Why May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
May 17th is commemorated worldwide as the Day of Struggle against Violence towards LGBTI* people. It is officially known as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
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May 17th is commemorated worldwide as the day against violence towards LGBTI* people. It is officially known as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). However, at Presentes we prefer to avoid using the term "phobia" because it is not an illness. Therefore, we refer to it as LGBT Hate.
This year, the date is being commemorated with the slogan "At the Heart of Democracy," alluding to the increasing attacks by governments in various countries "against sexual and gender diversity and bodily autonomy—a common tactic to test the resilience of democratic systems—the actions of LGBTQIA+ people and their allies remind us that societies can only thrive when there is true equality and justice for all people," stated the organization ILGA World. They also called attention to the wave of democratic backsliding currently underway. "Throughout 2025, governments around the world drastically cut foreign aid that enabled civil society organizations to operate, precisely when far-right movements and authoritarian governments were attempting to dismantle social progress," they reported.
The IDAHOBIT committee's advisory group emphasized: “Time and again, LGBTQIA+ people have resisted, rolled up their sleeves alongside all the caring people in their communities, and sown the seeds of change. At IDAHOBIT 2026, and every day, you are invited to join us—at the heart of democracy—: together, we can pave the way for a better future for all.”
Why this date?
The date was first commemorated in 2005. It reminds us that onMay 17, 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from the classification manual of mental illnesses.
Its creation stemmed from the Paris-based IDAHO Committee, which that year launched an annual campaign to raise awareness of the violence against LGBTI+ people. This culminated in the international recognition of this Day to draw attention to the suffering endured by LGBTI+ people around the world. May 17th is a day to coordinate and focus response and prevention efforts, as well as to remind states of the importance of creating and strengthening public policies to prevent LGBTI+ hate.
It represents an iconic date for all people who want to join to make visible, from their different roles and spaces, the violence faced daily by people who live with diverse sexual orientations, expressions or gender identities, sexual or bodily characteristics outside of heterocisnormativity.
“Despite significant progress, data from the ILGA World Database indicates that LGBTQIA+ people continue to face challenges in accessing their basic rights. 64 UN Member States still criminalize consensual same-sex sexual acts. At least 61 countries have restrictions on freedom of expression related to diversity issues. Laws protecting people from hate crimes based on sexual orientation exist in 63 UN Member States, but only in 41 for gender identity, 11 for gender expression, and 8 for sex characteristics,” reported ILGA, the organization that brings together LGBTQIA+ groups worldwide, on May 16, 2025.
Although a central theme is chosen each year to focus actions, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia does not aim to convene a centralized campaign, "but rather a moment when everyone can take the opportunity to take action, on the topic and in the format they wish,"as stated on the website for May 17.
The date goes by different names and the acronyms vary. Initially it was IDAHO (an acronym for International Day Against Homophobia), then IDAHOT (when transphobia was included), and finally IDAHOBIT (when biphobia and intersexphobia were included). Some even include intersexphobia in the commemoration. However, there is no consensus among intersex communities that all of them feel represented by this day.
May17.org . documents some of the activities carried out in more than 130 countries where actions are being deployed
International organizations such as MERCOSUR or the European Parliament recognize the date, and others linked to the United Nations carry out commemorative activities.
While Latin America has been one of the regions with the most progress in human rights for LGBTI+ people in recent years, violence and discrimination continue to threaten their human rights. This vulnerability is often exacerbated by other factors. Sexual orientation and gender identity are intertwined with other layers: racialized identities, migration, sex work, people living with HIV, among others. This fuels inequality in our region.
IDAHOBIT, as it is known by its acronym in English, is a special day to spread information about the discrimination, violence and exclusion suffered by LGBTQIA+ people, and about how communities resist and work towards building a world with equality for all.
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