May 17 — International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) is observed every year on May 17 to raise awareness about the discrimination LGBTQ+ people continue to face worldwide. The date marks the 1990 decision by the World Health Organization to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders — a turning point in global LGBTQ+ rights.

But IDAHOBIT isn’t just about history. It’s about the present:

• LGBTQ+ people still face violence, legal discrimination, healthcare barriers, and social stigma.

• Trans and nonbinary people, in particular, experience disproportionate rates of harm and exclusion.

• Bisexual people often face erasure or invalidation, even within queer spaces.

IDAHOBIT is a reminder that visibility, solidarity, and action still matter.

The Heart of the Day: Solidarity

At its core, IDAHOBIT is about standing with LGBTQ+ people — loudly, lovingly, and without hesitation.

It calls communities to:

• Challenge homophobia wherever it appears

• Confront biphobia and the erasure of bisexual identities

• Support and affirm transgender and nonbinary people facing targeted hostility

• Build environments where queer people can live openly, safely, and joyfully

This day is not only about naming the harm — it’s about creating the world we want to live in.

What IDAHOBIT Encourages Us to Do

• Educate Learn about LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and the realities of discrimination. Understanding is the first step toward change.

• Speak Up Challenge harmful language, policies, and behaviors — even in small, everyday moments.

• Support Trans and Nonbinary People Advocate for gender‑affirming care, inclusive policies, and safe spaces.

• Amplify LGBTQ+ Voices Share stories, art, and perspectives from queer creators and activists.

• Build Community Create spaces where LGBTQ+ people feel seen, welcomed, and protected.

Each action — big or small — helps shift the world toward dignity and equality.

How Your Community Can Participate

Here are meaningful ways individuals and organizations can honor May 17:

• Host or share educational resources about LGBTQ+ rights

• Highlight local LGBTQ+ organizations doing on‑the‑groundwork

• Share affirming messages on social media or community boards

• Create safe‑space guidelines for your workplace, school, or online community

• Support mental‑health resources for LGBTQ+ people

• Attend or organize a vigil, panel, or community gathering

IDAHOBIT is a global movement — but it grows through local action.

A Porch Built on Care

On The Pride Porch, we believe in creating a space where every LGBTQ+ adult feels safe, seen, and celebrated. IDAHOBIT aligns with that mission: it’s a day to honor our community’s resilience and to recommit building a world where queer people can thrive without fear.

Today, we stand with every LGBTQ+ person who has ever been silenced, shamed, or harmed — and we stand with those who continue to fight for justice, visibility, and freedom.

Pull up a chair. Take a breath. You belong here.