2026
Panel Discussion – Centering Community Voices Fostering Open Dialogue
UNFPA Lao PDR and the UN RCO invite you to a panel discussion centering the voices, health, and wellbeing of the LGBTQI community in Lao PDR.
🗓️ Date: 26 May 2026
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM onwards
How to join us:
In-Person: Seats are limited. Please secure your spot ahead of time by registering here: https://forms.gle/kQ6Sov5rT3kWBYEA7
Facebook Live: Watch the livestream broadcast directly on the official UNFPA Lao PDR and United Nations Laos pages.
Zoom (For English Speakers): Access the discussion with English translation via this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87679220851
Let’s foster open dialogue and build a more inclusive community together.
UN WFP IDAHOBIT event in Laos
On 15 May, the UN World Food Programme in Laos celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) with a meaningful theatre performance by Khao Niew - The Little Theater.
The play, integrating a simple family meal gathering and a WFP-supported nutrition programme, brought out the everyday challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals. It reminded us that inclusion, fairness, and respect should be reflected in our daily actions and in the way we support communities.
In addition, Dr. Inleusa Noel Basengkham a representative of Lao LGBTQI+ communities, shared a powerful testimony on overcoming stigma, supporting one another, so that LGBTQI+ members' voices are heard and everyone is treated with fairness and dignity.
Iluminação da fachada da URCA, Ceará
Neste 17 de Maio, a fachada do nosso campus se veste com as cores do arco-íris. Mais do que um ato simbólico, iluminar a nossa casa é reafirmar o compromisso da Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA) na luta contra a LGBTfobia, o preconceito e todas as formas de discriminação.
Como espaço de ciência, educação e cidadania, recusamos o silêncio no país que lidera o ranking de violência contra as pessoas LGBTQIAPN+. Acreditamos em uma universidade — e em uma sociedade — onde o amor, a identidade e a existência de cada um sejam plenamente respeitados e protegidos.
Por uma URCA plural, segura e de todos.
Arena Castelão brilha nas cores do arco-íris
O estádio Arena Castelão se iluminou com as cores do arco-íris em alusão ao Dia Internacional de Combate à LGBTfobia, transformando um dos maiores símbolos do Ceará em um gesto de visibilidade e reconhecimento da luta da população LGBTQIAPN+.
Os clubes de futebol Ceará e Fortaleza se pronunciaram sobre o assunto nas redes sociais, reforçando a importância de combater a LGBTfobia nos estádios.
Παγκόσμια Ημέρα κατά της Ομοφοβίας, Αμφιφοβίας, Τρανσφοβίας και Ιντερφοβίας
On Sunday, May 17, Klathmonos Square will be filled with flowers, music, and visibility.
To mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia, and Interphobia (IDAHOBIT), we’re returning to the spot where it all began in 2005 to throw the biggest street party of the spring, reclaiming public space with music and visibility.
In collaboration with the This is Athens City Festival, we’re meeting again in the heart of Athens to celebrate freedom of expression with a lineup that unites us. With 4 DJ sets and 2 live shows spanning a wide musical spectrum: house, pop, Greek and international, dancehall, reggaeton, afrobeats, and global club music.
Information
Location: Klathmonos Square
Date: May 17
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Free admission
Podcast episode about IDAHOBIT
The International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is observed every year on the 17th May to show solidarity and take action for LGBT equality.
In 2021, Scotland made history in becoming the first country in the world to commit to embedding LGBT inclusive education across the curriculum, for all ages. But Scotland’s journey is far from a linear story of progress, and we still have a lot of work to do.
Taking a closer look at this journey serves as a good reminder of the importance of IDAHOBIT – and the importance of continuing to address the underlying attitudes and behaviours, in order for us to have a more fair and equal education system.
In the latest episode of our Still We Rise podcast, EIS National Officer (Equality) Selma Augestad talks to Jordan and Liam from Time for Inclusive Education about IDAHOBIT, Scotland’s journey to LGBT inclusive education and our joint plans to tackle the new threat of rising prejudicial disinformation.
IDAHOBIT-2026. AT THE HEART OF DEMOCRACY
Discussion Meeting Dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
On May 15, 2026, ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, a high-level discussion meeting was held at the initiative of Dignity Humanitarian NGO with the support of the Embassy of France in Armenia, bringing together Аmbassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary accredited to Armenia, representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations, as well as state and civil society representatives, human rights defenders and community.
The goal of the meeting was to discuss existing challenges and opportunities for reforms in the field of human rights in Armenia on the path toward democracy.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by Sergey GABRIELYAN, Dignity NGO President, who greeted the distinguished guests and reflected on the importance of the day, the challenges faced by LGBT+ persons, migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable groups in Armenia and the region, and emphasized the necessity of joint efforts to combat stigma, discrimination and hate speech.
Welcoming speeches were then delivered by high-ranking officials and international partners, including:
Anahit MANASYAN, Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia,
Julie FORT, deputy head of mission of the French Republic in Armenia,
H.E. Andrew TURNER, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Armenia,
H.E. Eric DE MUYNCK, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to Armenia,
H.E.M. Petr PIRUNČÍK, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Armenia,
Natia NATSVLISHVILI, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia,
Louis FALCY, UNHCR Armenia Officer-in-Charge and Senior Development Officer
Katrin BUDER-PELZ, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Yerevan, Armenia.
The speakers once again reaffirmed their commitment to the protection of human rights, equality, and the fight against discrimination, emphasizing that the construction of a safe, inclusive, and dignified society is only possible through joint and continuous cooperation. In their remarks, they highlighted the important role of civil society, international solidarity, and state responsibility in ensuring the protection of the fundamental rights of every individual, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, or social status.
At the beginning of the discussion, Alina Mirzoyan, Human Rights and Advocacy Coordinator at Dignity NGO, project coordinator presented the project “Strengthening the Capacities of LGBT+ People in Armenia through Improved Legal Protection, Awareness, and Economic and Social Inclusion,” implemented with the financial support of the Embassy of France in Armenia.
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This was followed by thematic presentations and discussions covering a number of important issues in Armenia, including:
The situation of GBT persons, refugees and migrants kept in penitentiary institutions, presented by Sergey GABRIELYAN, President of the Group of Public Monitors Implementing Supervision Over the Criminal -Executive Institutions and Bodies of The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia
Human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, presented by Shushan KHNKOYAN, Access to Justice NGO President
Legislative gaps in the protection of LGBT+ rights, presented by Anahit MKRTCHYAN, Dignity NGO defense-lawyer
Issues faced by LBT women, presented by Olya NALBANDYAN and Ani DAVTYAN, Human Rights and Public Health NGO representatives
Challenges faced by LGBT+ youth, presented by Sargis AYVAZYAN, CEO at IMPULSE Youth Social-Cultural NGO
Each thematic presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session, fostering active discussion and exchange of experiences among participants.
Concluding the event, Sergey Gabrielyan, President of Dignity NGO, emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and coordinated efforts in the field, then he turned to the community.
“Your life has value.
And Dignity NGO, together with all our partners, is making a commitment: we will continue — not just to speak up “in place of you,” but to stand beside you and help strengthen your voice.
And I want everyone to remember one thing: YOU ARE HEARD, YOU ARE SEEN, AND WE STAND BY YOUR SIDE.”