NELFA PRESS RELEASE
#IFED2017: Love makes a family! Join the celebrations worldwide of the 6th International Family Equality Day
The 6th International Family Equality Day (IFED) will be commemorated worldwide on May 7th as a sign of solidarity and pride to promote equality for all families. In 2016, IFED was celebrated in 74 towns and 36 countries. This year, six new countries will join the IFED family: Argentina, Belize, Brazil, China, the Philippines and Thailand. This year’s motto is “Love makes a family”.
The first IFED was launched in 2012 and the Council of Europe has recognised it as an important tool to combat homophobia and transphobia and to promote a tolerant and cohesive society. The period of activities this year goes from May 7th to May 17th, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), as the focus of IDAHOT this year is “Families”. We invite advocates for LGBTIQ* equality, their friends and allies to take action in support of diverse and safe families.
IFED celebrations cover a broad range of initiatives: from surveys and guidelines, photo competitions, exhibitions, boat tours, picnics, children’s workshop for diversity to movie screenings, story telling or panel discussions – it’s possible to celebrate family diversity in so many ways. One particular highlight will be the first Asia-Pacific Rainbow Families Forum in Hong Kong, which will raise awareness of the existence of rainbow families in the Asia-Pacific region and highlight the importance of family support, highlighting the urgent need for recognition, protection and equal treatment of rainbow families and LGBTIQ* persons.
You can find an overview of the activities here: https://internationalfamilyequalityday.org/live/
Caroline Ausserer, NELFA Board Member and liaison person to IFED, says, “IFED motivates people to join this global networking, to support each other and to share resources, knowledge and privileges. We want to make family diversity visible, in particular for those who are unable to raise their own profile. We want to stand up for the rights for all families.”
The IFED founder, Maria von Känel, adds, “I am glad that IFED is gaining popularity all over the world. Our message is clear: all kinds of families have a right to non-discrimination and need to be socially and legally recognised. With IFED we empower each other and strengthen and celebrate family diversity worldwide.”
Here you will find further information: IFED Website: http://www.internationalfamilyequalityday.org GET INSPIRED: http://internationalfamilyequalityday.org/wordpress/highlights/ GET INVOLVED: http://internationalfamilyequalityday.org/wordpress/get-involved/ BEST PRACTICE: http://internationalfamilyequalityday.org/wordpress/annual-reports/ IFED Facebook Creative Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/500398236747224/ IFED International Mailing List: E-Mail queries to info@internationalfamilyequalityday.org
Yours cordially,
Network of European LGBTIQ* Families Associations, on behalf of the International Family Equality Day (IFED) Network
About NELFA: NELFA is the European platform of LGBTIQ* families associations, bringing together LGBTIQ* parents and parents-to-be from all over Europe. NELFA currently represents 32 organisations in 19 European countries with more than 26,500 members. NELFA is a member of ILGA-Europe and Transgender Europe.
Website: http://www.nelfa.org
Download our new leaflet:
Download our recent NELFA Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2ntlSY5
Further contacts:
Maria von Känel (IFED Coordinator): +41 79 611 06 71
