- 70
- FLAGS
- TO
- GO
Homosexuality is in the criminal code in 70 countries*. A quarter of the world’s population, around 2 billion people, live in a country where homosexuality is punishable by law. In 11 of these countries the penalty for homosexuality is death and in 2 countries the death penalty has recently been carried out.
The Zero Flags Project is a countdown to zero flags. In this we work together with organisations such as Pride Amsterdam, ILGA, the UNHCR, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Equal Rights Coalition. We will continue our countdown until the only flag remaining is the rainbow flag and the whole world lives in sexual- and gender freedom.
*The Zero Flags Project follows the ILGA World State-Sponsored Homophobia report which is a fundamental resource for those interested in accessing the core information on legislation affecting people on the basis of their sexual orientation. You can download the 2020 report here
LATEST EVENTS
AMSTERDAM
Pride Walk
July 30
When the Pride Walk entered the main entrance of the Vondelpark the participants were greeted by the flag carriers lining the path on both sides. The flag carriers were holding a flag and a sign with the name of the country and the punishment for homosexuality.
After the Pride Walk had passed they joined the Pride Walk as a closing group and delivered the flags to the Zero Flags Project spot in Pride Park which was visited all day by passersby informing themselves about the fact that in too many countries it is still illegal to be homosexual.
AMSTERDAM
Monument of Visibility
July 29 – August 7
The Monument of Visibility of the Zero Flags Project consists of the flags of the countries where homosexuality is in the Criminal Code. During Pride Amsterdam the flags were hanging from 6 meter high flagpoles along the footpath of the Museumplein. Each flag pole carried a sign stating the name of the country and the punishment for homosexuality.
During the opening of the Monument of Visibility Afak Shahoud form Syrai/Lebanon, Mohamed Koroma from Sierra Leone and Zee Salem from Egypt explained why as LGBTIQ+ refugees they had to leave their family, friends and country behind in order for them to be able to be themselves.
Afak Shahoud – Syria/Lebanon
Mohamed Koroma – Sierra Leone
Zee Salem – Egypt
NIJMEGEN
Monument of Visibility
July 26 – August 2
During the Eurogames Nijmegen the flags of countries where homosexuality is in the Criminal Code were hanging from 6 meter high flagpoles along the Waalkade next to the site of the opening and closing of the EuroGames. Each flag pole carried a sign stating the name of the country and the punishment for homosexuality.
On July 26 during a short ceremony the Monument of Visibility was officially opened by Alderman Vergunst, on behalf of the Municipal Executive of Nijmegen.
