May 17 marks the eighth International Day Against Homophobia
and Transphobia (IDAHO), an annual day of action to end discrimination and
violence on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Hundreds of events around the globe will
bring together lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and
their supporters to raise awareness and demand respect and equal rights for
all .
.jpg "Eric Castellano")
Eric
Castellano, president of
C-NET+/BelizeIn recognition of IDAHO 2012, amfAR’s MSM Initiative will
host representatives from two of its Caribbean-based grantee organizations:
Eric Castellano, president of Collaborative Network of Persons with HIV in
Belize (C-NET+/Belize), and Luke Sinnette, president of Friends for Life in
Trinidad and Tobago. According to
UNAIDS, HIV prevalence in the Caribbean is approximately one percent; however,
rates amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals are much
higher. amfAR─along with UNAIDS, the United
Nations Development Program, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights
Commission, and Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC)─has organized two IDAHO events
to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among gay men, other men who have sex with
men (MSM), and transgender individuals in the Caribbean, with a specific focus
on how stigma and discrimination impede efforts to reach these marginalized
populations.
Mr. Castellano and Mr. Sinnette will share their experiences
and discuss homophobia and transphobia among Caribbean populations in New York
City and throughout the Caribbean at a community forum on Tuesday evening May
15 at GMHC. On May 17, they will
participate in a panel discussion with representatives from UN member states to
identify strategies for increasing access to HIV services among gay men, other
MSM, and transgender individuals. For
additional information about these events, please contact Kent Klindera
(kent.klindera@amfar.org).
On
May 15, in recognition of IDAHO, amfAR is co-sponsoring a panel discussion on
strategies for overcoming stigma and discrimination based on sexual orientation
and gender identity among Caribbean communities in New York City and the
greater Caribbean. For details, click here.
For more information on IDAHO 2012 events around the world, click here.