Gays.com proudly announces the launch of a community and public awareness project through the production of a user-generated video to be released on May 17, 2009, marking the sixth annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).
Gays.com invites participants to Take Up the Idaho Challenge! – to step out in front of the camera and, in their own language, introduce themselves, state where they’re from and how proud they are to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Created completely from user submissions, the video will act as a public service announcement communicating the message that LGBT individuals are present in every country, in every society and in every corner of the world.
Take Up the Idaho Challenge! marks a collaboration between Gays.com and the Committee for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). Founded in France by activist Louis-Georges Tin, the IDAHO Committee has been instrumental in the drafting of the new United Nations statement urging the decriminalization of homosexuality, now signed by 67 countries around the world.
“In our battle to tear down the walls of homophobia and transphobia, it is of vital importance that we have people who are willing to put their face to what we are fighting for. This is a clarion call to members of our community to come out from wherever you are and let your voice be heard,” says Louis-Georges Tin, Founder of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. “When each of us takes that step of courage in coming out, we empower and give courage to those around us to do the same. The change that we are all longing to see starts with each of us.”
“Here at Gays.com, we are all about fighting the culture of anonymity that is so pervasive on the gay internet landscape. With this project, we want to challenge members of our community to step out of their virtual closets,” adds Kenneth Tan, spokesperson for Gays.com. “It is vital that those of us who reside in places of relative peace and freedom step out in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who, based upon where they live, risk abuse, jail, torture and the death sentence if they do come out. It is our hope that every country can be represented in this video.”
The Committee for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) is a network of activists, present in over 50 countries, who seek to promote the idea of an international day against homophobia and transphobia. This day has been recognized officially by a number of governments around the world and provides an opportunity for the LGBT movement across the world to unite in a powerful demonstration of collective visibility.
Gays.com was designed for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community as the world’s first LGBT social networking website that designed for real people with real names an real world connections. The site aims to build an authentic social environment that helps people maintain their relationships with people they actually know. Launched in May 2008, Gays.com is headquartered in Hong Kong with a development team spread between Shanghai, China and Bielefeld, Germany.
Take up the Idaho challenge!
Simply log on to http://gays.com/IDAHO to upload your video or record your message instantly by means of your computer’s webcam. Videos may also be emailed directly.
Deadline for video submissions: May 10, 2009.
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