May 17th is IDAHOBIT
- tyudelson
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
What might you do to help?
This Saturday, May 17, the world will mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) — a global moment to stand in solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and spotlight the urgent need to confront hate and discrimination.
This year's theme, “The power of communities”, highlights the vital role that connection, solidarity, and shared purpose play in driving change — both for individuals and diverse social justice movements. It also celebrates the ongoing efforts of 2SLGBTQIA+ human rights defenders, organizations and community members who continue to work towards a more just world for everyone.
IDAHOBIT is a vital day to share information about the discrimination, violence, and exclusion 2SLGBTQIA+ people face, and how communities are working to overcome it.
This year, the call to action is more pressing than ever.
Around the world, including here in Canada, we are witnessing an alarming surge in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate, from the spread of gender-critical ideologies to a wave of discriminatory policies targeting trans and queer communities. Hate crimes, online disinformation, and coordinated protests are on the rise, threatening the safety and dignity of 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Homophobia - prejudice, fear, or hatred directed toward people who are attracted to the same sex. It manifests in various ways, including discrimination, social exclusion, verbal abuse, and even violence against lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Biphobia - discrimination or prejudice against bisexual people—those who experience attraction to more than one gender. Biphobia can come from both heterosexual and gay/lesbian communities, often dismissing bisexuality as "just a phase" or portraying bisexual individuals as confused or untrustworthy. Intersexphobia - discrimination against intersex people—those born with physical sex characteristics that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female. This can include medical mistreatment, social stigma, and the harmful practice of non-consensual surgeries to "normalize" intersex bodies. Transphobia - prejudice, hatred, or discrimination against transgender and gender-diverse people. It can take many forms, including legal barriers to gender recognition, denial of healthcare, workplace discrimination, and physical violence.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) is a crucial moment to stand in solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and push back against rising hate and discrimination. While progress has been made in many parts of the world, including Canada, the surge in anti-2SLGBTQI rhetoric and policies is deeply concerning. From gender-critical ideologies to legislative attacks on trans rights, the current climate demands urgent action.
Hate crimes, online disinformation, and coordinated protests are not just abstract threats—they have real consequences for the safety and dignity of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.
Marking IDAHOBIT is not just about awareness; it’s about mobilizing against discrimination and ensuring that every person, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, can live freely and safely. It’s a call to allies, policymakers, and communities to work together to challenge harmful narratives and protect the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
So get involved in building a more equal and just world for everyone.
It's time for action. Visibility isn’t enough. Rights are being taken away, and silence can easily be seen as complicity. This IDAHOBIT, stand with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. It's time to speak up, show up, and fight back.
For more info, check out these links:
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