The launch meeting of IDAHO-UK takes place:

Friday April 7th,
6-8.30pm at Amnesty International UK,
The Human Rights Action Centre,
17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA.
Nearest tube: Old Street (0.4 miles)

Map to venue:
 http://www.amnesty.org.uk/amnesty/nationaloffices/hracmap.shtml

Cross-party support

For the government Meg Munn, Deputy Minister for Women and Equality, stated that she fully supported "the work of the International Day Against Homophobia campaign to increase awareness on the legal and human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people across the globe". She added "the UK government recognises the discrimination that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people face in their day to day lives and we are committed to tackling it, just as we want to encourage and develop the conditions for a fair and just society for all.

Ms Munn concluded "We are working hard to improve the lives of lesbians, gay, bisexuals and transsexuals in the UK, and I hope the International Day Against Homophobia will encourage others to take similar steps. I look forward to marking this day on 17th May from this year onwards."

Eleanor Laing, Shadow Minister for Women and Equality, added "The fact that we can celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia is a clear indication of the way in which the whole attitude of society has changed. There is a long way to go but I am confident that right across the political divide we are working for a fair and equal society."

Evan Harris for the Liberal Democrats said "Homophobia is an increasing problem in Europe and remains prevalent in many parts of the world. Liberal Democrats want to see further steps to tackle prejudice, bullying and discrimination both in the UK and abroad, and we give our whole-hearted backing to the International Day Against Homophobia."

The principal speakers for the Green Party, Caroline Lucas MEP and Councillor Keith Taylor also spoke of their "enthusiastic support" of IDAHO , saying that it "will play an important part in celebrating our vision of a world of equality, tolerance, and diversity."

Meanwhile, Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, has tabled an early day motion in support of IDAHO in the House of Commons. Details can be found at:

 http://tinyurl.com/p6plv

Derek Lennard, Co-ordinator of IDAHO in the UK welcomed "this broad political support for such a new campaign" and commented that the guest list of IDAHO speakers was looking like a Who's Who of LGBT Human Rights Supporters". Speakers include Louis-Georges Tin, founder of IDAHO who is expected to make a major statement concerning Moscow Pride, Michael Cashman, former actor, Labour MEP for the West Midlands and President of the Intergroup on gay and lesbian rights in the European Parliament, Jason Pollock Executive Director of Europride, Linda Wilkinson, Secretary of Amnesty International, Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Matthew Davis, Vice Chair of the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group.

There will also be a dramatisation of Rex Batten's book, Rid England of this plague.

The launch meeting of IDAHO-UK takes place on Friday April 7, 6-8.30pm at Amnesty International UK, The Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA.

The IDAHO UK Website is at www.idaho-uk.org

The petition for an International Day Against Homophobia can be found on www.petitiononline.com/idaho

The International Website is at www.idahomophobia.org