International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

What is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOTB)?

On May 17, 1990 the World Health Organization removed homosexuality as a mental disorder.
Each year on May 17th, IDAHOTB is celebrated to raise awareness of the violence, discrimination, and repression of LGBT communities worldwide

What is Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia?

Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia are a  range of negative attitudes and feelings, including hatred, prejudice, discrimination, and violence and feelings toward people who do not conform to heterosexuality or social gender expectations

About Intersectionality 

Interlocking systems of power and discrimination that affect those who are most marginalized in society. Those facing intersectional oppression, for example, Black trans women, are disproportionately at risk of violence across the globe. 

The Statistics

Globally
  • As of 2019, 69 countries still criminalize same-sex relationships.  
  • Over 2 billion people live in countries where homosexuality is illegal. 
  • The death penalty is a legal punishment for consensual same sex relationships in 11 of these countries
The Statistics - Nationally
  • According to 2010 Hate Crimes Statistics, 19.3 percent of hate crimes across the United States “were motivated by a sexual orientation bias”
  • Research by Stonewall, an international LGBT charity, found that one in five LGBT people have experienced a hate crime because of their sexual orientation in the past year.
  • Over half of trans people have been subjected to a hate crime due to their gender identity.
  • In 28 US states there are no explicit state level protections for LGBT employees. In these states, people can be legally fired for simply coming out as gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual at work. 

What needs to happen

States and countries must take a leading role in the fight against LGBTIphobia, including: 

  • Enacting laws that protect and promote LGBTI+ people’s rights
  • Holding trainings for key public officials such as members of justice and health systems
  • Leading awareness-raising campaigns
  • Banning conversion therapy
  • Affirming the right to workplaces free from harassment and violence

Stay Informed and Support the Work

This year, the global campaign theme is “Resisting, Supporting, and Healing Together,” and aims to recognize LGBTI+ activists and organizations around the globe. You can support LGBTI+ activists nationally and internationally through these organizations:

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGBTIA) 
global federation of 1,700+ orgs committed to LGBTI human rights

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Intersex Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO)a worldwide federation of 1801 member organisations from 168 countries campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex rights

All Out
works to build a world where no one has to sacrifice their family or freedom, safety or dignity, because of who they are or who they lovey

Amnesty International
international non-governmental organization focused on human rights

National LGBTQ Task Force
an American social justice advocacy non-profit[1] organizing the grassroots power of the LGBTQ community.

Immigration Equality
advocates for and directly represents LGBTQ and HIV-positive people in the immigration system

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
works through litigation and lobbying for human rights in the United States

Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund
committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, and public policy efforts

 In conclusion

Everyone in society has a role to help create a safe environment where everyone can flourish and live their lives to the fullest.


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