May 17 marks three key events in the history of civil rights. Can you name them?
On this date in 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses—which is why May 17 is now the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB). There are usually events held around the world to mark the occasion; this year, the in-person events are few, but there are still organizations on every continent (except Antarctica) finding ways to celebrate and suggesting ways you can join in. One activity that I particularly like, since it’s fun for anyone to do at home, is this “LGBTI World Tour” (PDF) that’s part of an interactive digital workshop from LGBT Youth Scotland. Go to page 6 to find links to Google Maps showing places in LGBTI history around the world, with a little information about each place.
Additionally, starting on May 17, 2004, same-sex couples could legally marry in Massachusetts—the first U.S. state to permit them to do so. (Bonus LGBTQ parenting fun fact: Four of the five plaintiff couples in the lawsuit that won marriage equality were parents.)
And on May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark decision striking down racial segregation in education.
Today stands at an opposite point around the sun from November 18, the date of the 2003 Massachusetts ruling that permitted the May marriages the next year, and also the date that the U.K.’s homophobic Section 28 law was repealed in 2003. That law had since May 1988 forbidden “the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship.”
Clearly, I’m all about these days and ways that bring us together in community (or maybe I just like an excuse for cake). I hope you’ll also join my on June 1 for the 15th Annual #LGBTQFamiliesDay, when you’re invited to post, tweet, or share in celebration and support of LGBTQ families. (Stay tuned for some more exciting things I have planned with Family Equality for that day as well.)