Networking to fight homophobia

Rido memberi informasi ke pada tamu pameran

Networking also means to seize opportunities either reactively or proactively to spread information and awareness about LGBT people and their rights. Arus Pelangi already participated in several exhibitions in Jakarta to spread information about Arus Pelangi and its activities. It has now become a challenge to spead its wings to regions outside Jakarta.

The opportunity came when 'Jendela Ide Sabuga Youth' organized an exhibition with the theme 'human rights and pluralism' in Bandung. They targeted youth and young people with this exhibition. Arus Pelangi was able to reach out directly to hundreds of young people on that day; their reactions were very positive.

One of the forms of homophia is the discrimination against LGBT at workplace, especially against transgender persons. In fact, the constitution guarantees access to work to all citizens.

Therefore, Arus Pelangi endeavored on a research that eventually resulted in a book. The research revealed how widespread the discrimination at all levels of employment is, especially in the formal sector; transgender persons hardly get any chance to apply for jobs at the formal sector.

This book was officially launched on December 14. Representtives from the parliament and business sector were invited to comment on the book. This book will be used to further campaign to end the discrimination against LGBT persons at workplace.

17 May 1990 was a historic day because on that day the WHO formally deleted homosexuality from their list of mental diseases. According to this directive from the UN organization on health issues there is no basis anymore to consider LGBT people as mentally deranged. That's why this date was chosen to become the International Day against Homophobia (IDAHO).

In Jakarta, the commemoration of IDAHO was held in collaboration with the Wahid Institute, Yayasan Pelangi Kasih Indonesia et al. This public discussion attracted quite some religious scholars and clerics. One Protestant pastor even declared that she is willing to sacrament the wedding of LGBT couples. Wow!

The 2006 International LGBT Conference in Montreal, Canada, resulted in a new commitment to combat homophobia worldwide. Hence the IDAHO (international Day against Homophobia) was declared: 17 May.

In Surabaya IDAHO was commemorated by distributing leaflets and posters; plus a public discussion organized by Us Community. At the same time, Qmunity-Surabaya launched the first Gay Film Festival in Surabaya. Due to the novelty of this all the audience was rather poor. Next time better!