Same-sex love across the world: 'A Day In Hand' Campaign 5/17/09

A Day In Hand is asking people to upload photos of public, same-sex hand holding to www.adayinhand.com, register with the site and spread the word. Collectively, the photos will map the public presence of same-sex love across the world. Celebrities and public figures have been quick to get involved. Brian Paddick (I’m A Celebrity…) appeared in a photoshoot for the project, and activists Cleve Jones (Harvey Milk’s aide) and Peter Tatchell support the campaign.

A Day In Hand will seek to promote equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Trans (LGBT) people by inspiring and mobilising same-sex couples to publicly hold hands across the globe. It heralds a new movement in fighting for LGBT rights: a movement in which anybody, on any day, can contribute to. You don’t have to fight to change the world. Same-sex hand holding (sshh) is a silent revolution. Straight people are encouraged to take part in the project. 

David Watkins, group founder said,

"We want straight people to hold hands with someone of their same gender in public, and describe how it made them feel. This is an inclusive event and involving straight people will support a wider understanding of this issue. You don’t have to be gay to object to homophobia and embrace equality. Hand-holding crosses gender, age, orientation and geographical borders. We want to show that LGBT people are relevant to everyone, and that we live and breathe in all communities.”

A Day In Hand believes that increasing public visibility of LGBT people through hand holding will change the way communities understand same-sex relationships, and LGBT people.

Watkins, added,
“As individuals, LGBT people can stand proud, but as couples, who love and commit in every day life, we have no presence. Whilst laws are changing, cultural attitudes still need to be addressed. Equal rights are a necessity but we need equal respect too. Hand holding is a simple, liberating gesture that is essential to our communities’ health.”