Campaigning to end homophobia

Author talks about the global fight for equality

Published: November 21, 2008 5:05 a.m.

Last modified: November 21, 2008 2:07 a.m.

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Louis-Georges Tin described the day of the United States election as one of the happiest and unhappiest days of his life — as both a step forward and step backward for equality.

The 34-year-old French academic is speaking at Simon Fraser University today about his global campaign to end homophobia.

He said that when Barack Obama was elected president it signalled a major step forward in the fight for racial equality.

But that milestone was offset by the vote in California to ban gay marriage, taking away equal rights for the gay and lesbian community, he said.

“The problem in California is not only California’s problem, it’s a problem for all countries,” he said.

Tin, who also spoke yesterday at the University of B.C., is the author of The Dictionary Of Homophobia and founder of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), launched in 2005.

“It’s obvious that Canada is one of the leaders in the world for gay rights,” he said. “However, keep in mind that gay bashing remains a reality, including here in Vancouver.”

Tin is taking his campaign for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality to the United Nations in December.

“We need to be aware of the situation around the world. Not just in countries where (homosexuality) is condemned, but in our (liberal) countries.”