May 17 International Day Against HomophobiaTransphobia and Biphobia
Today, May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is celebrated to celebrate the elimination of homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses by the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO), which took place on May 17, 1990. In 2015, biphobia was incorporated into the name of the campaign.
The day was devised in 2004. After a year-long campaign, it was first celebrated in 2005, with activities in many countries, including LGBT militant actions in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, China or Bulgaria. The day is coordinated worldwide by the IDAHO Committee, based in Paris, founded by the academic Louis-Georges Tin.
Today, more than 70 countries in the world criminalize homosexuality and condemn same-sex sexual acts with prison terms. In at least five of these countries (Mauritania, Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, as well as parts of Nigeria and Somalia) the death penalty is maintained for these cases. The number of these countries is constantly changing, as some countries stop criminalizing homosexuality while others institute new laws that condemn it.
Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is not officially recognized by Member States of the United Nations, despite the fact that human rights organizations such as the Human Rights Committee have repeatedly condemned discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. On the other hand, transsexuality is no longer classified as a mental disorder in DSM V, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, where gender dysphoria appears.
In 2013 this event was held in more than 100 countries. It is also officially recognized by numerous countries, local authorities and international institutions (including the European Parliament).
In 2014 Mexico celebrated the National Day to Fight Homophobia for the first time, following a decree published on March 21, 2014. This is based on the first article of the Mexican constitution, which specifies that it is prohibited, among others, discrimination against a person because of their sexual orientation. From then on, each of the federal powers and institutions under its jurisdiction has the obligation to carry out inclusion measures and public policies against homophobia.
In 2016, the National Assembly of Venezuela decreed May 17 as the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
In 2005 IDAHOBIT was held in more than 40 countries, from France to Hong Kong. A wide variety of initiatives were launched and widely covered by the media. In Iran, despite brutal government homophobia, IDAHO was discussed on numerous Internet blogs and thousands of emails. In Kiev, Ukraine, a huge balloon was released with the inscription: "Say NO to homophobia."
