What is IDAHOBIT and what does it stand for?
IDAHOBIT stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. It is an annual celebration that takes place on May 17th to commemorate the day in 1990 when the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. The day is now observed in over 130 countries around the world, with a particular focus on raising awareness of the discrimination and violence faced by LGBTIQ+ people.
IDAHOBIT is an important day for everyone who believes in equality and respect for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is a day to stand up against hate and bigotry, and to show support for the LGBTIQ+ community.
There are many ways to get involved in IDAHOBIT. You can attend a local event, donate to a LGBTIQ+ organisation, or simply show your support on social media. Whatever you do, make sure you stand up for equality this IDAHOBIT!
Why do we need a day to celebrate diversity and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people?
There are many reasons why we need a day to celebrate diversity and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people. One reason is that LGBTQIA+ people still face discrimination and violence in many parts of the world. This is especially true for transgender and gender non-conforming people, who often suffer from higher levels of violence and discrimination.
Another reason is that LGBTQIA+ people still don’t have full equality in many countries. For example, same-sex marriage is not legal in many places, and transgender people often do not have the same rights as cisgender people (people whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth). This means that there is still a lot of work to be done in order to achieve equality for all LGBTQIA+ people.
IDAHOBIT is necessary because LGBTIQ+ people face discrimination and violence all over the world. This day provides an opportunity for people to stand up against hate and bigotry, and to show their support for the LGBTIQ+ community. It is also a chance to raise awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ people, and to call for equality and respect for all.
What are the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community that this day seeks to address?
Some of the specific challenges faced by the LGBTIQ+ community that IDAHOBIT seeks to address include:
– Violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people;
– The criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ people in many countries;
– The lack of legal recognition for same-sex relationships in many countries;
– The lack of legal protection for LGBTIQ+ people against discrimination;
– The lack of legal recognition for transgender and intersex people;
– The lack of access to healthcare and other services for LGBTIQ+ people.
What progress has been made since the first IDAHOBIT celebration in 1990?
Since the first IDAHOBIT celebration in 1990, there has been significant progress made towards equality for LGBTIQ+ people around the world.
Some of the progress that has been made includes:
– The decriminalisation of homosexuality in many countries;
– The legalisation of same-sex marriage in several countries;
– The introduction of legal protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in many countries;
– The increasing visibility of LGBTIQ+ people in the media and popular culture.
However, there is still much work to be done in order to achieve full equality for LGBTIQ+ people. IDAHOBIT provides an important opportunity to continue fighting for equality, and to show support for the LGBTIQ+ community.
How can you support IDAHOBIT and the LGBTQIA+ community?
There are many ways to support IDAHOBIT and the LGBTIQ+ community. You can attend a local event, donate to a LGBTIQ+ organisation, or simply show your support on social media. Whatever you do, make sure you stand up for equality this IDAHOBIT!
Some specific ways you can support the LGBTIQ+ community include:
– Showing your support on social media;
– donating to LGBTIQ+ organisations;
– attending a local event;
– speaking out against discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ+ people;
– supporting initiatives that promote equality and respect for all.
How to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community
If you are not part of the LGBTIQ+ community, you can still show your support by being an ally. This means standing up against discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ+ people, and speaking out in favour of equality and respect for all.
Joanne Lockwood is an Inclusion and Belonging Specialist with SEE Change Happen and works with organisations throughout the UK, Europe and Elsewhere – speaking, training, and consulting.
She can be reached via https://seechangehappen.co.uk
