Tuesday, 12th May 09

To mark IDAHO 2009, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation are leading a campaign across Greater Manchester to mark the day.  Funded by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, we have launched "Flying the Flag", a campaign to encourage local authorities and other organisations such as the NHS, Police, Fire and education establishments from across the County to fly a rainbow flag from their buildings to mark International Day Against Homophobia.

This idea was suggested on IDAHO 2008, where The Lesbian & Gay Foundation delivered a ground breaking event in partnership with Tameside Third Sector Coalition to mark IDAHO. On the day, many organisations across the borough flew the Rainbow Flag.  The feedback from the general public was incredibly positive and many felt it was a sign that attitudes are changing.

A number of organisations have already committed to flying the flag for 2009 with more signing up every day, including:

* Bury Youth Services
* Dukinfield Town Hall
* Greater Manchester Police
* HM Prison Manchester
* Oldham Libraries
* Oldham Town Hall
* Manchester Town Hall
* Sale Town Hall
* Salford City Council
* Tameside Youth Services
* Trafford Town Hall
* University of Manchester

Darren Knight, Development Manager at the Lesbian & Gay Foundation comments: "This initiative not only aims to raise awareness of IDAHO outside of the LGB&T community and ensure that the day is marked, understood and embraced by everyone; showing support for LGB&T people living in Greater Manchester. It also aims to promote that everyone, regardless of difference, is equal; whether it be a different religion or belief, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, someone with a disability or indeed sexual orientation."

If you live, work or socialise in Greater Manchester on 17 May 2009 and there are no Rainbow Flags flying from public buildings, no publicised local IDAHO activities, events or initiatives or specific campaigns that mark this date, then The Lesbian & Gay Foundation will actively encourage and support you in working towards making a positive change in your area to ensure that IDAHO and other specific dates in the calendar supporting LGB&T people are marked in future years.

If you would like to discuss this campaign any further, please contact Darren Knight, Development Manager at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation on 0161 235 8035 or email: darren@lgf.org.uk.