Coventry Conservatives say NO to Homphobia and Transphobia

14th May 2010

Coventry Conservatives will be joining members of The Coventry Partnership in Shelton Square on the 15th of May 2010 at 11:00am, to stand up to hatred by saying "NO" to homophobia and Transphobia.  The day exists to raise awareness of the fact that discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-spectrum people still exists and manifests in many forms both in Coventry and world-wide.

There are 75 Countries in the world today where it is a criminal offence to be gay and/or lesbian.  People are punished and imprisoned because of their sexuality and in a further seven countries that punishment is death. 

The event forms part of this year's commemoration of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHoT) and partner agencies including Coventry City Council, West Midlands Police, Terence Higgins Trust, Coventry & Warwickshire Friend, the Hate Crime Reduction Partnership, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Advisory Group, and Victim Support will be supporting stalls in Shelton Square in the city centre to mark the day.

This year’s IDAHoT is entitled ‘We're Saying No to Homophobia and Transphobia," with many senior members of the community supporting the theme, including the Council's Chief Executive, Martin Reeves and Chief Superintendent Steve Glover. The day is an opportunity to highlight homophobia by promoting and hoping for a prejudice-free world and to celebrate the contribution of trans-spectrum people, gay men and women to society.

Anyone who experiences or witnesses homophobia or transphobia in Coventry should report it to the police on 0345 113 5000 or telephone 024 7683 2118".