International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (its abbreviation is IDAHOBIT) is a celebration of diversity and raises awareness of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTIQ+) people.

History

As a concept, International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia was established in 2004. A year-long campaign culminated in the first International Day against Homophobia on May 17th 2005. 24,000 individuals individuals as well as organizations such as the International Lesbian and Lesbian Association (ILGA), the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), the World Congress of LGBT Jews, and the Coalition for Human Rights. African lesbians signed a call to support the "IDAHO initiative". The day's activities took place in many countries, including the first ever LGBT events in Congo, China and Bulgaria. May 17th was chosen specifically to commemorate the World Health Organization's decision in 1990 to consider homosexuality a mental disorder.

In 2009, transphobia was added to the campaign's name, and that year's activities mainly focused on transphobia (violence and discrimination against transgender people). A new petition was launched in partnership with LGBT organizations in 2009 and supported by more than 300 NGOs from 75 countries, as well as three Nobel laureates (Elfriede Jelinek, Françoise Barré- Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier) support. On the eve of May 17, 2009, France became the first country in the world to officially remove transgenderism from its list of mental illnesses.

Frenchman Louis-Georges Tin founded that day, and served as Chairman of the Commission until his resignation in September 2013. He was succeeded by rights activist, lawyer and law professor. World-famous Venezuelan, Tamara Adrián, who became one of the first transgender legislators in Latin America in 2015.

Louis-Georges Tin and two other members of the Commission began a hunger strike in June 2012 to urge French President Hollande to introduce a United Nations resolution on the elimination of homosexuality.

Biphobia was added to the campaign’s name in 2015.

The Yuan Interpretation Enforcement Act No. 748 legalizing same-sex marriage in Taiwan was passed on International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia 2019, with the law taking effect on May 24, 2019.

As of 2019, 69 countries still criminalize same-sex relationships, which mean millions of gay, lesbian and bisexual people cannot live their lives openly at a disproportionate risk of global violence. IDAHOBIT is often used as a platform to organize initiatives to advance the fight for the rights of LGBT+ groups in many countries, even in those (such as Uganda) where homosexuality criminalized.

The social consciousness of awareness of these persistent issues is gaining more and more attention as several key players in the current global landscape voice their approval and support for the initiative. These include a statement issued by the 46th and incumbent president of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., outlining his endorsement and recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. In the published statement, the president went so far as to emphasize that his support will be combined with continued support to build and take further actions to reduce discrimination. LGBTQIA+ in communities refers to the Equality Act which as of October 2021 remains an unpassed bill.

Additionally, on the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia May 17th, 2021, Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, issued a statement about the Canadian government's support for the LGBTQ2 community of this country. He made it clear to emphasize everyone's role in society to create a safe environment where people can thrive and live their lives to the fullest. Efforts were made in developing the first federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan mentioned as well as the passage of “laws that fully protect gender identity and expression”, creating a safe and full of hope for the future.

How to celebrate the day

• Visit the galleries to learn more about how people who identify as LGBT+ have shaped our lives in art, literature, science, technology, sports and more.
• A joint exhibition with Arts in Mind celebrates the benefits of art for our mental health and well-being.
• Along with the artists, Atkins Building is also excited to welcome our new cafe business, Hansom Café. The team at Hansom Café joined the Atkins Building in November 2020 and is ready to serve visitors to the Atkins Gallery. The cafe has spacious indoor seating and outdoor seating on raised wooden decks in the backyard at the Atkins Building
• Hansom Café features a cozy traditional menu, classic breakfasts and lunches, and cakes and sweets. They also have sandwiches and party platters for home events and work meetings.

LGBTIQ+ people still face serious challenges in their daily lives. With 69 countries still criminalizing same-sex relationships, millions of lesbian, gay and bisexual people live in fear of who they are and who they love. Transgender people face punishment in at least 26 countries and experience unprecedented levels of violence globally.