International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

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History

Louis-Georges Tin, founder of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Louis Georges Tin.jpg
Louis-Georges Tin, founder of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

The day, as a concept, was conceived in 2004. A year-long campaign culminated in the first International Day Against Homophobia on May 17, 2005. 24,000 individuals as well as organizations such as the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), the World Congress of LGBT Jews, and the Coalition of African Lesbians signed an appeal to support the "IDAHO initiative". Activities for the day took place in many countries, including the first LGBT events ever to take place in the Congo, China, and Bulgaria. [6] The date of May 17 was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. [7]

In 2009, transphobia was added to the name of the campaign, and activities that year focused primarily on transphobia (violence and discrimination against transgender people). A new petition was launched in cooperation with LGBT organizations in 2009, and it was supported by more than 300 NGOs from 75 countries, as well as three Nobel Prize winners (Elfriede Jelinek, Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, and Luc Montagnier). On the eve of May 17, 2009, France became the first country in the world to officially remove transgender issues from its list of mental illnesses. [8] [9]

Frenchman Louis-Georges Tin was founder of the day, and acted as its Committee Chairperson until his resignation in September 2013. He was succeeded by internationally renowned Venezuelan trans rights activist, lawyer and law professor Tamara Adrián, who became one of the first trans legislators in Latin America in 2015. [10]

Louis-Georges Tin and two other Committee members started a hunger-strike in June 2012 to urge the French president Hollande to introduce a UN resolution decriminalising homosexuality. [11]

Biphobia was added to the name of the campaign in 2015. [12]

The Enforcement Act of Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 748 that legalised same-sex marriage in Taiwan was passed on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia in 2019, [13] with the law coming into effect on 24 May 2019. [14]

Goals and activities

The main purpose of the May 17 mobilisations is to raise awareness of violence, discrimination, and repression of LGBT communities worldwide, which in turn provides an opportunity to take action and engage in dialogue with the media, policymakers, public opinion, and wider civil society.

One of the stated goals of May 17 is to create an event that can be visible at a global level without needing to conform to a specific type of action. [15] This decentralized approach is needed due to the diversity of social, religious, cultural, and political contexts in which rights violations occur. As such, this leads to a variety of events and approaches towards celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia.

Despite the three principal issues mentioned in the name of the celebration, this day is widely regarded as an initiative that is “working to advance the rights of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.” [16] This allows for a widespread amalgamation of different self-identified expressions coming together to share pride in oneself, happiness, and love with others as participants take charge against different rampant forms of hate in the world.  

May 17 around the world

La Moneda Palace illuminated in LGBT flag for 2017 IDAHO La Moneda se ilumina en el Dia contra la Homo y Transfobia (34577746112).jpg
La Moneda Palace illuminated in LGBT flag for 2017 IDAHO

The day is particularly strong in Europe and Latin America, where it is commemorated with public events in almost all countries. [17] May 17 is also marked in multiple countries in all world regions including, in 2013, 32 of the 76 countries in the world [18] where same-sex relationships are criminalised. [17]

Common actions include large-scale street marches, parades and festivals. In Cuba, for example, Mariela Castro has led out a huge street parade in honor of May 17 for the past three years. In Chile in 2013, 50,000 people took to the streets to mark May 17, and the VIII Santiago Equality march. [19]

Arts and culture-based events are also common. For example, Bangladeshi activists organised the music festival "Love Music Hate Homophobia" in 2013. [20] Albanian LGBT activists have, in 2012 and 2013 been organising an annual Bike (P) Ride for May 17 through the streets of the capital Tirana. [21] In 2013, the day's Committee called for international actions for a Global Rainbow Flashmob [22] to mark May 17. Activists in 100 cities, in 50 countries participated with diverse public events spanning coloured balloon releases, dance flashmobs, musical events, and performance and street art. [23]

On May 17, 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legally recognize same-sex marriage. [24]

In Nepal, this day is celebrated as International Day Against Queer / MOGAI -phobia' as well as IDAHOT. [25] [26] [27] [28]

Official recognition

National Congress of Brazil illuminated with rainbow colors in 2022 IDAHOTIB Congresso Iluminado - Dia Internacional de Combate a LGBTIfobia.jpg
National Congress of Brazil illuminated with rainbow colors in 2022 IDAHOTIB

In 2003 the Canadian organization Fondation Émergence instituted a similar event, the National Day Against Homophobia, which was held on June 1 in Québec. In 2006, they changed the date to May 17, in order to join the international movement. [30]

In 2006, The Declaration of Montreal was created and adopted by the 2006 World Outgames. The Declaration demanded that the United Nations and all states recognize May 17 as the International Day Against Homophobia. [31]

In 2007, in Aosta Valley (Italy), the government approved the support for the IDAHOT [32]

In 2010, Lula, then president of Brazil, signed an act that instituted May 17 as the National Day Against Homophobia in his country. [33] [34]

The day is also officially recognized by the EU Parliament, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the UK, Mexico, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Venezuela. It is also recognized by numerous local authorities, such as the province of Quebec or the city of Buenos Aires. [35]

In 2012, the city of Liverpool, England, created a pioneering programme of events in association with the organisation Homotopia, called IDAHO 50. The event was supported by 50 leading organisations based in Liverpool. [36] [37] [38] [39]

On March 21, 2014, Mexico declared, by Presidential Decree, May 17 as the National Day Against Homophobia. [40]

Venezuela's National Assembly (AN) officially recognized May 17 as the Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 12, 2016. [41] AN Deputy Tamara Adrian, also international Chairwoman of the IDAHO Committee, hailed the legislative act as a "sign of change" in a Venezuela where "everyone has equal rights and opportunities". [42]

In several other countries (e.g. Argentina, Bolivia, Australia, and Croatia), national civil society coalitions have called upon their authorities to have May 17 officially recognized. [43] [44] [45]

As it stands as of May 17, 2021, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia has been officially recognized and commemorated by over 130 different countries across the globe. [46]

Impact

Joe Biden expressing his support of the International day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. President biden remarks white house.jpg
Joe Biden expressing his support of the International day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.

As of 2019, 69 countries criminalize same-sex relationships. [47] Also, in 26 countries, [47] transgender individuals are subjected to punishments, and they are disproportionately at risk of violence across the globe. IDAHOBIT is frequently used as a platform for organizing initiatives to advance the fight for the rights of LGBT+ groups in many countries, even in those (like Uganda) in which homosexuality is criminalized. [48]

In 2021, United States president Joe Biden used IDAHOBIT to highlight efforts to allevite LGBTQIA+ discrimination and to call on Congress to pass the Equality Act. [49] The same day, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, spoke of creating the first federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan ad passing “legislation to fully protect gender identity and expression”. [50]

See also

Related Research Articles

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association International umbrella organization for LGBTI organizations

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) is an organization who is committed to advancing human rights to all people, disregarding gender identity, sex characteristics and expression. ILGA participates in a multitude of agendas within the United Nations, such as creating visibility for LGBTI issues by conducting advocacy and outreach at the Human Rights Council, working with members to help their government improve LGBTI rights, ensuring LGBTI members are not forgotten in international law, and advocating for LBTI women’s issues at the Commission on the Status of Women. 

LGBT rights in Serbia

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Serbia may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Serbia, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in areas such as employment, education, media, and the provision of goods and services, amongst others, is banned. Nevertheless, households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.

LGBT rights in Fiji

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Fiji may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. In 1997, Fiji became the second country in the world after South Africa to explicitly protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation in its Constitution. In 2009, the Constitution was abolished. The new Constitution, promulgated in September 2013, bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. However, same-sex marriage remains banned in Fiji and reports of societal discrimination and bullying are not uncommon.

LGBT rights in Lebanon

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons living in Lebanon may face difficulties not experienced by non-LGBT residents, though they are considerably more free than in other parts of the Arab world. Various courts have ruled that Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code, which prohibits having sexual relations that "contradict the laws of nature", should not be used to arrest LGBT people. Nonetheless, the law is still being used to harass and persecute LGBT people through occasional police arrests.

LGBT rights in Cyprus

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Cyprus may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Cyprus since 1998, and civil unions which grant several of the rights and benefits of marriage have been legal since December 2015.

Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred or antipathy, may be based on irrational fear, and is also related to religious beliefs.

Declaration of Montreal

The Declaration of Montreal on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Human Rights is a document adopted in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on July 29, 2006, by the International Conference on LGBT Human Rights which formed part of the first World Outgames. The Declaration outlines a number of rights and freedoms pertaining to LGBT and intersex people that it is proposed be universally guaranteed. It encompasses all aspects of human rights, from the guarantee of fundamental freedoms to the prevention of discrimination against LGBT people in healthcare, education and immigration. The Declaration also addresses various issues that impinge on the global promotion of LGBT rights and intersex human rights. Intended as a starting point in listing the demands of the international LGBT movement, it will ultimately be submitted to the United Nations.

LGBT rights in Georgia (country)

While rights have advanced significantly since the start of the 21st century, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Georgia still face legal challenges that non-LGBT people do not experience. Georgia is one of only a few countries in the former Soviet space that directly prohibits discrimination against all LGBT people in legislation, labor-related or otherwise. Since 2012, Georgian law has considered crimes committed on the grounds of one's sexual orientation or gender identity an aggravating factor in prosecution. Despite this, homosexuality is still considered a major deviation from highly traditional Orthodox Christian values prevalent in the country, where public discussions of sexuality in general tend to be viewed in a highly negative light. Consequently, homosexuals are often targets of abuse and physical violence, often actively encouraged by religious leaders.

LGBT rights in San Marino

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in San Marino may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in San Marino, but households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.

LGBT rights in Algeria

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Algeria face legal challenges and discrimination not experienced by non-LGBT citizens. According to the International Lesbian and Gay Association's May 2008 report, both male and female same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Algeria.

LGBT rights in Bhutan

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Bhutan face legal challenges not faced by non-LGBT people. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in Bhutan on 17 February 2021.

LGBT rights at the United Nations

Discussions of LGBT rights at the United Nations have included resolutions and joint statements in the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), attention to the expert-led human rights mechanisms, as well as by the UN Agencies.

LGBT rights in Laos

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Laos go unreported and unnoticed. While homosexuality is legal in Laos, it is very difficult to assess the current state of acceptance and violence that LGBT people face because of government interference. Numerous claims have suggested that Laos is one of the most tolerant communist states. Despite such claims, discrimination still exists. Laos provides no anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people, nor does it prohibit hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for any of the rights that opposite-sex married couples enjoy, as neither same-sex marriage nor civil unions are legal.

LGBT rights in Mongolia

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Mongolia may face legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT people, though there have been substantial improvements since the 1990s. Homosexuality was criminalised in Mongolia in 1961 through its Criminal Code. Following Mongolia's peaceful transition to a democracy in the 1990s, homosexuality was legalised and awareness about LGBT people has become more prevalent. Hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity result in additional legal penalties and hate speech based on these two categories has been outlawed in the country since 1 July 2017. Households headed by same-sex couples are, however, not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.

LGBT rights in Saint Lucia

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people living in Saint Lucia face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT members of the population. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for males, though the law is not enforced.

Russian LGBT Network

The Russian LGBT Network is a non-governmental LGBT rights organization working for the social acceptance of and protection of the rights of LGBT people in Russia. Founded in 2006, it was reformed into the first Russian inter-regional LGBT rights organization on October 19, 2008. The organization is a member of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) and is led by Russian LGBT rights activist Igor Kochetkov.

Transgender Europe (TGEU) is a network of different organisations working to combat discrimination against trans people and support trans people rights. It was founded in 2005 in Vienna during the 1st European Transgender Council as "European Transgender Network" and it is currently a registered NGO as "Transgender Europe".

Queer Cyprus Association

Initiative Against Homophobia (HOKI) was established in 2007 as the first LGBTQ organisation in Northern Cyprus aimed to deal with criminal law amendments of TRNC which criminalises same-sex relationships. They seek equal human rights including to "fully decriminalize homosexuality, equalize the age of consent and better protect LGBTQ people under the law.”

Equal Ground

Equal Ground is a non-profit organization based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, that advocates for political and social rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), intersex and queer people. The organization, established in 2004, claims to be the first organization in Sri Lanka that welcomes people of all sexual orientations and gender identities... The organization was founded by Sri Lankan gay rights activist Rosanna Flamer-Caldera and offers trilingual publications and services. It aims to achieve its goals through political activism, education, personal support, building awareness and through organized community events. It has been working more closely with lesbian, bisexual and transgender women in areas of human rights, law reform, sexual health, and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The organization continues to face many challenges working in Sri Lanka where homosexuality is stigmatized and considered criminal offense that can earn up to ten years of prison under the law. Efforts of the LGBT activists to undo the British colonial law criminalizing sodomy was not repealed, but the law was expanded to include women and the penalty was worsened. Queer groups in Sri Lanka have frequently stated that some of their members have been subjected to harassment—by blackmail or by threats with exposition or arrest—by police and other people, using the legal provision.

LGBT rights in Anguilla

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Anguilla face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Anguilla, but same-sex couples cannot marry or obtain civil partnerships. Anguillian law does not forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

References

  1. 1 2 "International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia". IDAHO Committee. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  2. ↑ "All Events, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization". UNESCO. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  3. ↑ "Summary Report 2016" (PDF). IDAHO Committee. 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  4. ↑ "May 17th is the Intl Day Against Homophobia". Ilga.org. Archived from the original on 2014-07-04. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  5. ↑ "International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia". United States Embassy of London. Archived from the original on 2015-09-08. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
  6. ↑ Kwok, Diana K.; Wu, Joseph (2015-09-03). "Chinese attitudes towards sexual minorities in Hong Kong: Implications for mental health". International Review of Psychiatry. 27 (5): 444–454. doi:10.3109/09540261.2015.1083950. ISSN   0954-0261. PMID   26569635. S2CID   22696813.
  7. ↑ "What is May 17?". Archived from the original on 2020-05-12. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  8. ↑ [ dead link ]
  9. ↑ "Mobilisation mondiale contre la pénalisation de l'homosexualité - Pla…". archive.is. 17 May 2009. Archived from the original on 17 May 2009.
  10. ↑ "Venezuela Elects First Transgender Congresswoman in the Americas". OUT. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  11. ↑ IDAHO founder begins hunger strike for UN resolution on decriminalising homosexuality Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine retrieved 29 June 2012
  12. ↑ "IDAHOT | Metropolitan Community Churches". Mccchurch.org. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  13. ↑ "Taiwan legalises same-sex marriage in first for Asia". Pink News . 17 May 2019. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  14. ↑ Hollingsworth, Julia (17 May 2019). "Taiwan passes same-sex marriage bill, becoming first in Asia to do so". CNN . Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  15. ↑ "MAY 17 2013 IN AUSTRALIA – EVENTS LISTINGS". IDAHO Committee. Archived from the original on 11 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  16. ↑ "May 17 2021: A Day to Remember". May17.org. 2021-05-19. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  17. 1 2 "REPORTS: Idaho - English". Annual Report 2013. IDAHO Committee. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  18. ↑ "2010 Report on State Sponsored Homophobia Throughout the World". ILGA. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  19. ↑ "More than 50,000 attend Chilean LGBT rights march". Washington Blade. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  20. ↑ "Bangladesh IDAHO Report 2013". IDAHO Committee. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  21. ↑ "An Unofficial View of Tirana". Continent Blog. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  22. ↑ "Homepage". Global Rainbow Flashmob - Official Site. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  23. ↑ "2013 Annual Report". IDAHO Committee. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  24. ↑ "Taiwan Becomes First Country in Asia to Legalise Same-Sex Marriage". TheGuardian.com . 17 May 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  25. ↑ "Nepal Country Page". May 17 org. 13 May 2019.
  26. ↑ "#IDaQuMob : International Day Against Queer / MOGAI -phobia". Medium.
  27. ↑ "International Day Against Queer / MOGAI -phobia #IDaQuMoB". All events / Queer Youth Group.
  28. ↑ "Online #IDaQuMoB". All events / Queer Youth Group.
  29. ↑ "Congresso tem projeção em homenagem à bandeira LGBTQIA+". Poder360 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
  30. ↑ "Anti-Homophobia Day Marked In Windsor". The Windsor Star. The Windsor Star. 2010-05-17. Archived from the original on June 27, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  31. ↑ "Declaration of Montreal" (PDF). International Conference on LGBT Human Rights. July 29, 2006. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-05-08. Retrieved 2016-04-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  33. ↑ "It is Official! May 17th is the National Day Against Homophobia in Brazil". Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
  34. ↑ "Brazil's President Lula decrees National Day Against Homophobia". Archived from the original on July 25, 2011.
  35. ↑ "OFFICIAL RECOGNITION". IDAHO Committee. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  36. ↑ Alan Weston (15 May 2012). "Liverpool supports IDAHO - the international day of action against homophobia". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  37. ↑ "17th May 2012 – The Inaugural Launch of Idaho 50". Liverpool Learning Disability. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-08-04. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  38. ↑ Alan Weston (15 May 2012). "Flying the flag for gay rights; Liverpool is the first city in the world to mark day of action, as Alan Weston discovers". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  39. ↑ "Link" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-02.
  40. ↑ "Presidency of the Republic - Government". Presidencia de México. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  41. ↑ "Parlamento aprueba conmemorar el 17 de mayo en Venezuela como Día contra la homofobia, transfobia y bifobia". NTN24 (in Spanish). 12 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  42. ↑ "Parlamento venezolano acuerda el 17 de mayo como Día Contra la Homofobia". El Nuevo Diario (in Spanish). 12 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  43. ↑ "Embassy in Sweden | INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA AND BIPHOBIA". esuec.cancilleria.gob.ar. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  44. ↑ ENCARNACIÓN, OMAR G. (2013). "International Influence, Domestic Activism, and Gay Rights in Argentina". Political Science Quarterly. 128 (4): 687–716. doi:10.1002/polq.12138. ISSN   0032-3195. JSTOR   43828398.
  45. ↑ "Help end homophobia in the workplace - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  46. ↑ "USAID Commemorates International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia | Statement by Administrator Samantha Power | U.S. Agency for International Development". www.usaid.gov. 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  47. 1 2 "International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia". UNDP. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  48. ↑ "A Global Report Card on LGBTQ+ Rights for IDAHOBIT". www.advocate.com. 2020-05-17. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  49. ↑ "Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia". The White House. 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  50. ↑ "Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia". Prime Minister of Canada. 2021-05-16. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
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