It happens every month. Participants from as far away as China take a moment to hold hands with a same-sex partner or loved one and send a photo of the act to LGBT rights activist David Watkins’s campaign, A Day in Hand.
Watkins has put out the call again, for January 30, for as many participants as possible to take part in Same-Sex Hand Holding to increase the visibility of gay people and challenge stereotypes. Although many gay couples live in parts of the world where they cannot openly make this small gesture, they are all encouraged to participate as subtly and safely as they can.
Watkins said he hopes the campaign “really forces you to question your own attitudes and your attitudes toward your loved ones. It's OK to say you're out and proud, but can you put that into practice? When people break that barrier, it gets easier. It increases self-esteem and relationships.
"Another way to support it is just to talk about it as much as possible. We know that not everyone around the world can do it. Opening up debate is the most positive thing,” he said.
He urges LGBT people to remember, no matter how many rights they do or don’t have, that just being visible “can be difficult. You can't legislate for this." By collecting the photographs from around the world, he hopes to inspire individuals who feel disenfranchised and create a “domino effect.”
For more information and to see photos from participants around the globe, visit the A Day in Hand website, and don’t forget to send your photos to yourstories@adayinhand.com.
TELL US: Will you be participating on January 30? What other ways do you think LGBT individuals can increase and promote healthy visibility?
Image courtesy of Getty
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