In the week before this year’s International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHOT) on May 17th, numerous prayer vigils in remembrance of victims of homophobia will once again be held in several Italian cities, as well as in various other countries in Europe and South America.
During the lockdown each of us felt left at the margins, excluded and pushed away from our own community. LGBT people very often feel like this, for no other reason than the fact that they love the way God wanted them to.
That is why this year, LGBT Christians came together with mainstream Christian communities to organise several prayer vigils commemorating IDAHOBIT (the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia), as has been done since 2007.
The headline for this year’s commemoration was taken from 2 Corinthians 3:17 – “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” – a reminder that we should not stop fighting against any division, because we are all children of the same Father, brothers and sisters who welcome each other in our diversity.
In his public message message for vigils IDAHOBIT 2021, Mgt. Corrado Orefice, Archbishop catholic of Palermo, said: “In moments of crisis, and even more so during such an epoch-changing moment like this one, each society looks for scapegoats, which leads to brutal violence. May the commemoration of IDAHOBIT help to spread a message of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, that each human person may be recognised and welcomed”.
The Commission for Faith and Homosexuality of the Baptist, Methodist and Waldensian Churches in Italy said: “Even in this difficult situation, we want to remain supportive and open to our neighbour, and not give in to fear of contagion or, even worse, the contagion of fear.”
LGBT people and their brothers and sisters of good will from many Christian communities around the world hope that God and other people will hear their cries of grief and hope.
Will anyone listen to them? Will society and Christian communities ‘Enlarge the place of their tent’ (Isaiah 54), and make room for everyone, to become welcoming sanctuaries that support all LGBT people and all who suffer discrimination?
Prayer vigils in remembrance of victims of homophobia will be held in Italy with the support of Gionata, the Italian Project on Faith and Homosexuality and the international support of The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC)
Will you join us? More information on https://inveglia.wordpress.com/tag/english/ or www.gionata.org or email at gionatanews@gmail.com
Logo Interfaith Vigil IDAHOT > Logo 1, 2, 3
THE VERSE VIGILS OF PRAYER TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF HOMOPHOBIA & TRANSPHOBIA
Year 2022> 2 Corinthians 3:17 – where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
Year 2021> John 15:12 – Love one other, as I have loved you”
Year 2020> Galatians 3, 28 – There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Year 2019> Isaiah 43:1-4 – Have no fear, for I have taken up your cause; naming you by your name, I have made you mine. Because of your value in my eyes, you have been honoured, and loved by me
Year 2018> John 8:32 – The truth will make you free
Year 2017> Romans 12:14 – Give blessing and not curses to those who are cruel to you.
Year 2016> John 13:35 – By this it will be clear to all men that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another
Year 2015> Psalm 139:14 – I praise you because I am awesomely made, wonderfully; your works are wonders. My soul knows it very well
Year 2014> Romans, 15:7 – Accept one another just as Christ accepted you
Year 2013> 1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love!
Year 2012> 1 John 2:9 – Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness
Year 2011> Acts 10:28 – God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean
Year 2010> Romans 8:35 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Year 2009> John 4:18 – There is no fear in love
Year 2008> Martin Luther King – I have a dream
Year 2007> 2 Corinthians 5:17 – the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new
In Veglia / Interfaith Vigil / Las vigilias IDAHOT 