The location of IDAHOBIT 2014 has been moved from Old Steine and will now be held in New Steine Gardens, on Saturday, May 17 starting at 6.30pm.
May 17 commemorates the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental health diseases. In 86 countries globally, homosexual acts remain illegal while in many countries lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and those who identify as trans are often murdered simply because of their sexuality or gender identity.
This year’s event in New Steine Gardens will include:
• Performances from The Brighton & Hove Rainbow Chorus.
• A minute’s ‘noise’ to remember the international victims of homo, bi and transphobic violence; (so bring a whistle, horn, bell, tambourine, trombone etc to make some noise!)
• Raising of the Rainbow flag and release of balloons as a symbol of hope for the future.
• Speeches will come foremost from key personalities within the LGBT community.
Confirmed guest speakers include (in no particular order):
The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Brian Fitch
Katy Bourne, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner
Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, Leader of the Conservative Group on Brighton and Hove City Council
Cllr Warren Morgan, Leader of the Labour and Cooperative Group on Brighton and Hove City Council
Dr Sam Hall, The Clare Project
Shane Murray, co-president of Allsorts Youth Project
Gary Pargeter, Lunch Positive
Rory Smith: LGBT Liaison / Hate Crime Co-ordinator
Joanna Rowland-Stuart: REGARD
Aneesa Chaudhry: The Voice Box
Ed Whelan: FTMB
Pc Rich Bridger: Brighton & Hove Division, LGBT Neighbourhood Policing Team
Alex Hyatt: MindOut Mental Health Project
Amaryllis Strong: Brighton Bothways bi-sexual group
Dulcie Weaver: Director Brighton Pride
Simon Dowe: Chief Executive at The Sussex Beacon
Rev. Michael Hydes: Metropolitan Community Church
Nick Douglas: LGBT Switchboard
Anthony White: LGBT+Campaigns officer, Brighton Student’s Union
Flag Raisers: Sj Ramage and Ted Talbot
Flag Bearers: Students from the Brighton LGBT Students Union
Brighton & Hove City Council Conservative Group Leader, Cllr. Geoffrey Theobald, is supporting IDAHOBIT 2014 and the vigil in New Steine Gardens.
He said: “It is quite astonishing to think that as recently as 1990 homosexuality was still officially considered to be a mental illness. Thank goodness we have moved on a long way since then – not least with the recent introduction of same-sex marriage in the UK. Indeed, this country, and Brighton & Hove in particular, stand out as beacons of tolerance and diversity internationally. But much still remains to be done. The Conservative Party in this city, be it councillors, MPs or activists, is fully committed to working with our partners to continue to tackle the scourge of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia wherever it occurs and supporting events such as IDAHOBIT is a vital part of that.”
Brighton & Hove IDAHOBIT is organised by the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum and is an open and inclusive event that everyone is welcome to attend.
A British Sign Language interpreter will be present throughout the event and refreshments will be provided by the THT Outreach Service. Tented areas will be available in case of adverse weather conditions.
IDAHOBIT 2014 has been staged with financial support from: The A-Bar, The Amsterdam Hotel, Billie Lewis Promotions, Tesco Shoreham and B&Q Shoreham, The Ambassador Hotel, James Tomlinson lighting, MBI Sound & Light, The Brighton & Hove LGBT workers forum and the New Steine Hotel.
For more information about the LGBT Community Safety Forum, CLICK HERE:
For more informationa about Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, CLICK HERE:
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