Held for the third year running in Hong Kong and in 40 countries around the world since 2005, the event aims to increase awareness of the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people across the globe.

Organised by gay groups including Women Coalition of HKSAR, Rainbow of Hong Kong, HK 10% Club, Nutongxueshe and Amnesty International, the theme this year is: "Legislation is the Best Education."

According to the parade's official site (www.idahohk.org), organisers hope to draw the community's and the public's attention to sexual minorities in Hong Kong who continue to suffer inequalities such as not being protected by anti-discrimination legislation and are not accorded rights to marry, social welfare, residency, adoption of children and succession of estates.

In 2006, an estimated two to three hundred people braved the wet weather march through Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Marked in 40 countries around the world typically on May 17, the event aims to provoke action, increase the visibility of the LGBT movement and for the event to be marked in the maximum number of countries, and adopted on an international level. The event is held on May 17 to mark the World Health Organisation's removal of homosexuality from its list of mental diseases in 1990.

While Hong Kong repealed gay sex laws in 1991, gay sex is continues to be punishable in several Asian countries including Singapore, Malaysia and India while Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen have the death penalty for gays.

Fridae is the official gay online media for the IDAHO Hong Kong parade.

3rd International Day Against Homophobia Hong Kong parade
Date: May 20, 2007
Time: 2pm
Venue: Pedestrianised area on East Point Road (behind Sogo)
Appeal from organisers: The budget for the day's events is estimated at HK$20,000. To support us financially please deposit your donations to Hang Seng Bank A/C number 289-539272-001 (payable to Women Coalition of HKSAR), and email your name and donated amount to info@idahohk.org for our record.
For info and updates, visit www.idahohk.org