On the International Day Against Homophobia, IDS's Susie Jolly asks, 'What can development learn from queer movements?'

Launched on 17 May 2005, International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) marks the anniversary of the day the World Health Organisation declassified homosexuality as a mental illness in 1992. People around the world from Lebanon to Cuba, and from Burundi to Slovenia now celebrate the day. IDS is celebrating IDAHO 2010 with the launch of Sex, Gender and Development: Challenging Heteronormativity, co-published with Naz Foundation International.

Sex, Gender and Development: Challenging Heteronormativity presents images and quotations from activists, theorists and international organisations. The booklet considers ways to challenge oppression around gender and sexuality, loosening development's 'straightjacket'. Queer theory and activism provide insights as to how development can do justice to the diversity of people's social and sexual identities, livelihoods and living arrangements - whether heterosexual, homosexual or other formations.

Read the full article on ids.ac.uk.

Photo supplied by Naz Foundation International