Celebrations of equality and campaigns against prejudice will
take place around the world today (17 May) as part of the
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The Day
will be observed by people in countries with widely varying
attitudes to sexuality, from those in which sexual minorities
are openly criminalised and persecuted, to others where
prejudice remains despite significant steps towards equality.
This is the sixth year that the International Day Against
Homophobia and Transphobia has been observed. It is always held
on 17 May. This year, the Day also marks the beginning of
International Same-Sex Hand-Holding Week. Organisers suggest
that in many countries considered to be relatively progressive,
same-sex couples are often still nervous of holding hands in
public. The charity Stonewall, which campaigns in the UK for the
rights of gay, lesbian and bisexual people, has welcomed the
International Day and insisted that there is still a long way to
go to overcome homophobia in Britain. “To man