Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). Do you know why May 17 was chosen—and what two other key civil rights events happened on the same day in different years?
On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses—which is why the day is now observed as IDAHOBIT, “a global moment of solidarity and visibility for LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities.” The event is now observed in more than 155 countries, including 35 where same-sex acts are illegal. (It’s gratifying to note that the first number is up while the second is down from just a few years ago, although the second should be at zero.)
The event’s theme this year is “the power of communities,” which the organizers say “reflects the diversity and richness within LGBTQIA+ communities, from the grassroots to the global, celebrating our varied and intersecting backgrounds, identities, and experiences.” The theme “highlights the strength and resilience that emerges from our collective solidarity, recognising the contributions of human rights defenders, LGBTQIA+ civil society groups, allies, and millions of people in our communities who support human rights and collective liberation.”
Previous U.S. presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama had marked the day with statements of solidarity and recaps of their work towards the human rights of LGBTQ people. Hillary Clinton also did so way back in 2011 when she was secretary of state. The current U.S. administration? Not a thing to say, and less than nothing done, since what they have done has been actively harmful. They are enacting the homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia that today’s event is intended to counter.
Today’s date is also significant because of two other civil rights milestones: 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.
Take a moment today, then, to celebrate how far we’ve come in many aspects of civil rights, even as we acknowledge that we are sliding backwards in many ways and still have much work to do. Then let’s go do it.
I hope you will also also take part in another upcoming moment of solidarity and visibility on June 2, 2025, the 20th Annual LGBTQ Families Day, a time to celebrate all families with LGBTQ people in them and to show their strength, elevate their collective stories, and reaffirm allies’ support.