The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) is a global moment of solidarity and visibility for LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. It is observed every year on 17 May, and brings together individuals, organisations, and governments from around the world to raise awareness about the issues facing LGBTQIA+ people, and to advocate for policies and laws that protect their rights.

The broader aim of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is to foster a global moment for collective action, awareness, solidarity, and visibility, enabling organisations worldwide to frame their activities in ways that resonate with local contexts and needs, all while uniting under a shared global theme.

IDAHOBIT represents a major global annual landmark for diverse stakeholders—grassroots activists, organisations, institutions, and allies—to come together, each in their own way, to amplify calls for change while highlighting the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

Initially managed by the IDAHO Committee, key strategic decisions are now made by the IDAHOBIT Advisory Group, which brings together organisations and networks working to advance the rights of LGBTQIA+ people at global, regional, national, and local levels. In January 2023, ILGA World took a more active role around IDAHOBIT by coordinating global outreach, documentation, and resources on their behalf.

Impact

Every year, thousands of initiatives are reported throughout the planet. One of the strengths of IDAHOBIT lies in its decentralised nature, allowing communities to shape their own initiatives while contributing to a shared global impact. Everyone can organise their own event so that, together, we can connect in a global moment.

IDAHOBIT is currently celebrated in 155 countries and territories, including 35 where consensual same-sex acts are illegal. The day has received official recognition from several States, international institutions such as the European Parliament, and by countless local authorities. Most United Nations agencies also mark the Day with specific events.

Credits: Lukas Berredo

History

The IDAHO Committee, as it was originally called, was created in 2004 by the founders of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). Since then, the day has been a crucial platform for us to come together, each in our own way, to amplify calls for change. The day has been used as an opportunity to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people, as well as others with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

The day of 17 May was specifically chosen to commemorate IDAHOBIT, as it marks the day in 1990 when the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. This decision was a major milestone in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.

For over two decades, the initiative has played a crucial role in:

  • Promoting 17 May as a key LGBTQIA+ mobilisation moment.
  • Documenting and amplifying events happening worldwide.
  • Providing free visual resources to support organisers.

2025. The power of communities
2024. No one left behind: equality, freedom, and justice for all
2023. Together always: united in diversity
2022. Our Bodies, our lives, our rights
2021. Together: Resisting, supporting, healing!
2020. Breaking the silence
2019. Justice and protection for all
2018. Alliances for solidarity
2017. Love makes a family
2016. Mental health and well being
2015. Respect diversity, support love
2014. Freedom of expression
2013. The Global Rainbow Flashmob
2012. Fighting Homophobia in and through Education (As I Am Campaign)
2011. Religions, Homophobia, Transphobia (Global Kiss-In; Cures That Kill)
2009. Against Transphobia and for the Respect of Gender Identity
2008. No more Lesbophobia
2007. No to Homophobia, Yes to Education
2006. For a Universal Decriminalisation of Homosexuality

Name of the day

Even if every year a “global focus issue” is promoted, IDAHOBIT is an international day that does not belong to anyone. Everyone is free to frame the day in a way that reflects their context and priorities.

For example, in Latin America, “lesbophobia” is often included. In Brazil, the day is recognised as the National Day Against LGBTQIA+ Phobia. In some regions, intersex communities add “intersexphobia” to the name, while in others they do not. Similarly, asexual movements may explicitly mention “acephobia”.

Our role is to document global events and provide resources. Groups are free to name and frame the day in the way that suits their needs.

We acknowledge that the acronym and name of the day do not capture the full scope of our communities. This is why the tagline “a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities” was added alongside the acronym.

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NOTE

Although we have seen the translation of the “I” as “intersexism,” this is a term considered to be vague and misleading. After consulting with intersex organisations, we ask everyone to please refrain from using this term and use the term “intersexphobia” instead. Also note that the name of the Day does not currently include “intersexphobia,” as there is no global consensus among Intersex communities that this should be included in the remit of 17 May.