05.05.2015
Christ Church Cathedral to Celebrate IDAHOT Day With Special Choral Evensong
Christ Church Cathedral will celebrate IDAHOT Day, the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, with a special Choral Evensong at 3.30 pm on Sunday May 17.
The Independent Senator Dr Katherine Zappone (pictured) will address the congregation and the address will be in the context of IDAHOT Day. The Senator is a member of the Irish Human Rights Commission and a Co–Director of The Centre for Progressive Change – an organisation which promotes an ethical vision that puts community at the heart of public life.
IDAHOT Day was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally.
In under a decade, May 17 has established itself the single most important date for LGBTI communities to mobilise on a worldwide scale.
The Day represents an annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, opinion leaders and local authorities to the alarming situation faced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people and all those who do not conform to majority sexual and gender norms.
May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same–sex acts are illegal, with 1600 events reported from 1280 organizations in 2014. These mobilisations unite millions of people in support of the recognition of human rights for all, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is not one centralised campaign; rather it is a moment that everyone can take advantage of to take action.
The date of May 17 was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
The service will be sung by the Cathedral Choir and music will include Moore responses, Kelly’s Evening Service in C and Tippett’s By and By from Five Negro Spirituals.
All are welcome to attend.