GLAAD is joining the Bisi Alimi Foundation and its partner organizations across the African continent and diaspora for a pan-African virtual event to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, & Transphobia (also known as IDAHOBIT).

Featuring a panel comprising of Julian Walker (Actor – Blackbird, Being Mary Jane), Marquise Vilson (Actor – Law and Order, Tales of the City), Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (Co-founder and Executive Director, UK Black Pride), Darnell More (Author and Inclusion at Netflix), Tshepo Ricki Kgositau (Executive Director of Accountability International), and Bisi Alimi (Executive Director, Bisi Alimi Foundation), the event is the first of its kind in Africa, capitalising on the current impact of COVID19 and creating a virtual space where every African can actively be part of the celebration.

“We will mark IDAHOBIT this year under the theme ‘Breaking the Silence’ because the coronavirus has silenced many of our voices. However, we know that speaking up about who we are is absolutely essential for LGBTQ Africans,” said Bisi Alimi, Executive Director of the Bisi Alimi Foundation. “It is only by breaking the silence that we can unify and overcome the challenges that face us.”

“We are proud to be one of the organisations partnering on this Pan African event for IDAHOBIT 2020.” said Zelly Lisanework, co-founder of House of Guramayle.” During this time of physical distancing and social isolation, it is vital that we are  ‘Breaking the Silence’ and amplifying the voices of LGBTQ Africans across the world.

The media partners include Kuchu Times (Uganda), Queercity Podcast (Nigeria), and Nostring Media (Nigeria). GLAAD is one of nine community partners for the event, along with House of Guramayle (Ethiopia), Living Free (UK), INCRESE (Nigeria), LGBT9nja (Nigeria), Trans for Human Rights in Nigeria Now, Dynamic Initiative for Healthcare and Human Rights (Nigeria), Alliance for Dynamics Initiative in Nigeria, and Alliance for Dynamics Initiative in Ghana.

The event can be viewed at 3:00pm British/10:00am Eastern/7:00am Pacific on Sunday, May 17, via the Facebook pages of The Bisi Alimi Foundation, Living Free UK, House of Guramayle, and Kuchu Times.

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About IDAHOBIT

May 17, 1990 is the day the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) celebrates LGBTIQ people globally, and raise awareness for the work still needed.

About The Bisi Alimi Foundation

The Bisi Alimi Foundation (BAF) is a charity established in 2015 and registered in England and Wales following the enactment of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2013 (SSMPA) in Nigeria. The Foundation works towards a Nigeria where everyone is equal irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity with a focus on four thematic areas, so as to contribute towards influencing opinions and views on LGBT issues in Nigeria.