WHAT IS IDAHOBIT?

IDAHOBIT stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia and in recent years, discrimination against intersex people.

The event marks the anniversary, 30 years ago, when the World Health Organisation (WHO) removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The original “IDAHO” founders marked the day to raise awareness about the pain and suffering of lesbian and gay people around the world. It’s important to note that the latest version of the World Health Organisation’s ICD version 11 continues to describe intersex variations as “disorders of sex development”. You can read the IDAHOBIT statement by Intersex Human Rights Australia here.

Today, the event has evolved to include more people in the queer community including the intersex community. It is about acknowledging and fighting the stigmatisation and discrimination against LGBTIQ people. This stigmatisation has been the product of laws, policies and attitudes that all combine to cause harm.

17 May is also about celebrating the progress that has been made in the past 30 years. And our challenge today is to not only continue to stand up for LGBTIQ people but to double our efforts in creating positive social and cultural change. We know a disproportionate number of the LGBTIQ community experience poorer mental health outcomes and a higher suicide risk than their peers, and that this is connected to ongoing inequality and discrimination. There is more work to be done.

Are you looking for something to do on 17 May? You can still get involved even if it’s from home!