CityLife

Flying the flag for IDAHO

The rainbow flag will be everywhere on May 17 1 / 2 images

IT'S International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on Sunday, May 17; and Manchester's LGBT community is joining forces with local authorities and organisations to fly the flag throughout the city and beyond.

Manchester Town Hall, Greater Manchester Police, The University Of Manchester and HM Prison Manchester are just a few of the places where a rainbow flag will be seen on Sunday, aiming to raise awareness of the negative impact of homophobia and transphobia.

IDAHO marks the anniversary of the day in 1990 that the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental diseases.

'Showing support'

This year's campaign, organised by Manchester's Lesbian And Gay Foundation, coincides with the Exceeding Expectations initiative in Manchester schools (May 5 to 15). The programme is dedicated to ending homophobia in schools through education.

"[Flying the flag for IDAHO] not only aims to raise awareness outside of the LGB&T community and ensures that the day is marked, understood and embraced by everyone; showing support for LGB&T people living in Greater Manchester," says Darren Knight, development manager of the Lesbian And Gay Foundation.

"It also aims to promote that everyone, regardless of difference, is equal; whether it be a different religion or belief, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, someone with a disability or indeed sexual orientation."

For more information about IDAHO and Exceeding Expectations, visit the links on the right.

Organisations involved in flying the flag for IDAHO 2009 include:
* Bury Youth Services
* Dukinfield Town Hall
* Greater Manchester Police
* HM Prison Manchester
* Oldham Libraries
* Oldham Town Hall
* Manchester Town Hall
* Sale Town Hall
* Salford City Council
* Tameside Youth Services
* Trafford Town Hall
* University of Manchester