International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

The struggle isn’t just about being straight or gay or transgender – it’s a human struggle. That’s always really been my kind of starting point: If you’re out there and you’re odd, come over to my house.

Boy George

While there has been a growing movement among the LGBTQ+ community to be heard, to be legitimized, and to be accepted as the diverse and wonderful human beings they are, there is nothing new about their struggle.

Across cultures and generations, these orientations have existed, and the fear and lack of understanding of their community have made it difficult to live proud and as an equal part of the world.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT) exists to raise awareness of the realities of the LGBTQ+ communities lives and to help erase these phobias through understanding.

How to Celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

The best way to participate in the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is to be an active ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Learn everything you can about the lives they lead and the struggles they face in terms of violence and bigotry, and work to create a space where they can be heard and be legitimized in your life.

If you have a member of your family or friend group who is a member of this community (and you almost certainly do) try to reach out to them and let them know that you’re there to support them and that you can be a safe place for them.

History of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

The world can be a scary place for members of the LGBTQ+ community, even in those countries where they aren’t actively criminalized and prosecuted. In America, the fear and misunderstanding of this community lead to violent hate crimes based on ignorance and bigotry, with individuals being murdered, marginalized, and otherwise subject to the worst kinds of treatment.

You can imagine how bad it can be in other parts of the world like China, Russia, and the Middle East where those who are part of this community are not just actively prosecuted, but afforded no protections or even basic human rights.

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was established in 2004 to help bring these people together and to make a display of solidarity around the world while working to face these issues and enact social change around the world.

The event got its start through the efforts of a Frenchman named Louis-Georges Tin, who served as the day’s committee chairperson until 2013. The day was originally called International Day against Homophobia. Then in 2009, ‘transphobia’ was added after being petitioned and 2015 brought about the inclusion of ‘biphobia’ into the title.

The date for this event is celebrated as a nod to the United Nations’ monumental decision to remove homosexuality from its list of menntal illnesses, a decision that was enacted on May 17, 1990.

Every day members of this community fight the good fight in the face of intimidation and work hard to bring about equality and the freedom to love without boundaries, but this day is a particularly important one to note and take action!