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The Significance of the International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia

***Note: This article originally appeared in the July Issue of Wayves***

By Sara Mukherji • 2012-06-19

For the LGBTT community in Nova Scotia, there remains a substantial amount of homophobia and transphobia.

Most local radio stations and news media cringe at the idea of having to write about, or speak respectfully of, the individuals of the gay, lesbian, and transgendered community. So many people from the LGBTT Community here in Halifax are taking their own lives as a result of homophobia and transphobia. Others are being slain. Yet the news media and radio stations mention it briefly for a week or so and then turn a proverbial “blind eye” on the incident. Luckily, the Dalhousie's radio station, CKDU, has chosen to follow a different path.

Gianna Lauren, the station manager, planned a special CKDU Radio Show which focussed on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia Rally at the Grand Parade outside was another step in the right direction. It brought to mainstream Halifax an awareness of the prejudice and discrimination faced by the LGBTT Community. We still have a long way to go. We as transgendered individuals and members of the gay, lesbian and bisexual community will be able to say that the war to eliminate homophobia and transphobia has been won when mainstream society can instantly remember May 17 as the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, just as we remember March 8 as International Women’s Day.