May 17th is the International Day Against Biphobia, Homophobia and Transphobia (commonly ‘IDAHO’). It was on 17 May 1990 that homosexuality stopped being considered a mental illness by the World Health Organisation.
Across the country many Town Halls, business premises and community centres will be flying rainbow flags to show their support for LGB&T equality & liberation.
There is a more powerful dimension too though: there are over 70 countries in the world today where it is a criminal offence to be bisexual or gay. Seven countries still have the death penalty for those deemed to have had sex with someone of the same gender. Respect for transgender people in law varies hugely from one country to another similarly.
Read more about events and the history of IDAHO here.
IDAHO’s mission against prejudice against LGB&T people is variously described as referring to homophobia, to homophobia and transphobia, and to biphobia, homophobia and transphobia. We prefer to think of it using the more inclusive language.
