International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

 

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Known as IDAHOBIT for short, this date was chosen as it commemorates the date of the decision to remove homosexuality from classification as a mental illness by the World Health Organisation in 1990. 

This milestone prompted various LGBTQ+ activists to advocate for a day dedicated to raising awareness about the discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide. 

Finally, in 2004, IDAHOTB was officially established and it was first celebrated in 2005 after a year-long campaign around the concept. 24,000 individuals as well as organisations such as the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) signed an appeal to support the ‘IDAHO initiative’. 

In the UK, the campaign was coordinated by the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA). Since its launch in 2004, it has grown into a globally recognised day of solidarity and activism. 

The significance of IDAHOTB lies in its mission to promote tolerance, acceptance, and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, while also highlighting the ongoing challenges they face in terms of discrimination, violence, and inequality. 

Every year, thousands of initiatives are documented across the world. IDAHOBIT is currently marked in 155 countries and territories, including 35 where consensual same-sex acts are still criminalised. The day has received official recognition from several States, international institutions including the European Parliament, and countless local authorities. Most United Nations agencies also mark the day with specific events.

72 countries have laws that criminalise same-sex relationships. Out of these countries, 11 of them use the death penalty and 9 have sentences of life imprisonment.These statistics alone show why campaigns such as International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) are needed. Because one person being imprisoned because of their sexuality or gender is one too many.

Though unfortunately, despite some landmark changes occurring since then, Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is still a rampant global issue and, although some countries may seem like the idyllic safe haven for LGBT+ people, beneath the surface there are still frequent examples of discrimination, repression and violence towards the LGBT+ community within these countries. 

LGBTQI+ workers frequently experience violence, bullying and harassment, discrimination and exclusion because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.As the authoritarian extreme right continue to gain traction in many countries; racism, xenophobia and discrimination targeting LGBTQI+ people, women, migrants and racialised people is on the rise.

 IDAHOBIT, observed on May 17th, is key in this global cause as the main purpose for its creation was to raise awareness of violence, discrimination, and repression of LGBT communities worldwide. 

The hopes were that this would then provide an opportunity to take action and engage in dialogue with the media, policymakers, public opinion, and wider civil society. 

The day serves as a reminder of the need for continued efforts to combat homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia in all forms, whether it’s institutionalized discrimination, societal prejudices, or individual acts of hate. .

Research by Stonewall, the national LGBT charity found that one in five LGBT people have experienced a hate crime because of their sexual orientation in the past year and over half of trans people have been subjected to a hate crime due to their gender identity.  

Around a quarter of LGBT people avoid some streets due to safety concerns and 13 per cent have been discriminated against in a bar, restaurant or club venue.Trans people in particular still experience appalling levels of abuse on social media and are on the receiving end of misinformation and direct attacks from TV and print media.

We may have legal protections, rights and defence against discrimination, but these progressions only do so much, can only change public perception and action so far. Plus, the delay in banning Conversion Therapy and the lack of progression in Trans rights has really hindered any further progress. 

As the authoritarian extreme right continue to gain traction in many countries; racism, xenophobia and discrimination targeting LGBTQI+ people, women, migrants and racialised people is on the rise.

Queer and trans people are facing a frightening rise in hate and violence, fuelled by those who punch down on marginalized communities to divide and distract us. We must  always speak out clearly and unapologetically against this hate.Today, I honour the activists and community members who continue that work every single day. 

More needs to be done, within the UK, across Europe, and globally, and that work will not stop until no person is persecuted or discriminated against because of their sexuality or gender identity.

This year’s theme, ‘At the Heart of Democracy’, reminds us that a democracy which excludes LGBTIQ+ people from participation is incomplete and  that  a true  deomocracy must  be grounded  in  justice  and  democracy for  everyone.  .

Raising awareness of IDAHOTB is crucial in fostering a more inclusive and accepting society. International Day Against Homophoia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHBOIT) is an opportunity to drive positive change and to remember that there is still a way to go until all LGBTQ+ people are free and safe from harm. Everyone deserves to live safely, openly, and fully as themselves.