No Major IDAHO activity today .....except

So with today being International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia worldwide the main activity for today was public kissing or holding hands by same sex persons but given our caustic environment towards homosexuality let alone public display of such it was be hard pressed for some of us to do same given the damage literally one may suffer from possible violent attacks.

I for one just went out on the town to get some personal effects and saw some friends, we hugged and greeted each other and talked about the whole gay scene and the present Manatt Phelps Phillips drama and the Prime Ministers' predicament of groups and the opposition calling for his resignation. We also discussed the pending NING network decision to now charge free using member sites including LGBT non-profits such as GLBTQ Jamaica Linkup an annual fee to host such sites and their content. We also discussed what we can do as individual gay people in terms of rights based issues and personal contributions to advocacy.

Splintered advocacy at work?:

A small gathering I now learnt was arranged by a group of persons at Emancipation Park (not sure if JFLAG or CVC were directly involved and never bothered to check as the groups are upset at this blog's direct criticism of their poor stance on GLBTQ issues) to mark the day earlier this morning but it seems it was a well arranged hush hush move. The IDAHO interactive activity map for the day never mentioned Jamaica on it's list of countries with planned actions for the day. This to me only shows we have a long way to go as to the fixing of the splintering of our so called gay rights advocates in being selective on acting on issues, this is deeply disturbing. I would imagine some persons maybe left out of activities like that due to their strong criticisms of the paltry representation of the GLTBQ community by these persons, their class and one wonders if this is not another attempt at grandstanding over nothing to get the funder's attention as those funders are now stringently demanding evidenced based advocacy in order to qualify for such funds. Such actions were never forthcoming before from these organisations hence we now see needed activity late in coming in terms of for example the Walk for Tolerance which in essence turned out to be a front for agitation for GLBTQ recognition which nearly backfired in their faces.

"This day should have been one where despite the differences of opinions and ways to move forward ALL should have been brought to the table if it is even to decline the invitation sent so lest it be said as is the case now that no invitations at all were sent yet an IDAHO event took place.

This is extremely sad and heartbreaking."

Individual suggestions:

There are some things we can individually continue to do all year round in dealing with homophobia outside of the skewed advocacy structure for now such as making your voice be heard, sound off on network pages, letters to the editors and call in programs. Read and apprise yourself of what's going on in the GLBTQ scene, don't just take the word of a few including this blogger's two cents although opinions of others also help to shape your own.

If you feel so moved to show or share your love for your same sex partner before day's end or at reading this post by all means do so of course bearing in mind the crackpots near you, don't put yourself in danger in order to prove a point. The airwaves seem to have overlooked this one so far as no radio or television interviews were heard as at the development of this post on the subject as the Manatt Phelps and Phillips issue dominate nearly all formats.

My telephone conversation earlier today with the JFLAG Programs Manager on the day never brought to light any planned radio appearances. Their website sadly has not been updated as it still has the old press release from last year's IDAHO displayed on the main page.

So our IDAHO wasn't such a happy one but HAPPY IDAHO to you none the less and be safe out there folks.

Celebrate yourselves despite the homophobia not just today but EVERYDAY!!!!

Peace and tolerance

H