The Drodrolagi Movement (droMo) will be marking International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) with a week of events that include rainbow-chalking driveways, a peace vigil, a documentary screening and discussion and a Pride Party.
IDAHOT is a day to draw attention to the issue of homophobia and transphobia in the community. On May 17th 1990, twenty-three years ago, the World Health Organisation made the landmark decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
droMo is a community-based organization in Suva, Fiji whose mission is to create and celebrate a culture of equality, respect, dignity and pride for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community in Fiji.
The Movement stands against homophobia and transphobia, which is defined as the irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
“A person’s biological sex, what gender they identify as, how they express that identity and who they are attracted to can be as diverse and dynamic as a rainbow” said droMo’s spokesperson, Kris Prasad.
“IDAHOT is about encouraging people to see that these dimensions of a person’s identity should not be used to discriminate against them, or to rob them of their basic human dignity.”
This will be the third year that droMo has commemorated IDAHOT and the week-long planned activities hope to encourage the community to educate themselves on sexual orientation and gender identity issues and to stand up against homophobia and transphobia in Fiji.
Event : Rainbow Chalking
Date : Tuesday 14 May-Thursday 16 May
Time : 5.30pm
Location : Victoria Wines driveway; USP School of Governance and Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre
Description : Rainbow-chalking events will see locations around Suva come alive with the bright and bold colours of the international symbol for the LGBTIQ community, the rainbow.
Event : Peace Vigil
Date : Thursday 16 May
Time : 12.30pm-1.30pm
Location : Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral- Lady Chapel, Corner of Macarthur & Gordon Streets, Suva
Description : In collaboration with femLINKPACIFIC, a peace vigil will be held for members, families, friends and allies to remember lives lost due to homophobia and transphobia in Fiji and around the world.
Event : Documentary screening and discussion
Date : Friday 17 May
Time : 6.30pm- 9.30pm
Location : Fiji School of Medicine Pasifika Auditorium, Extension St, Suva
Description : An award-winning documentary filmed in Uganda titled Call Me Kuchu will be screened. The film examines the astounding courage and determination required to battle an oppressive government, a vicious media and a powerful church in the fight for LGBTIQ rights. An open-space discussion will follow the screening.
Event : Pride Party
Date : Friday 17 May
Time : 9.30pm
Location : To be advised
Description : To round off the IDAHOT week, a Pride Party will be held directly after the film screening and discussion, with free entry for those attending the film event.
For further information regarding droMo’s IDAHOT events, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
ENDS