OMAHA, NEBRASKA – On May 17, 2014 LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) activists and community members will rally at the 72 Dodge Street intersection against homophobia and transphobia. The rally will begin at 2pm. May 17^th is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). IDAHOT is a day, which communities stand up against violence and oppression; it is also a day to promote freedom, diversity, and acceptance.

Go here to RSVP: Stop Homophobia Stop Transphobia! 

In 2013, IDAHOT was celebrated by events held in 113 countries. In 32 of those countries, activists took action despite laws prohibiting expression of sexual orientation and gender identity.  The day is officially recognized as a National Day in Belgium, United Kingdom, France, Luxemburg, Spain, Brazil, Croatia, and by the European Parliament. IDAHOT continues to be necessary because even in the United States there is a lot of hate and violence.

• In 2012, there were 1,318 confirmed hate crimes offenses based on sexual orientation bias.  – Federal Bureau of Investigation
• 8 U.S. States have laws banning the promotion or discussion of homosexuality in schools, Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. – Washington Post

In addition to rallying against homophobia and transphobia they will be advocating for full federal equality through an omnibus bill, or one-bill strategy. They will ask individuals and groups who believe in full federal equality for the LGBTQIA community to take the Full Equality Pledge. The Full Equality Pledge began in 2009 and was embraced by the 2010 National Equality March that drew over 250,000 people demanding “full federal equality.” The current Equality Pledge document was drafted by Act On Principles, Get Equal, The American Equality Bill (AEB) Project, Marriage Equality USA, Out4Immigration, and others. The document contains a list of all existing nondiscrimination laws that protect race, sex, national origin, and religion, and calls for sexual orientation and gender identity to be added. It also calls for federal marriage equality, and includes immigration and family leave for same-sex couples.

*For more information on this rally or the Equality Pledge please contact Ken Riter (NE) at phone: 402.686.6389 email: omahamaverick@yahoo.com or Mika Covington (IA) at phone: 712.314.8258 email: mika.j.covington@gmail.com