Support International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2025!

Tomorrow (Saturday 17 May) is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2025, which is a global day that celebrates sexual and gender diversities amid rising backlash worldwide.

IDAHOBIT fosters a global moment for collective action, awareness, solidarity and visibility, bringing together individuals, organisations and governments under a shared global theme to highlight issues faced by LGBTQIA+ people around the world.

IDAHOBIT 2025

The Day, observed annually, commemorates the 1990 decision by the World Health Organisation to remove homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases. Since then, the day has served as a focal point for raising awareness of the violence and discrimination still faced by LGBTQIA+ people across the globe.

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 continue to criminalise consensual same-sex sexual acts;
• at least 61 countries have restrictions on freedom of expression related to sexual and gender diversity issues.

While laws protecting individuals from hate crimes based on sexual orientation exist in 63 UN Member States, only:

• 41 do so based on gender identity;
• 11 on gender expression; and
• 8 on sex characteristics.

The last few months has involved alarming, escalating threats to the lives and dignity of LGBTQIA+ people:

• organisations worldwide have been forced to close operations due to the aid freeze and funding cuts;
• Mali criminalised consensual same-sex sexual acts for the first time, and Trinidad and Tobago reversed its decriminalisation ruling;
• in the UK, the Supreme Court has restricted the definition of "woman" under the Equality Act 2010;
• Hungary has amended its Constitution to ban LGBTQIA+ gatherings, claim that "a human is either male or female", and remove protections on gender identity;
• across the US, bills and executive orders contribute to making life impossible for trans and intersex people under the pretence of "defending women";
• in Argentina, the government has amended the National Gender Identity Law by executive order, prohibiting access to gender affirming care for persons under the age of 18;
• in Peru, the National Congress passed a law that establishes a prison sentence for "anyone who exposes youth to content on sexual diversity".

Across the world, LGBTQIA+ communities, especially women, trans, and intersex people, are facing an unprecedented wave of attacks by anti-gender and anti-rights movements. Some political actors are complicit, stripping and depriving people of their agency over their bodies, identities and loves, and legislating them out of public life, out of healthcare, and out of recognition altogether.

Social justice movements continue to call out this backsliding, which is increasingly undermining democracy as a whole.

Even amid these severe crises, progress is still happening, often as a result of the power of communities coming together, organising, resisting, holding each other through all the hardships and brutal repression, and creating positive change:

• during the last year, Dominica and Namibia decriminalised consensual same-sex sexual acts;
• marriage equality became a reality in Thailand and Liechtenstein; and
• the last-standing "LGBT-free zone" in Poland finally fell.

To date:

• 17 UN Member States have implemented bans on so-called 'conversion therapies' at the national level;
• nine have introduced nationwide restrictions on unnecessary interventions for intersex youth;
• 18 UN Member States allow for legal gender recognition without restrictive preconditions at the national level; and
• 37 have legalised marriage equality.

The Power of Communities

Developed through consultations with LGBTQIA+ organisations worldwide, the IDAHOBIT 2025 theme is "the power of communities", which was announced during the ILGA World Conference 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Amidst progress and pushback, this year's IDAHOBIT is more important than ever. The theme highlights the vital role that connection, solidarity and shared purpose play in driving change, both for individuals and diverse social justice movements.

This year's theme reflects the diversity and richness within LGBTQIA+ communities, from the grassroots to the global, celebrating our varied and intersecting backgrounds, identities and experiences. The theme highlights the strength and resilience that emerges from our collective solidarity, recognising the contributions of:

• human rights defenders;
• LGBTQIA+ civil society groups;
• organisations and community members;
• feminist, sexual and reproductive health rights and more allies who are not LGBTQIA+ but support equal rights and want to take meaningful action; and
• millions of people in our communities who support human rights and collective liberation.

IDAHOBIT is not a centralised campaign, but rather a shared moment for communities and allies driving change around the world to take action in ways that resonate with their specific contexts and reflect their realities and priorities. Every initiative, big or small, counts and can make an impact, amplifying the movement's reach and contributing to a world free from discrimination and violence.

It is a vital day to share information about the discrimination, violence, and exclusion LGBTQIA+ people face, and how communities are working to overcome it. Everyone must get involved in building a more equal and just world for everyone.

The IDAHOBIT website invites everyone to act: "Visibility isn’t enough. Rights are being taken away, and silence is complicity. This IDAHOBIT, stand with LGBTQIA+ communities. Speak out, show up, and fight back".

Commenting on IDAHOBIT, António Guterres, the Secretary General of the UN, said: "The theme of this year’s international day – “the power of communities” – reminds us that we are strongest together. LGBTQIA+ people, and those working with them to secure their rights, have proved time and again the value of communities in providing support and driving change".

"Their example should inspire us all to come together and realize the vision of a world where every member of our human family can live a life of freedom, equality, and dignity. Working as one, we must push to repeal discriminatory laws, combat violence and harmful practices, and end the scapegoating of marginalized communities".

"The United Nations is a proud partner in these efforts. We will not rest until the rights of all are a reality, no matter who they are or whom they love".

Get involved

IDAHOBIT is incredibly important for raising awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by our communities, and for highlighting the work that still needs to be done to ensure that everyone can live free from discrimination and violence.

The IDAHOBIT website encourages everyone to take an active role in this global mobilisation and to spread the word about the importance of this day.

For companies of all sizes, corporate foundations, professional associations, and industry groups:

• acknowledge the day: send communications to staff recognising IDAHOBIT and your commitment to inclusion;
• review workplace policies: assess how your policies support LGBTQIA+ employees and identify areas for improvement;
• provide educational opportunities: host workshops or training on LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the workplace;
• support LGBTQIA+ employee networks: provide resources for employee groups focused on LGBTQIA+ inclusion;
• partner with LGBTQIA+ organisations: develop meaningful partnerships that go beyond symbolic support by sponsoring events, donating to organisations, or creating grants for LGBTQIA+ community projects as part of your corporate social responsibility;
• donate services or expertise: offer free or reduced-cost services to LGBTQIA+ organisations based on your company's expertise, such as software, marketing or legal services support.

For LGBTQIA+ individuals:

• share your story: if it is safe to do so, share your experiences and perspectives to help build understanding;
• connect with community: participate in local LGBTQIA+ events or online communities to build connections;
• register events: let others know more about the events you are taking part in;
• celebrate yourself: take time to celebrate and affirm who you are with supportive people in your life, and remember that self-care is important, especially on days focused on challenging issues.

For allies:

• educate yourself: take time to learn about the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people, both in your context and globally, and understand how systems of oppression affects lives;
• raise awareness in your circles: share facts, resources and stories created by LGBTQIA+ people, and help those in your circles understand what is at stake and talk about ways to create safer and more inclusive spaces;
• challenge injustice: take action when you see discrimination and injustice, whether in your workplace, school, family or neighbourhood, and use your privilege to challenge harmful behaviour and create safer, more inclusive spaces;
• support or join an event: get involved by supporting or joining an event, and reach out to LGBTQIA+ groups to see how you can support ongoing efforts or help fill a gap;
• offer practical support: provide skills, time, or resources to local LGBTQIA+ groups, whether it is translation, printing, logistics, or outreach, your support can make a big difference;
• commit beyond the day: being an ally is a lifelong practice so keep showing up, stay engaged, continue learning and unlearning, and find ways to support LGBTQIA+ communities year-round.

True allyship is sustained and accountable.

You can search for events near you here, or register your own event, here.