Since 2004, activists around the world have joined forces on 17th May to mark the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. On this date, in 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) finally took the decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.
Over the years, the day to celebrate queer identities and sexual orientations has grown bigger and bolder. The 2018 theme ‘Alliances for Solidarity’ invites us all to collaborate, to support each other across movements and to engage in activism that is as diverse as we are.
As UNITED, we are building alliances of NGOs and activists in Europe who campaign against nationalism, racism, fascism and in solidarity with migrants and refugees. Working together to support each other in the face of persistent inequalities is at the heart of what we do – and we want to make our activism more inclusive. We therefore stand, fight and celebrate in solidarity with LGBTQ* movements around the world on 17th May. We stand with queer refugees who experience racism and homophobia. We stand with transwomen who are targeted by nationalists. We stand with people who are discriminated against because they do not fit restrictive categories.
Through alliances for solidarity, we aim to be allies, to learn from each other and support each other in the different struggles we face. Our movements do not exist in isolation. When people with narrow, fascist ideas of what the world should look like are taking over, we need to fight together for our colorful vision of reality.
For IDAHOTB and every day, let’s UNITE!
