International Day Against Homophobia

International Day Against Homophobia History

International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) is a day dedicated to raising awareness of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGTB) rights violations while promoting interest in LGBT and human rights. As of 2015, same-sex sexual activity is illegal in 75 countries and in 5 of those countries, the punishment for same-sex sexual activity is the death penalty.

The founders of the International Day Against Homophobia established the IDAHO committee in order to co-ordinate international grass roots campaigns and push for official recognition of May 17. The date marks the anniversary of the decision to remove homosexuality from the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases in 1990. The idea of a specific day was conceived in 2004, a year-long campaign involving thousands of individuals and organizations from all parts of the world succeeded in making the IDAHO initiative a reality. The founder of the day, Louis-Georges Tin was Chairperson from inception until 2013. In 2009, transphobia was added to the name of the campaign, it was the theme for that year, and in 2015 biphobia was added too.

Top facts and quotes about International Day Against Homophobia

• The theme for International Day Against Homophobia in 2024 was No one left behind: Equality, Freedom and Justice for all.
  In 2023, the theme was Together always: united in diversity.
• The large majority of the countries where same-sex sexual activity is illegal are located in Africa (36 countries) and the Middle East (24 countries).
• The 5 countries that implement the death penalty for homosexual activity are: Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Sudan, Iran and Yemen.
• ...the man of my dreams is a girl. ― Julie Anne Peters, an internationally published American author of young adult fiction
• I'm a supporter of gay rights. And not a closet supporter either. From the time I was a kid, I have never been able to understand attacks upon the gay community. There are so many qualities that make up a human being... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant. ― Paul Newman, an American actor, director, professional racing driver who is well known for his performance in The Colour of Money.

In the News and Trending for International Day Against Homophobia

International Day Against Homophobia Top Events and Things to Do

• Find an event near you that is celebrating LGBT rights. Major metropolitan centres like Amsterdam, London and Berlin will be taking part. Keep an eye on Facebook for details on how to do this, or start your own. Try hosting a talk or movie screening to raise money for LGBT charities that work to protect the human rights of people around the world.
• Get active on social media and show your support for LGBT rights. Tweet using the hashtags #homophobia or #IDAHOT or visit the Facebook page.
• Read up on LGBT culture and history with these books:
  1) The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
  2) Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown
  3) Fun Home by Alice Bechdel
• Listen to music that couldn’t have been possible without LGBT artists and musicians. Try these popular songs:
  1) The Velvet Underground & Nico by the Velvet Underground
  2) Low by David Bowie
  3) Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
• Watch a film about the LGBT community. LGBT people have played major parts in the history of the world. Our favourites include:
  1) Carol (2015)
  2) Paris Is Burning (1990)
  3) Milk (2008)