In 2024 the United Nations noted that despite international human rights law requiring all countries to support the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, there are still over 70 countries that crimilize same sex marriage, with 12 of them imposing the death pentalty. Diverse Holliston wants to highlight May 17th, which marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. This year’s theme is, “ The Power of Communities.” Many different organizations participate in the global celebration on or around the date and, because of this, it receives different names. Some organisations add Lesbophobia or Intersexphobia as distinct focuses. Acronyms also vary, from the initial IDAHO to IDAHOT or IDAHOBIT. The celebration is not one central trademarked brand and everyone is free to communicate how they wish.
The day was founded by Louis-Georges Tin, a French academic born in Martinique in 1974. Tin studied in Paris, and in 2004 established Au Nou Alle a black LGBT association. In 2005 Tin launched the International Day Against Homophobia. The day was the culmination of a year-long campaign to raise awareness of LGBT rights work. Tin chose the date of May 17th to celebrate the 1990 anniversary of when homosexualtiy was declassified as a mental disorder by the World Health Organization. During the first celebration in 2005 over forty countries participated including the United States, Canada, Portugal, Brazil and Lebanon. In 2013 Tin was succeeded as organizer by world renowned Venezuelan trans rights lawyer, professor and activist, Tamara Adrian. In 2015 Biphobia was added to the campaign and as of 2022, the day is now referred to as International Day Against LGBTQIA+Discrimination.
The main goal of the day is to raise awareness of the discrimination, violence, and repression these communities face. Throughout the world there are festivals, large scale outdoor marches, parades and arts based activities like concerts, dance performances and public art displays.
To learn more visit:
- Mythbusters Q & A: Real Talk about LGBTQ+ identities | Town of Holliston MA
- The American LGBTQ+ Museum — About