Digital Celebration: Pride & IDAHOTB 2020
Press Announcement
Phnom Penh, Friday 15 May 2020
17 May marked the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) which inaugurated around the globe since 2004, to draw attention to violence and discrimination against LGBT community. The date was chosen to remember the day the WHO decision to remove homosexuality fromthe list of mental disorder[1]. It signifies that LGBTIQ is not abnormal and we are not a disease. To Cambodia, the week of 17 May, gives an additional meaningas it is purposely chosen to be Pride Week Celebration which marked the formation of Rainbow Community Kampuchea (RoCK) and also a reminder that we who has diverse Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity should not hate and against our true selves as well as stop living in shame. We celebrate this event to tell the public about our visibility in Cambodia, and we demand recognition, respect, and love nourishment for humanity. We together could build a society that is kind and friendly for every citizen.
From 2009, Pride Week Celebration included the activities of diverse forms arts and performances, exhibitions, public services activities, workshops, and dialogues with representatives of the Royal Government of Cambodia on laws and public policy protecting LGBTIQ community.
To prevent the spreading of Corvid 19, RoCK celebrate Pride and IDAHOTB with her members, allies from different sectors, local authorities, government representatives and National and Regional NGOs for the whole May. Their voices of wishful thoughts, loving, caring and encouragement to each other through messages, photos, video clips, and songs on their social media platforms. This united action is under theme of “Warm Shelter”.
“LGBTIQ Community is my second home and my warm shelter. Although this year we cannot meet face to face but we still keep each other in our thoughts, keep communicate and remind each other to be well prevented from Corona Virus. So, we are not alone.” Said Sao Prostoch, RoCK member from Kampong Speu province.
The theme showcase the needs and vision for Cambodia to be a warm shelter LGBTIQ community. A warm shelter is a place that recognize, support and protect for our identity and our love. Align with celebration H.E Keo Remy, Delegate Minister to Prime Minister and President of Cambodia Human Rights Committee,shared his encouraging message to RoCK thatthe Royal Government of Cambodia creates such an enabling environment for LGBTIQ community, especially the public statement of the Prime Minister in supporting the elimination of discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ people, which the group could do public awareness raising activities on this important issue in different platforms. He continues with the belief that change starts from individual to family, to community, and to the whole society.
Each and all of the key actors has roles to play in order to create warm shelter for each other. When the Covid-19 is threatening public health, livelihood and economic globally, LGBTIQ individuals who are also doctors, garment workers, farmers, and services providers, act on our parts in the struggle to overcome the obstacle. Simultaneously, we are also impacted in the same or similar ways to other citizens of the world. Therefore, we would like to share our loves and strengths in humanity to Cambodian people and everyone around the globe through a short clip.
Everyone could also join us by sharing your supportive message about warm shelter and post on your social media, and insert #warmshelter #CambodiaPride2020 #IDAHOTB. Please stay tune with RoCK’s page @RoCKHMERLGBT2009
For event inquiry, please contact to 012 481 561 or [email protected]
[1]What is May 17? https://may17.org/about/
