IDAHO - the International Day Against Homophobia

the first staged by Wandsworth Police & Wandsworth LGBT Forum

The event on Sunday 17th May was in two parts and both were well attended. This included Wandsworth Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Stewart Low (pictured left) who spoke about Homophobia and the Police Response and members of Wandsworth council including Councillor James Cousins.

Local MP Martin Linton also came along to the day to learn what the day was all about and how we were working towards stamping out Hate Crime. Guest speakers included Sheri Dobrowski and her partner Mike Haddock who spoke about Homophobia and the effects on the family. This was very poignant as Sheri’s son Jody was killed on Clapham Common in 2005 as a result of a Homophobic attack. Sheri’s address was inspirational and a testament to her dedication in standing up to Homophobia.

Other speakers included William Gallagher, chair of the LGBT Forum in Wandsworth, and Jo Semlyen, senior lecturer of the London Metropolitan University, who spoke on Homophobia and Mental Health. Jo lectures on psychology and LGBT at the University and is also a committee member of the LGBT Forum in Wandsworth.

The second part of the day was a remembrance of the many victims of Homophobia and Transphobia throughout the world. This included a number of addresses by Councillor James Cousins, Commander Stewart Low and William Gallagher. This led into a role call of 50 victims of Homophobic and Transphobic attacks throughout the world. Five invited guests read out the names of ten victims each and released a balloon after which they each released a single balloon.

Prayers of remembrance were read by Rev Jean White of the MCC South London and Lay Minister Paul Barrington of the Christian Fellowship who attended with members of his congregation. His prayer can be viewed on the LGBT Forum website.

This was followed by a 2-minute silence. The end of the day culminated in the release of over 200 balloons. This was a moving moment for people to quietly contemplate and remember friends and family who have sadly been victims of these horrific crimes.

June 5, 2009