Hand Holding Swings!

A Day In Hand, a initiative inviting people to take pictures of themselves holding the hand of someone of their sex regardless of sexual orientation, had its official launch in London during International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), May 17th.

About 100 people gathered in Southwark to see - and adopt - a photo from a selection of hundreds gathered over the past few months of same-sex people holding hands in public places.

UK IDAHO co-ordinator Derek Lennard took time out from his schedule to promote the event and talked about the photo he had taken with his partner and a gang of punks.

A Day In Hand co-ordinator Dave Watkins spoke of the importance of the project and played an excerpt of a radio broadcast with a couple of (straight male) Southampton DJs who walked through the High Street hand in hand for 10 minutes and spoke of their feelings.

Schools OUT and LGBT History Month co-ordinators Sue Sanders and Tony Fenwick also spoke at the event, along with the amazing teacher Ellie Barnes and No Outsiders' Mark Jennett.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence graced us with their presence and everyone held hands for a group photo at the end.

"Watch out. This is the beginning of something big!" said Tony.

Visit www.adayinhand.com for more information and to view the pictures.