UCC - UCAN releases statement on International Day Against Homophobia

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

UCAN releases statement on International Day Against Homophobia

> Written by Staff Reports
> May 17, 2011

The UCC's HIV and AIDS Network (UCAN) has released a statement in 
observance of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Marking the May 17, 1990, date when homosexuality was removed from 
the International Classification of Diseases by the World Health 
Organization, the day of recognition has grown to include statements 
from governments, civil rights organizations and religious institutions.

UCAN's statement is reprinted in its entirety below.

Statement on the 2011 International Day Against Homophobia
May 17, 2011

Homophobia continues to create real places of vulnerability 
throughout the world, including the United States. In April 2011, the 
U.S. Department of State released the 2010 Human Rights Report which 
stated there was an "escalation of violence, persecution, and 
official and societal discrimination" against lesbian, gay, bisexual 
and transgender persons, as well as other vulnerable groups. [U.S. 
Department of State Human Rights Reports for 2010 (Released April 8, 
2011), 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices]

Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary-General, and UNAIDS have reported that 
where homophobia thrives, HIV thrives, not because HIV is a gay 
disease, but because fear and hate related to sexuality imposes 
silence which drives the epidemic underground, creating barriers to 
information, treatment, care and support. This makes clear, that 
homophobia threatens public health.

Regrettably, religion has been and continues to be a major source of 
homophobia and Christianity is no exception. There are still many 
Christian leaders and communities who foment homophobic values, in 
spite of the teachings of Jesus, who tells his disciples to love not 
only their neighbor, but also their enemy; and calls on them to "do 
unto to others as you would have done unto you."

However, among a growing number of faith communities, there is a 
clear and growing momentum for combating homophobia and creating safe 
spaces of extravagant welcome and inclusion in both church and society.

In this past year, people around the world poured out their 
compassion in response to the tragic suicides among several young 
people who had experienced discrimination and harassment related to 
their real or perceived sexual orientation. You-tube is now filled 
with "It Get's Better" video testimonies from leaders and others 
encouraging young people to hang in there and find the support they 
need. The Uganda Parliament, once again gave serious consideration to 
an anti-homosexuality bill that included the death penalty, but a 
significant global response, which included several faith 
communities, supported the successful advocacy of Ugandan coalitions 
to keep the bill from being voted on. Yet, laws that criminalize 
sexual orientation remain on the books in Uganda and more than 70 
other countries.

The International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) is an important 
opportunity to deepen our understandings of homophobia and its impact 
not only on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer people, but 
also on the safety and well-being of the whole community. IDAHO is a 
significant time to strengthen our commitments, build on 
collaborative efforts and increase our capacity to work effectively 
to root out homophobia wherever it exists in our communities and 
throughout the world.

> The Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer
> Executive Director
> UCAN, Inc., (United Church of Christ HIV & AIDS Network)