And we’re not talking about the state.
Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2012.
If you want to know what is going on around the world to celebrate the occasion, this may be a good place to start – IDAHO.
Among the links on that portal is one to a press release by PAHO/WHO (Pan American Health Organisation in collaboration with the World Health Organization). Anyone needing a smack down of Michele Bachmann’s husband and other ‘curists’ will enjoy reading it – Media Release:
Washington, D.C., 17 May 2012 (PAHO/WHO) — Services that purport to “cure” people with non-heterosexual sexual orientation lack medical justification and represent a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said in a position statement launched on 17 May, the International Day against Homophobia. The statement calls on governments, academic institutions, professional associations and the media to expose these practices and to promote respect for diversity.
Twenty two years ago, on May 17, the World Health Assembly removed homosexuality from the list of mental disorders when it approved a new version of the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).
“Since homosexuality is not a disorder or a disease, it does not require a cure. There is no medical indication for changing sexual orientation,” said PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses Periago. Practices known as “reparative therapy” or “conversion therapy” represent “a serious threat to the health and well-being—even the lives—of affected people.”
[…]
So, it is a day to celebrate diversity and continue efforts to end discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Statement by Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS:
GENEVA, 14 May 2012—In the last year, we have seen greater acceptance of diversity. A new dialogue of openness and tolerance has emerged.
Yet in 79 countries, territories and areas, we still have laws that criminalize same-sex relations between consenting adults. These laws are serious barriers to an effective AIDS response and are driving lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people underground where they cannot access life-saving services.
A society’s value should not be based on money or power. It must be measured by the way it values people, regardless of their sexual orientation or social status. A prosperous society is one that ensures inclusiveness and respects all people.
To our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender friends, UNAIDS stands with you.
Your engagement is essential to achieving our vision of Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths.
