SUPPORTERS are urged to join a stand against hate crime and help form a human rainbow in the centre of Bolton.

It is hoped 1,500 people will attend a rally promoting sexual and gender diversity in Victoria Square at 12.30pm on Tuesday (May 17) as part of IDAHOBIT (the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphoria and Transphobia).

The celebration and call-to-arms has been organised by Bolton Pride and the LGBT Bolton group in conjunction with police in Bolton and Bolton Council.

Mark Geary, co-founder of Bolton Pride and LGBT Bolton, said: "IDAHOBIT is a worldwide event which allows communities to come together to stand up to hate crime and that is what we are passionate about.

"There is no greater power than people standing together.

"Council members, community leaders, teachers, straight allies and residents, we urge you all to join us on May 17 at 12.30pm, in the heart of Bolton.

"Together we can stand up to hate crime and send a clear message that it shall not be tolerated in our fantastic town."

Annual landmark IDAHBOIT began in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBT people internationally.

The date of May 17 was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization's decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.

Participants in Bolton's rally – expected to be the largest to date – will create the human rainbow by holding colour cards above their heads.

Detective Inspector Charlotte Cadden, the hate crime leader at Bolton police, said: "The diversity of our communities is one of the things that makes Bolton a great place to live, work and socialise and I will be proud to stand alongside friends, colleagues and residents on May 17 in celebration of IDAHOBIT2016.

"However, we must also remember that homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime unfortunately still takes place and this is completely unacceptable.

"On May 17, we will be sending out a clear message that this kind of behaviour is not welcome in our community and I encourage anybody who has fallen victim, to report it and we will support you."