See the video on the left? It shows you a kiss-in in Paris, France in front of the Eiffel Tower.
This year for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia, we want YOUR help in organising kiss-ins like this in major cities around the world between May 14-17 -- that's the weekend before IDAHO2010!
Gay, straight, black, white -- whatever you look like and whatever your political stripes are -- as long as you believe in love and equality for ALL people everywhere, we want you to join us in a kiss-in near where you are.
Details will be up soon on this very website, but if you think you can help us put together a kiss-in in your city, don't hesitate and write to us at idaho@gays.com!
The Great Global Kiss-in is an official project by the Committee for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHO) and Gays.com.
What is a kiss-in? A kiss-in is, simply put, a flash mob of people who agree to meet in a public space at a certain date and time with their boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife or partner to kiss. It can be small (ten people) or big (a thousand people). Still not sure what we're talking about? Check out this kiss-in conducted in Paris, France.
Why this kiss-in? This kiss-in is to make a public statement for love, freedom and equality in your local community. A kiss is a simple expression of love and affection between two people who love each other -- there is nothing vulgar, obscene or disgusting about it.
Who can participate in the Great Global Kiss-in? You! Yes, you! And anyone who believes in the freedom to love and equality for all people. This action is NOT just for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals -- we want our straight friends, neighbours and colleagues to join us in the kiss-in!
When is the Great Global Kiss-in going to be held? The Great Global Kiss-in will be held between May 14-17, 2010 -- that's the weekend before IDAHO2010! Where will it be held? Tentatively, it will be held in cities including Paris, Berlin, London, Shanghai, San Francisco and Tokyo. Check back later for specific dates, times and locations!
What should I do if I want to host a kiss-in in my city? Email us at idaho@gays.com now, with details of your name, age, email and a basic introduction. Also you'll need to propose a place and time when you think the kiss-in should be held in your city. Please get in touch with us fast. Time's running out. How should I spread the word? We'll be helping you spread the word to the 150,000 members of Gays.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. Once your event pages are set up (we will do this for you), we will send you the respective links and you can help invite people in your community!
Where should I conduct the kiss-in? The kiss-in should preferably be conducted in a huge public square or local monument where visibility is high and lots of people can see you. Organising your kiss-in outside a religious place of worship is discouraged (unless we can be sure you REALLY know what you're doing). The last thing we want to hear is violence (or threats of violence) from extremist or anti-gay groups on participants of your kiss-in.
But I don't have anyone to kiss! What do I do? Sorry we really can't help you there! A miracle might happen between now and the Great Global Kiss-in, but hey even if it doesn't, you should still make it a plan to be present for the kiss-in in your city!
What are my other responsibilities as a host of a local Kiss-in? You will be responsible for:
1. Ensuring that your kiss-in is properly documented via photos and videos (it's 2010 and an event without photos/videos can only be as good as one that never took place at all!)
2. Ensuring that a copy of your photos and videos are sent to us ASAP after your kiss-in. This will be put together for the official IDAHO2010 video.
It will also be fantastic if you can:
3. Reach out to the local press (print, radio, television, bloggers) and get them to be present at your kiss-in. We will provide you with press materials, give you some basic media training and walk you through the key talking points.
What is homophobia? Homophobia is a negative attitude or feeling, a discomfort or an aversion towards gays and lesbians or towards homosexuality in general. It is also the rejection of gay and lesbian people or people considered as such, and of all things associated with them, such as gender non-conformity.
The following are variants of homophobia:
Both on a conscious or sub-conscious level, homophobia surfaces in various ways and can even be internalised.
What is transphobia? Transphobia is a negative attitude or feeling, a discomfort or an aversion towards transgender people, transsexuals or people who are transitioning.
What is the International Day Against Homophobia? The International Day Against Homophobia is an annual thematic event occurring every May 17. This is a unifying moment during which a great number of activities are taking place. It also represents an opportunity to organize educational and awareness activities. Citizens from all walks of life are invited to reflect on homophobia and its devastating effects.
Why is the International Day Against Homophobia so important? Homophobia is an insidious process that channels its effects through subtle, even disguised, ways. No one is safe from hostile manifestations of homosexuality. Like other forms of discrimination and intolerance such as racism, sexism or antisemitism, homophobia has important, sometimes devastating, repercussions for its victims.
Because of it, certain people have difficulty accepting and living a sexual orientation that is different from that of the majority, the suicide rate among young gays is much higher than with their heterosexual peers, a great number of gays and lesbians live in secret and in fear of rejection, and transgendered and transsexual persons still live on the fringe of society.
If progressive laws such as the Civil Marriage Act legalizing same-sex marriage are today a reality, social equality among all citizens regardless of the sexual orientation or sexual identity remains to be achieved.
Why 17 May? 17 May is symbolic due to its significance in improving the status of gays and lesbians. In removing homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses on a 17 May, the World Health Organisation (WHO) put an end to over a century of homophobia in the medical field. IDAHO organization proposed this date for annually holding a day set aside to fight homophobia. The Declaration of Montréal (29 July 2006), borne out of the International Conference on LGBT Rights that preceded the first World Outgames, recommended the worldwide recognition of an International Day Against Homophobia on 17 May of each year.
Are you guys serious? Will a video like this change the world? This video will not stop wars or end poverty, but it will change the world for young LGBT individuals who have a hard time coming out and who hear for the very first time in their own language that they are not alone.
I am in a country where coming out would mean either imprisonment or capital punishment. Are you really suggesting I do this? If you are present in such a country, please do not take part in this project. But if you are originally from such a country and are now living and in another part of the world, then do know that by sending your message to us, you are sending a message of hope to your people back home – that they are not alone.