So, here’s a couple of upcoming events for ya.

The World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases in the early ’90s. <Insert eye-roll at the WHO’s foot-dragging here.> May 17th was thus designated as International Day Against Homophobia and this year’s campaign focuses on healthcare workers and professionals:

I dunno about the poster, though. “STOP”? Stop what? Injecting people with antigay venom? The more I look at the poster the less clear the message. Regardless, it’s worth checking out the International Day Against Homophobia website and some of these tidbits:

Unfortunately, prejudice is deep-rooted. Some people continue to think that homosexuality is a mental disorder while others mistakenly believe that it can be cured. Specialists know that this is impossible. Bisexual and transgendered people experience the same prejudice as well.

CAMPAIGN 2008

Each year, worldwide campaigns against homophobia culminate on May 17 with the International Day Against Homophobia. As it traditionally does every year, the Fondation Émergence suggests that the new 2008 campaign puts front and centre one particular sector of human activity. This year, it will be healthcare.

The 2008 campaign highlights gay and lesbian health issues. Just like any other citizens, gays and lesbians need to receive health services free of discrimination.

Gay, lesbian, transgender and transsexual people must feel comfortable in consulting a healthcare professional. The International Day Against Homophobia for the year 2008 will be an opportune time to question current practices in the health and social services field, and to put forward new approaches.

CONVERSION THERAPIES

One of the methods created to attack or eliminate homosexuality has been conversion therapies, or so-called “reparative therapies”, which ex-gay and other anti-LGBT movements are still based on today. However, starting in the early 90’s, they have been discredited by virtually all major medical, psychiatric, and psychological organisations because there is no scientific basis for such therapies and they can cause more harm than good.

This campaign is particularly important for two reasons. Gays and lesbians must expect (and demand) the same level of health care afforded to the rest of the population and, since our health concerns can occasionally be significantly different from the rest of the population, we must feel completely comfortable in a candid and participatory relationship with our health care providers.

Secondly, and I know I’ve said this before — and you’d better believe I’ll say it again (and again (and again)) — you absolutely must discuss safer sex practices with your health care provider. Get the latest poop. Get tested. Get as much information as possible and don’t ever, ever think your questions or fears are dumb.

This year’s International Day Against Homophobia campaign is an important step in this direction. Check it out.

Hey, speaking of homophobia and prejudice, how about those fuckwads at that Florida high school? You know, the ones who wanted to prohibit rainbow-adorned clothing and stickers because they “would make students automatically picture gay people having sex”? Yeah, those fuckwads!

Well, they lost their case in the the Florida U.S. District Court.

Now, full disclosure: I can’t fucking stand rainbows. Flags, stickers, rings, jockstraps. And don’t get me started about a series of colours-of-the-rainbow teddy bears artfully arranged on your bedroom shelf. How can anyone have sex in such a bedroom? I can’t.

Of course, just because I can’t doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. And just because I can’t stand rainbow flags doesn’t mean I want them removed from, like, everywhere. They serve a useful purpose for some people and, like them or not, they also represent a rather pivotal stage in everyone’s coming out. So, yeah, they can stay.

I know my approval warms your heart.

As it turns out, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the rainbow flag as a symbol of gay identity and community. Gilbert Baker designed and flew the first rainbow flag in San Francisco in 1978, paving the way for my first gay kiss/fuck/boyfriend (same guy) the next year.

Swedish vodka maker Absolut is even getting in on the anniversary, with their Absolut Colors campaign. I’m not one to shill for or automatically patronize any big corporation that gives a nod to the gays but, hey, Absolut’s history of supporting gay artists and causes has been long and consistent so I’ll probably buy a bottle, rainbow (ugh) and everything. And hide it in the fridge. Or display it ironically. Yeah, that’s it: ironically.

Now, you and I may find the notion of pride flags silly and/or outdated (and/or horribly banal), but a little respect is due such a potent symbol of just how far we’ve come in the past 30 years. And it’s still a potent symbol for people just coming to terms with their sexuality and finding community and belonging. And, as Gilbert stresses in the article above:

We cannot take our freedoms for granted. Indeed there are still parts of the world where being gay is punishable, sometime by death. The Rainbow Flag inspires hope and makes us think. Our work to unite our community has only just begun.

Gaymen, brother. But please don’t ask me to put on one of those rainbow-festooned temporary tattoos. And respect my request to hide those damned rainbow teddy bears, please. At least until I’m out the door.