International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)

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

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia’s (IDAHOBIT) goal is to raise awareness about LGBT+ rights across the world and inspire everyone to take action to support the rights of people with different sexual orientations and gender identities who make up the LGBT+ community.

When is this awareness day celebrated?

Every year International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia takes place on 17th May.

The original organisers of International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia chose this date to celebrate and remember the World Health Organisation’s decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder on this day in 1990, which was a landmark moment for the LGBT+ rights movement.

Why do we need this day for the LGBTQ+ community?

International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia is a reminder that although LGBTQ+ representation is increasing, and many more individuals including friends, family, and colleagues are feeling safer to be more seen and visible, hate crimes are also increasing and LGBTQ+ individuals still face barriers daily.

For example, in the UK the number of transgender hate crimes that occurred in 2020/21 was 2,799, the number increased to 4,355 in 2021/22.

The number of sexual orientation hate crimes increased in the UK from 18,596 in 2020/21 to 26,152 in 2021/22.

IDAHOBIT is an opportunity for organisations to shine a light on the discrimination the LGBT+ community experiences and encourage and promote LGBT+ inclusion

Important facts about this awareness day

Here are a few quick facts about International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia:

• This year’s IDAHOBIT theme is: ‘Together always: united in Diversity’. The theme allows for advocacy and celebrations in many forms – whether you’re part of a human rights organisation, an LGBT+ network or an ally looking to raise awareness.
• Depending on where you are in the world, IDAHOBIT is also known as ‘May 17th’, but in the UK it’s more commonly recognised as International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia.
• IDAHOBIT began as a concept in 2004 when thousands of individuals and a number of organisations came together to support what was known as the ‘International Day Against Homophobia initiative’.
• International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal.

How to celebrate International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia in the workplace

There are numerous ways to commemorate IDAHOBIT at work, including:

• Download our International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia factsheet and get some ideas on how to participate.
• If your colleagues feel safe sharing their experiences as a member of the LGBT+ community, invite them to webinars and events to share why IDAHOBIT is important to them.
• Share videos, blogs, podcasts, and talks on the LGBTQ+ community. For example, public speaker and human rights defender Maria Munir shares why International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia is important to them.
• Book to attend our webinar on Combatting Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia on 17th May
• Make your workplace LGBT+ friendly every day of the year by downloading our LGBTQ+ guide which shares advice on how to create an inclusive environment for LGBT+ colleagues
• Use the bitesize inclusion toolkit to facilitate conversations about LGBT+ topics and encourage understanding and awareness.

More support to embed LGBT+ awareness

If reading this has inspired you to take more action to support the LGBTQ+ community in your workplace Inclusive Employers would love to work with you to make this happen. If you’re a member and need more support with this please talk to your account manager about this at your next catch-up. If you’re not yet a member, please use the form below to start the conversation.