Speaking Out Against Homophobia

On May 17, communities around the globe will recognize International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. There are events are being in held 50 countries around the world to raise awareness and celebrate progress in creating a more tolerant world.

There’s no doubt that kids growing up gay in America continue face a number of challenges including bullying, discrimination and often poor information about sexual health. Around the globe, homosexual acts are against the law in about 80 countries, and in some cases are even punishable by death.

Here’s a cool way to speak up and make a difference in your community and around the globe: Amplify, a sexual-health focused organization for youth and youth activists, is sponsoring the FIRST International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia Blogathon.

On the Amplify website, you can find some questions to help you think about what you might want to write:

• What is it like for LGBT youth in your country?
• Do they have education, sexual and reproductive health services, and economic opportunities? Why or why not?
• What do you see as priorities for advancing LGBT youth rights in your country?
• How can LGBT youth be sustainable agents of change? Tell others about your own or other young people’s efforts to improve the rights of LGBT youth.

Thinking about participating on the Amplify website? Before you get started, you might want to check out Heart of Gold’s tips for writing an op-ed. That way, you can learn to create powerful passionate prose about IDAHO — or any other causes you care about!