International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia 2026: "At the heart of democracy"

The theme for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2026 is “At the heart of democracy,” the global IDAHOBIT Advisory Committee announced today.

Developed through extensive consultations with regional and global LGBTQIA+ networks worldwide, the 2026 IDAHOBIT theme serves as a powerful reminder that the soil of truly democratic societies must be rich in meaningful equity and justice for all, fostering the flourishing of the entire community.

Observed annually on 17 May, IDAHOBIT commemorates the 1990 decision by the World Health Organization to remove homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases.

First celebrated in 2005, the Day has grown into a truly global community moment. Every year, individuals, organisations, and governments celebrate the day with initiatives, events, and campaigns in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people, demanding action to ensure they can exercise their rights.

No matter where we live, who we are, or the faiths that drive us, most people want to nurture neighbourhoods and communities where every life can flourish. But today, reactionary governments worldwide are poisoning our gardens with the invasive weeds of their authoritarian policies and exclusionary legislations.

Time and again, LGBTQIA+ people have resisted these pests, rolled up their sleeves together with all the good people caring about their communities, and sowed the seeds of change. On IDAHOBIT 2026, and every day, you are invited to join in — at the heart of democracy: together, we can prepare the ground for a better future for everyone.

IDAHOBIT is a shared moment for communities and allies to cultivate change in ways that reflect local soils, climates, and traditions. Whether planting a community mural in Buenos Aires, hosting a virtual town‑hall in Nairobi, or organising a legislative lobby day in Strasbourg, every initiative — no matter how big or small — adds nutrients to the democratic garden.

https://may17.org/

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia 2025: THE POWER OF COMMUNITIES

This year's theme for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is "THE POWER OF COMMUNITIES." The official website states:

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

IDAHOBIT, observed annually on 17 May, commemorates the 1990 decision by the World Health Organization 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.

“The power of communities” reflects the diversity and richness within LGBTQIA+ communities, from the grass roots to the global, celebrating our varied and intersecting backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The theme for 2025 highlights the strength and resilience that emerges from our collective solidarity, recognising the contributions of human rights defenders, LGBTQIA+ civil society groups, allies, and millions of people in our communities who support human rights and collective liberation.

IDAHOBIT is not a centralised campaign; rather, it is 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.

Please visit the website for more uplifting and empowering information including ways to Mark The Moment.
https://may17.org/

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia 2024

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. The Day represents a major global annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, corporations, opinion leaders, local authorities, etc. to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. Thousands of initiatives, big and small, are reported throughout the planet.

The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia has received official recognition from several States, international institutions such as the European Parliament, and by countless local authorities. Most United Nations agencies also mark the Day with specific events.

From the official May17.org site:

IDAHOBIT, celebrated annually on 17 May, is a global initiative that aims to raise awareness about discrimination, violence, and challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.

Decided during extensive consultations with LGBTIQ organisations from across the world, the theme will allow for advocacy and celebrations in many forms – be it from human rights defenders, LGBTIQ civil society groups, millions of people in our communities, and our allies.

The world has just celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — a document that is much more than a cornerstone of international law: it is a guide to navigate a deeply divided world, a set of values that everyone can live by, and ultimately a force for good. And yet, we know that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” represents a promise not yet fulfilled — for LGBTIQ people across the world, and for everyone experiencing the suffocating impact on their lives of diverse layers of inequalities. This year’s IDAHOBIT theme is a call for unity: only through solidarity for each other will we create a world without injustice, where no one is left behind.

Please visit the website for more uplifting and empowering information.
https://may17.org/

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia 2023

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. The Day represents a major global annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, corporations, opinion leaders, local authorities, etc. to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. Thousands of initiatives, big and small, are reported throughout the planet.

The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia has received official recognition from several States, international institutions such as the European Parliament, and by countless local authorities. Most United Nations agencies also mark the Day with specific events.

Please visit the website for more uplifting and empowering information.
https://may17.org/

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia 2022

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. The Day represents a major global annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, corporations, opinion leaders, local authorities, etc. to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. Thousands of initiatives, big and small, are reported throughout the planet.

The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia has received official recognition from several States, international institutions such as the European Parliament, and by countless local authorities. Most United Nations agencies also mark the Day with specific events.

The may17.org website unveils this year's theme:
We are happy and proud to announce that a large consultation with LGBTQI+ organisations worldwide has identified the theme for the 2022 edition of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia:

“Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights”

A great theme under which many forms of advocacy are possible: claiming our rights to live our sexualities and to express our gender(s) freely, but also demanding to be from physical violence, from conversion so-called “therapies” to forced sterilisation of Trans and Intersex people.

A theme that reminds us that many of us across the world live LGBTQI-phobias in their very flesh every day and that our bodies are being abused, ruining our lives. Our bodies are our lives. And we have a right to live free and in dignity!

Please visit the website for more uplifting and empowering information.
https://may17.org/

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia 2021

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. The Day represents a major global annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, corporations, opinion leaders, local authorities, etc. to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. Thousands of initiatives, big and small, are reported throughout the planet.

The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia has received official recognition from several States, international institutions such as the European Parliament, and by countless local authorities. Most United Nations agencies also mark the Day with specific events.

Please visit the website for more uplifting and empowering information.

https://may17.org/

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2020

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.

The Day represents a major global annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, corporations, opinion leaders, local authorities, etc. to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. Thousands of initiatives, big and small, are reported throughout the planet.

This year's theme is Breaking The Silence.

In our families, in our social circles, at work, in our sports clubs, for many of us our Sexualities, Gender Identities or Sex Characteristics must be hidden. We wander through most of our lives with the stigma of feeling ashamed of who we are.

On May 17, the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia will be breaking some of that silence. This year again, tens of thousands of us will speak up. We will take the space that is rightfully ours, because our voices, our stories, our lived realities matter!

Please visit the website for more uplifting and empowering information.
https://may17.org/

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2018

Today is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. It was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public, and the media to the deaths, violence, and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally.

And as the title suggests, this is a world-wide issue now more than ever. With the frightening tone the world has taken (including our own government which has promoted, enshrined, and legislated homphobia and transphobia), we need desperately to enlighten the world, and literally save lives. Even if you are not in Africa or Russia or Bangladesh or any of the many other countries that persecute or execute gay or trans men and women, even if you are in an intelligent, progressive area, we still need awareness. It is an overused cliché, but the world is changed one person at a time. Be one of those people. You can participate simply by believing that all people have human and civil rights in this existence. Stand for it. Insist on it. Tell others. Tell everyone you can. I have been so encouraged and inspired by the young Parkland shooting survivors and the idea that protest and calls to action are not dead, and that they can make a difference.

This is how a movement is built, and how the world changes: one person at a time.

http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/

The Pride Shield by Fondation Émergence

For today's International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, Fondation Émergence created The Pride Shield. Watch the video...

https://prideshield.com/

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2016

Today is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. It was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public, and the media to the deaths, violence, and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally.

And as the title suggests, this is a world-wide issue now more than ever. With the frightening tone the world is taking, from Russia's ridiculous, ignorant ban on "gay propaganda," to Nigeria's sick and barbaric anti-gay laws, to the assassination and brutal slaughter of gay rights activist Julhas Mannan in Bangladesh just a few weeks ago, we need desperately to enlighten the world, and literally save lives. Even if you are not in Africa or Russia or Bangladesh, even if you are in an intelligent, progressive area, we still need awareness. It is an overused cliché, but the world is changed one person at a time. Be one of those people. You can participate simply by believing that all people have human and civil rights in this existence. Stand for it. Insist on it. Tell others. Tell everyone you can.

This is how the world changes one person at a time.

http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014

Today is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. It was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public, and the media to the deaths, violence, and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally.

And as the title suggests, this is a world-wide issue now more than ever. With the frightening tone the rest of the world is taking, from Russia's ridiculous, ignorant ban on "gay propaganda," to Nigeria's sick and barbaric anti-gay laws that were put into effect just this year, we need desperately to enlighten the world, and literally save lives. Even if you are not in Africa or Russia, even if you are in an intelligent, progressive area, we still need awareness. It is a ridiculously overused cliché, but the world is changed one person at a time. Be one of those people. You can participate simply by believing that all people have human and civil rights in this existence. Stand for it. Insist on it. Tell others. Tell everyone you can.

This is how the world changes one person at a time.

http://dayagainsthomophobia.org

International Day Against Homophobia 2012

The text below is from the International Day Against Homophobia website. Although it is Canadian-based (naturally, since the US is fighting a real and seemingly losing battle against a march backward to the Dark Ages right now), this is a world-wide issue as the title suggests. As we know, homophobia is inextricably linked to misogyny. Homophobia is not just about gay men or gay women, it is the denigration of anything perceived as feminine. With the frightening tone the rest of the world is taking, from a government minister in Zimbabwe only yesterday calling for gay men and women to have their property taken away from them and for them to be banished, to Uganda's violent bill that will make homosexuality a first-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison with repeat offenders being PUT TO DEATH, to four areas of Russia including St. Petersburg and Siberia that have adopted bans on "gay propaganda," we need to enlighten the world now more than ever. Even if you are not in Canada, even if you are not in Africa or Russia, even if you are in an intelligent, progressive area, we still need awareness. It is a ridiculously overused cliché, but the world is changed one person at a time. Be one of those people. You can participate simply by believing that all people have human and civil rights in this existence. Stand for it. Tell others. This is how the world changes one person at a time.



ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL DAY

The cause for the International Day Against Homophobia, its central topic of interest, the common theme that provides information for each of its endeavours remains a universal, multi-faceted and historical phenomenon: homophobia.

In Canada, recognition, for lesbian and gay communities, has been first and foremost a judicial acceptance brought about by the adoption of the Charter of Human Rights. However, judicial advances will remain only that until a complete, unlimited social acceptance of homosexuality is achieved and homophobia wiped out. To achieve this goal, the Fondation Émergence proposed in 2003, along with partners, to hold each year a special day dedicated to the social recognition of homosexual experience.

Philosophy of the Event

Few minority groups have been as discriminated against as the gays and lesbians. But major breakthroughs have occurred, and homosexual people are stepping out of the shadows. From the outside, it could be construed that all problems have been solved. The media are sympathetic, public personalities come out, television shows feature lesbian and gay characters in scenes of everyday life. Nevertheless, the reality is quite different. Many individuals are unable to live their sexual orientation, encounter difficulties if they do, or end up role-playing to protect themselves.

Despite these dire situations, the implementation of the International Day Against Homophobia should not rest on a “victimization“ philosophy. In fact, the Day may be seen as a great opportunity to highlight positive aspects of homosexuality and celebrate the contribution of lesbians and gays to society.

Target Audience

Homophobia is an insidious process that channels its effects through subtle, usually transparent ways. No one is safe from hostile manifestations to homosexuality. Quite surprisingly, many homosexual individuals themselves adopt homophobic behaviour, hoping it would protect them against prejudice from their entourage. The International Day Against Homophobia aims to reach all groups of society, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Becoming Involved

An International Day Against Homophobia belongs to no one individual. It’s about all people hoping for a prejudice-free world that can provide a place at the table for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation. Inspired by all world theme-days, the day set aside to fight homophobia needs to be appropriated by all of those actively involved in civil society: gay and lesbian community organisations, those organisations focusing on other types of sexual diversity, unions, employers, private businesses, governments, public administration, professional associations, and all individuals seeking equality.

http://www.homophobiaday.org/