Lesbian, gay, bi and trans activists and Green elected representatives in Brighton and Hove are commemorating the 2012 International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) today and tomorrow, 17-18 May.

One of the events taking place in the city is a community vigil in the Old Steine on Thursday, with keynote speeches from community representatives including the new Green Leader of the Council, Councillor Jason Kitcat, and a performance from the Rainbow Chorus.

Caroline Lucas MP said:

"The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia is an opportunity to celebrate the great progress made on LGBT rights, but also to remember that discrimination on the basis of gender and sexuality remains - both here and abroad.

"Here in Brighton and Hove, the Greens stand in solidarity with all of those in our city and across the world who have struggled against bigotry and prejudice, and pledge to work together to promote a more equal, just and respectful society."

Green councillor and new deputy leader of BHCC, Phelim Mac Cafferty, said:

"IDAHOBIT is the most important day in the calendar to mark LGBT rights and equality.

"In Brighton and Hove we are showing what can be done in the fight against the institutional discrimination LGBT people still face locally, in our country and around the world.

"Let's remember the work of so many people who are fighting prejudice - for example those who are confronting homophobic and transphobic bullying in education locally, such as the Allsorts Young People project.

"Remember, also, that in at least five countries people can be sentenced to death for their sexuality and in many more countries there's still legal and social oppression.  Even here in our tolerant city we have still have the scourge of hate crime."

The new Green leader of BHCC, Councillor Jason Kitcat, said:

 "I am honoured that my first engagement as the Green leader of the city council will be to attend this evening's vigil in commemoration of IDAHOBIT Day. 

"While there is still much work to do, we as a city lead the way culturally and socially in the advancement of the rights and protection of LGBT people in the UK. 

"I believe we have great opportunities with a Green-led council to take this reputation even further and to show the world what can be done to tackle homophobia and transphobia however it appears, whether as hate crime, cultural prejudice or legal discrimination."

Friday will see the UK release of a European Parliament Film, ‘It Gets Better' (2), at a commemorative IDAHOBIT event at the Jubilee Library (Friday 18 May, 6pm) with an introduction from Keith Taylor MEP. 

The MEP said:

"I'm really proud to be part of this film, which sends a strong message of support to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender young people across Europe.

"Being a teenager can be hard enough, but being bullied because of your sexual orientation can make young people's lives unbearable.

"Bullying and discrimination can lead to self-harm and even suicide.

"By raising awareness of the work that is being done to strengthen LGBT rights in Europe and by highlighting these issues I hope that the film will show that we can work together to put an end to homophobia and transphobia and that we really can 'make things better'."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1) Public bodies, including Green-led Brighton & Hove City Council will also fly the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi and trans) rainbow flag from public buildings to remember victims of hate crime and discrimination around the world.

2) EU Parliament Intergroup on LGBT Rights Video and press release link:

http://www.lgbt-ep.eu/press-releases/european-leaders-it-gets-better

3) Friday 18th May: the Jubilee Library event will include a panel discussion and the official release of the City Council's scrutiny panel into trans equality.