Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) people all over the world continue to face many challenges such as stigma and discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) at several spheres (family, school, workplace, healthcare settings, community and in society as a whole) which lead to inequities in employment, access to health services and education as well as physical, emotional violence and criminalisation. At least 76 countries in the globe criminalize consensual same sex relationship and in 7 countries the death penalty may be applied to same sex relationship. To raise awareness and promote understanding among the public on LGBT’s issues and rights and promote mobilisation and sodality of LGBT community to advocate and demand for their rights, several countries around the world celebrated a week long Pride of LGBT people called ‘Pride Week’. In Cambodia Pride Week and International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia have been celebrated since 2004 in context of HIV/AIDS awareness raising for men who have sex with men (MSM), however, starting from 2009 the celebration was evolved to become more advocacy for human rights to promote a society where has full tolerance, freedom and respect of diversity.
This year, similarly to previous years, Men’s Health Social Service together with Blue Chilly, LGBT community, civil society organisations (CSO), LGBT Community Network, UN agencies and business sector are celebrating Pride from 13-25 May with a wide range of activities which will be attended by relevant government officials, development partners, CSO, business sector. With financial support from USAID through Flagship project KHANA, Fhi360 and PSK/PSI, a joint opening for Pride Week is organizing on 25th May to mark the IDAHOT as a day against violence and oppression and to promote freedom, diversity and acceptance as well as to commemorate the decision taken by the World Health organization in 1990 to take homosexuality out of the list of mental disorders. The press conference is being organised to be attached with the joint opening ceremony to ensure the information about the events and advocacy calls are well reaching to the public through media platform.
This year IDAHOT is organized under the theme: ‘mental health and wellbeing’, drawing attention to the harmful effects that stigma, discrimination and exclusion have on LGBT people, however, the overall theme for the Pride is maintained to be ‘I AM WHAT I AM’.
I. Objectives
Gay Pride Week organize aimed to:
Promoted and reduce stigma and discrimination among LTBGI in Cambodia
Have positive media coverage with LGBT community voices and issues relayed including call for promoting and protecting LGBT’s rights;
Raise awareness on LGBT issues and advocate for LGBT legal and social recognition as well as promoting equality and equity;
Mobilize and promote ownership and harmonization, empower local champions and networking as well as dynamic momentum across different actors to support LGBT issues and protect their rights.
During the LGBT event from 20-25 May 2016, the event will be Information of Pride Week and IDAHOT as well as advocacy on LGBT issues are well covered by the media, Relevant stakeholders have well understanding on LGBT issues, LGBT community mobilized, network across different actors established to support LGBT, there will be approximately 750 from LGBTI, government institution, development partners, CSOs, community and business sectors will join this event at Blue Chilly, 2colour and Rainbow. As experience from last year, 50% of LGBTI will be knew their HIV and Syphilis status by received HTC testing during the event,5,000 of love condoms and lubricant will be demonstrate,1,350 OK condoms will be social marketed by sale representative and condom vending machine, SBC material (SBC tool, MStyle website/face book, IVR, Voice4U, finger prick flyers, will be display and introduce to participants during the event.320 of beautiful T-shirt with message of “I AM WHAT I AM” will be printed and to LGBTI who are volunteer access HTC testing “100 T-shirt under budget support from USAID- FL budget and other 100 T-shirt under AHF budget” during the pride week, MStyle program will be promoted to regional through by website of gay bars and participants who are come from Thailand China other countries . LGBT pride week 2016, will be documented as part social support in Cambodia
II- Date and Venue:
a. Date: 20th May, 2016, 6.00pm-11.00pm
b. Venue: Blue Chilly, address: 6Eo Street 178 (Preah Ang Makhak Vann) Daun Penh District
c. City: Phnom Penh