The LGBTQ+ community continues to face violence, discrimination, and repression worldwide. Despite many people telling us we don’t belong, the LGBTQ+ community is resilient. We continue to take action, demand equal rights, and engage in dialogue with the media, policymakers, public opinion, and broader civil society.
A specifically significant day we combat discrimination is today, The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.
The day was first recognized on May 17, 2004, as International Day Against Homophobia. May 17th was chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. Since the first observation, the name has evolved to include transphobia and biphobia and raise awareness of LGBTQ+ rights violations worldwide.
Want to learn more? Follow along…
What is homophobia?
Homophobia is the dislike or prejudice against gay people. It can take many different forms, including negative attitudes, aversion and prejudice. Although society has become more accepting, homophobia is still prevalent, and many people do not like gay people. In many cases, the cause of this homophobia is based on irrational fear, misunderstanding, or people believing that it goes against their religion.
What is transphobia?
In 2009, transphobia was added to the name of the event. Transphobia is similar to homophobia, except it relates to direct discrimination against transgender people. Many transgender people do not identify as gay, so the addition of transphobia makes the day even more inclusionary of all identities.
What is biphobia?
Biphobia was added to the name back in 2015. Biphobia is the aversion toward bisexuality and bisexual people as individuals. Some examples of biphobia include the denial that bisexuality is a genuine sexual orientation or the negative creation of stereotypes about people who are bisexual.
Both gay and straight people can be transphobic and biphobic, and people can be transphobic without being homophobic or biphobic. Therefore, the inclusion of all the terms is essential and helps to recognize that all identities are supported during the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.
Join Pride Palace as we raise awareness and stand in solidarity against all forms of oppression, against all individuals.
