International Day Against Homophobia

Today is International Day Against Homophobia and it is still sad that we still need to have a day to try to combat homophobia.

While things are a lot better in a lot of countries and California now recognises gay marriage there is still a long way to go.

In the last couple of weeks I have been travelling and was interested in a comment someone made about Fiji and homophobia. It made me stop and think should I be travelling to a country as a gay man where that country has either laws discriminating against gays or there is an undertone of homophobia.

On reflection I think it doesn't matter where you travel you will always find things which you wouldn't necessary agree with at home but by meeting with people you actually make a difference.

I think it is also true if you actually make the effort to talk to your enemy you might find at least an understanding.

Some issues that I would hope take a step forward in the World this year are:

• Removal of the death penalty for been gay in any country
  
• Lifting of the HIV+ Travel ban for visitors to the USA
• Gay Marriage or Civil Unions for Australia
• Removal of discrimination in law in Australia in at least 58 areas
• And end to people's homophobia - I really can't understand what they fear from gay people.

Finally take a read of Ian comment in Gay Market News about IDAHO and a recent survey. He is right to be concerned about a survey in which one in four respondents presumably did think being gay is an illness. Read Gay Market News for more details.