The public event “Thuc Tinh Don Cau Vong” (Awakening To The Rainbow) will be held in four biggest cities in Vietnam on May 17 to celebrate The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

The event will be organized by the Vietnamese LGBT (Lesbian – Gay – Bisexual and Transgender) Community, with the help of the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE) and the Information Connecting and Sharing Group (ICS).

In Hanoi, it will take place at 8 – 10 pm on May 11th at the Octagon House at the Ly Thai To Garden.

On May 12th, it will happen at the Labor Culture Palace in Ho Chi Minh City, located at 55B on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in District 1, at 4 – 7 pm, and, at Luong The Vinh Secondary Shool, located at 247 on 30/4 Street in Can Tho City, from 8 to 10 am, as well as at Tuyen Son Sport in Da Nang City from 5 to 7 pm.

Activities include sharing knowledge on homosexual, bisexual and transsexual matters, calling for one million signatures to support same-sex marriages, conversing with homosexual, bisexual and transsexual people and their parents, and flashmob dancing.

Since the World Health Organization (WHO) abolished homosexuality as an illness on May 17, 1990, the day has been chosen as The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

It is one of the biggest events in some developed countries, where people even parade around to call for equality between people, while in Vietnam, the day is becoming more popular with not only homosexual, bisexual and transsexual people but also for others.

The event is a way to awake the Vietnamese long-standing cultural spirit which is never created by hate or prejudice, with the hope that homosexual, bisexual and transsexual people can have the right to be loved and their parents will no longer be ridiculed.

In addition, other activities with the same purpose will be held this month, such as the music shows “Awakening”, “Live Proud” and “To Walk Freedom” to be held on May 4th, 10th and 18th, the lesbian exhibition “Purple” on the 10th, the musical play “Query and Exclamation” on the 15th, and many others.

Moreover, a special event to conclude the campaign will be organized on May 25th..