Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), an annual event that aims to raise awareness of LGBT+ rights violations and encourage more people to join the fight against them.
The event was created in 2004 and is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. The date of 17th May was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organisation’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
That this change only happened within the last 50 years shows how much is still to be done. Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is still pervasive in society here in the UK and across the globe.
Last year it was reported that LGBT+ hate crime reports nearly tripled over the last five years, with a BBC report by Ben Hunte revealing 6,655 were reported in 2014/15 and a shocking 18,465 in 2019/20 – and these are just the ones that were reported.
This is why today is so important and why LCR Pride Foundation’s theme for this year – ‘From Now On’ – focuses on the same spirit of community and grassroots activism that IDAHOTB was founded in.
Over the next 12 months, we are calling on individuals, businesses and organisations to do their part to enact change. We are asking them to draw a line in the sand, challenge the issues that the LGBT+ community still faces and say ‘from now on, we’re doing things differently’.
This isn’t just about identifying and acknowledging the changes that are needed to ensure that LGBT+ people can live their authentic lives safely, happily and healthily. It’s about asking ‘what will I change?’ and then taking action.
In coming weeks we will be launching an activism portal that will allow people to engage in community activities, help improve the lives of LGBT+ people and ultimately make the city region the most LGBT+ friendly in the UK.
For more information about IDAHOTB and for information about events taking place around the world today, visit may17.org
