CAAWS Joins Fondation Émergence to mark
International Day Against Homophobia

May 15, 2009

Ottawa, ON. . . Spearheaded by Fondation Émergence, a theme-day set aside for the fight against homophobia was first organised in Québec on June 4, 2003, and designated as the National Day Against Homophobia. Other countries have now marked the day and it has become known as the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). May 17, 2009, will be the seventh edition of the IDAHO.

The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) is joining with Fondation Émergence to note the day. “CAAWS has been a leader in Canadian sport and society by creating tools to help organizations learn, understand and eliminate homophobia in organizations”, said Karin Lofstrom, CAAWS Executive Director. “We are proud to have opened up honest dialogue on the issue several years ago by preparing a position paper. That has evolved into workshops and resources to help people understand homophobia and the negative impact it can have on athletes, coaches, and organizations, regardless of their sexual orientation. We endorse the concept that the fight against homophobia should be an everyday effort.”

May 17th was chosen because it was a significant date which marked improvement of the status of gays and lesbians. In removing homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses on May 17, 1991, the World Health Organisation (WHO) put an end to over a century of homophobia in the medical field. As a result, this date was proposed for annually holding a day set aside to fight homophobia.

More information about the International Day Against Homophobia can be found at:
www.fondationemergence.org

About CAAWS
CAAWS provides leadership, education and builds capacity to foster equitable support, diverse opportunities and positive experiences for girls and women in sport and physical activity. CAAWS envisions an equitable sport and physical activity system in which girls and women are actively engaged as participants and leaders. A not-for-profit organization, CAAWS offers a number of services, programs and resources to a variety of clients, including sport and physical activity organizations, teachers, coaches, health professionals and recreation leaders. CAAWS works in close co-operation with government and non-government organizations on activities and initiatives that advocate for positive change for young girls and women in the sport and physical activity communities. Visit www.caaws.ca for more information.