This year, Crown Princess Mary addressed the IDAHOT Forum in Denmark, London City Hall raised the rainbow flag, Genoa turned its fountains pink, Cuba had a street parade, Pakistan a panel discussion, Albania a bike (P)ride) and Argentina danced a special tango. It all happened on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), held on May 17.
But while celebrations are big in Europe and Latin America, this internationally recognised day hasn’t struck a chord with Australians. This year, across the nation school children held cake sales, while some government departments in some states made an effort to raise awareness. Hardly the stuff to invigorate public awareness. Perhaps the day needs to be adapted in a way that’s relevant to Australians, and perhaps we’ve seen the first steps in that direction with the event Move In May, which happened in Melbourne this year.