-profit, we are externally audited each year, publishing our income/outgoings annually, as the city's most transparent news outlet. 🔒 Accurate & accountable: Our reporting is governed by a comprehensive Ethics Code. We are 100% independent, and not answerable to any tycoon, mainland owners or shareholders. 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Scoop
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Human Rights Commissioner Says The Cost Of Limiting Gender Rights Under Legislation will be people's lives
Press Release – Human Rights Commission International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17 is a global day to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of LGBTQIA+people. This year's theme is The power of communities. A sense of belonging and being part of a community are vital for each of us. Community is where we find support, understanding, and a sense of home. International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17 is a global day to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of LGBTQIA+people. This year's theme is 'The power of communities'. 'It is a reminder of the importance of connection and collective action when human rights are threatened. Rainbow people are part of every community and like everyone, often identify with more than one,' says Disability Rights Commissioner and Rainbow Rights spokesperson, Prudence Walker. 'Community support and advocacy can help create safe and accepting environments for everyone to live authentically, to be ourselves.' However, recent developments in Aotearoa and overseas raise concerns about increasing discrimination against some groups. 'Attacks on the rights of trans, non-binary, and intersex people internationally are having ripple effects here in Aotearoa. I don't believe that is who we are as a country. We have data that shows the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders believe that trans people should be protected from discrimination,' says Walker. 'The laws of other countries are not our laws. Those are not our values.' Trans and non-binary people in Aotearoa already experience disproportionately high levels of psychological distress due to discrimination, barriers to healthcare and threats to their safety. Legislation that threatens to limit rights about gender identity can compound this further, and will likely impact cis women, intersex people and children too. There will be particular impacts for Māori, Pasifika and other Indigenous peoples who have always had diverse expressions of gender and sexuality. Te Tiriti o Waitangi affirms the right of tangata whenua to uphold tino rangatiratanga over their sexuality, gender, gender expressions, and sex characteristics. Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner and Women's Rights spokesperson, Professor Gail Pacheco, says inclusion of trans women in the definition of 'woman' is not only protected under international human rights standards, but it's crucial for wellbeing. 'All people deserve to have a sense of belonging. The Commission acknowledges and celebrates the diversity of women in Aotearoa and the value and strength that diversity brings to our communities,' says Pacheco. The date of May 17 marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization's decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness. 'While we've come so far together since those dark days, even now many people still live in fear of existing as their authentic selves,' says Walker. 'We cannot go back to a time when discrimination against Rainbow people was normalised in legislation and in public attitudes. The cost is people's lives and it's unacceptable.' 'Trans, non-binary, and intersex people are taonga and have existed forever. They will continue to do so with the same rights as others, including to be free from discrimination, violence and abuse,' she adds. 'Communities can use their power to support everyone's sense of identity and belonging, and to speak out against harmful legislation. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to create a society that values inclusivity, equality, human rights, and lives of dignity for all.' Notes: • The Commission published a guide to 'Trans Rights and Human Rights' last year to help transgender people access this information • More data about trans and non-binary people's experiences can be found in the Counting Ourselves Health Survey. • The United Nations treaty body, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has made it clear that 'women', as that term is used in CEDAW, includes trans women, and accordingly, all the rights and protections in CEDAW extend to trans women. • While Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission can't make findings or decide if the law has been breached, it can help by providing information and support and in some cases can offer a dispute resolution process for complaints. If someone has experienced unlawful discrimination, they can make a complaint via our website or by contacting us on 0800 496 877 or infoline@
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Human Rights Commissioner Says The Cost Of Limiting Gender Rights Under Legislation will be people's lives
Press Release – Human Rights Commission International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17 is a global day to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of LGBTQIA+people. This year's theme is The power of communities. A sense of belonging and being part of a community are vital for each of us. Community is where we find support, understanding, and a sense of home. International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17 is a global day to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of LGBTQIA+people. This year's theme is 'The power of communities'. 'It is a reminder of the importance of connection and collective action when human rights are threatened. Rainbow people are part of every community and like everyone, often identify with more than one,' says Disability Rights Commissioner and Rainbow Rights spokesperson, Prudence Walker. 'Community support and advocacy can help create safe and accepting environments for everyone to live authentically, to be ourselves.' However, recent developments in Aotearoa and overseas raise concerns about increasing discrimination against some groups. 'Attacks on the rights of trans, non-binary, and intersex people internationally are having ripple effects here in Aotearoa. I don't believe that is who we are as a country. We have data that shows the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders believe that trans people should be protected from discrimination,' says Walker. 'The laws of other countries are not our laws. Those are not our values.' Trans and non-binary people in Aotearoa already experience disproportionately high levels of psychological distress due to discrimination, barriers to healthcare and threats to their safety. Legislation that threatens to limit rights about gender identity can compound this further, and will likely impact cis women, intersex people and children too. There will be particular impacts for Māori, Pasifika and other Indigenous peoples who have always had diverse expressions of gender and sexuality. Te Tiriti o Waitangi affirms the right of tangata whenua to uphold tino rangatiratanga over their sexuality, gender, gender expressions, and sex characteristics. Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner and Women's Rights spokesperson, Professor Gail Pacheco, says inclusion of trans women in the definition of 'woman' is not only protected under international human rights standards, but it's crucial for wellbeing. 'All people deserve to have a sense of belonging. The Commission acknowledges and celebrates the diversity of women in Aotearoa and the value and strength that diversity brings to our communities,' says Pacheco. The date of May 17 marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization's decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness. 'While we've come so far together since those dark days, even now many people still live in fear of existing as their authentic selves,' says Walker. 'We cannot go back to a time when discrimination against Rainbow people was normalised in legislation and in public attitudes. The cost is people's lives and it's unacceptable.' 'Trans, non-binary, and intersex people are taonga and have existed forever. They will continue to do so with the same rights as others, including to be free from discrimination, violence and abuse,' she adds. 'Communities can use their power to support everyone's sense of identity and belonging, and to speak out against harmful legislation. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to create a society that values inclusivity, equality, human rights, and lives of dignity for all.' Notes: • The Commission published a guide to 'Trans Rights and Human Rights' last year to help transgender people access this information • More data about trans and non-binary people's experiences can be found in the Counting Ourselves Health Survey. • The United Nations treaty body, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has made it clear that 'women', as that term is used in CEDAW, includes trans women, and accordingly, all the rights and protections in CEDAW extend to trans women. • While Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission can't make findings or decide if the law has been breached, it can help by providing information and support and in some cases can offer a dispute resolution process for complaints. If someone has experienced unlawful discrimination, they can make a complaint via our website or by contacting us on 0800 496 877 or infoline@
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Human Rights Commissioner Says The Cost Of Limiting Gender Rights Under Legislation will be people's lives
A sense of belonging and being part of a community are vital for each of us. Community is where we find support, understanding, and a sense of home. International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17 is a global day to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of LGBTQIA+people. This year's theme is 'The power of communities'. 'It is a reminder of the importance of connection and collective action when human rights are threatened. Rainbow people are part of every community and like everyone, often identify with more than one,' says Disability Rights Commissioner and Rainbow Rights spokesperson, Prudence Walker. 'Community support and advocacy can help create safe and accepting environments for everyone to live authentically, to be ourselves.' However, recent developments in Aotearoa and overseas raise concerns about increasing discrimination against some groups. 'Attacks on the rights of trans, non-binary, and intersex people internationally are having ripple effects here in Aotearoa. I don't believe that is who we are as a country. We have data that shows the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders believe that trans people should be protected from discrimination,' says Walker. 'The laws of other countries are not our laws. Those are not our values.' Trans and non-binary people in Aotearoa already experience disproportionately high levels of psychological distress due to discrimination, barriers to healthcare and threats to their safety. Legislation that threatens to limit rights about gender identity can compound this further, and will likely impact cis women, intersex people and children too. There will be particular impacts for Māori, Pasifika and other Indigenous peoples who have always had diverse expressions of gender and sexuality. Te Tiriti o Waitangi affirms the right of tangata whenua to uphold tino rangatiratanga over their sexuality, gender, gender expressions, and sex characteristics. Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner and Women's Rights spokesperson, Professor Gail Pacheco, says inclusion of trans women in the definition of 'woman' is not only protected under international human rights standards, but it's crucial for wellbeing. 'All people deserve to have a sense of belonging. The Commission acknowledges and celebrates the diversity of women in Aotearoa and the value and strength that diversity brings to our communities,' says Pacheco. The date of May 17 marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization's decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness. 'While we've come so far together since those dark days, even now many people still live in fear of existing as their authentic selves,' says Walker. 'We cannot go back to a time when discrimination against Rainbow people was normalised in legislation and in public attitudes. The cost is people's lives and it's unacceptable.' 'Trans, non-binary, and intersex people are taonga and have existed forever. They will continue to do so with the same rights as others, including to be free from discrimination, violence and abuse,' she adds. 'Communities can use their power to support everyone's sense of identity and belonging, and to speak out against harmful legislation. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to create a society that values inclusivity, equality, human rights, and lives of dignity for all.' Notes: • The Commission published a guide to 'Trans Rights and Human Rights' last year to help transgender people access this information • More data about trans and non-binary people's experiences can be found in the Counting Ourselves Health Survey. • The United Nations treaty body, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has made it clear that 'women', as that term is used in CEDAW, includes trans women, and accordingly, all the rights and protections in CEDAW extend to trans women. • While Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission can't make findings or decide if the law has been breached, it can help by providing information and support and in some cases can offer a dispute resolution process for complaints. If someone has experienced unlawful discrimination, they can make a complaint via our website or by contacting us on 0800 496 877 or infoline@
