Every year May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT for short). You can read about what this day means and why the date is important here.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia is celebrated on May 17th, because on this day the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. That was 1990 and a liberation for the LGBTQIA* community. By the way, in English the day is called IDAHOBIT, which is short for “International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia”.
The IDAHOBIT was decided back in 2004 to draw attention to the ongoing violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, as well as all diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions and gender characteristics.
The day was originally led by the IDAHO Committee, but the initiative is now led collectively by a collaboration between regional and thematic networks that advocate for the rights of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions and sex characteristics. This connects organizations and initiatives at global, regional, national and local levels.
IDAHOBIT is currently celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 countries where same-sex activity is illegal. Thousands of initiatives, both small and large, have been registered all over the world.
The IDAHOBIT is also officially recognized by some states, as well as international institutions such as the European Parliament and countless local communities. Many UN authorities organize special events on this day.
The motto of IDAHOBIT 2024 is “No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all”. The motto is with LGBTQIA* organizations from all over the world The organizers of IDAHOBIT write on the website may17.org:
“The world has just celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – a document that is much more than a cornerstone of international law: it is a guide for navigating a deeply divided world, a set of values by which everyone can live, and ultimately a force for good.
And yet we know that “All people are born free and equal in dignity and rights” represents a promise that has not yet been fulfilled – for LGBTIQ people everywhere and for all who experience the crushing impact of various layers of inequalities on their lives.”
Further information about events and background information can be found on the website.
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