Today we celebrate International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). It was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.
The day represents a major global annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, corporations, opinion leaders and local authorities, to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.
May 17th is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. The date was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organisation’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
Initially managed by the IDAHO Committee, the initiative is now collectively managed in collaboration between regional and thematic networks. This collaboration brings together organisations and initiatives at global, regional, national and local levels, where thousands of initiatives will take place around the world today to celebrate #IDAHOBIT2019.
To see what’s happening around the world today, check out: https://may17.org/
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