On the 15th anniversary of the World Health Organization’s decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder, a global campaign for an International Homophobia Awareness Day has been launched.

The International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), a 400-member global network of organizations fighting for GLBT equality, are calling for May 17 to be officially recognized on the international calendar.

The aim of the day is to provoke action and debate in the fight against all types of violence and hostility toward the GLBT community, to coordinate equality initiatives and foster worldwide solidarity in these campaigns and all human rights struggles, and to reinforce achievements already won.

ILGA hopes to follow the example set by International Women’s Day or World AIDS Day and demonstrate that homophobia – the irrational fear of homosexuals – is the responsibility of all society, not just of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

“The recognition of such a day would be a determined commitment on the part of the international community, which has come together to fight many other forms of discrimination and sexual violence, but has not yet addressed LGBT rights; now is the time,” said Louis-Georges Tin, initiator and campaigner for International Homophobia Awareness Day.

Tin added, “The fight against homophobia necessarily leads to the affirmation of sexual rights in general, whether sex, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. The fight against homophobia also reinforces efforts against AIDS and all sexually transmitted diseases. Sexual autonomy can hardly exist without the basic access to information and treatment.”

Although much has been achieved in the western world by GLBT campaigners during the last few decades, levels of sexual-orientation discrimination around the globe vary dramatically.

In at least 80 countries, homosexual acts are illegal. In many countries such as Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia and Jamaica, the punishment can exceed 10 years in prison, and in a dozen countries, capital punishment may be prescribed for those whose gay identity is revealed.

Although no San Diego groups are participating this year, many, including The Center, San Diego LGBT Pride and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network California, said they would support the concept if they had more information about the campaign from ILGA.

For more information on International Homophobia Awareness Day, visit this article online at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to ILGA’s Web site.