2011 International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).   It's a day set aside to focus international attention about the problems of homophobia and transphobia and get concerted action taken to deal with those problems.


Just yesterday two young women were indicted on hate crimes charges because of transphobia.    For a brief moment of their life they let hatred of an individual transperson overcome them to the point that they viciously attacked her for living her life, and will probably pay for that misguided error in judgment by spending a few years in jail for the assault they perpetrated upon her.

Here's a statement from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concerning the IDAHOT.

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY CLINTON

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

In every part of the world, men and women are persecuted and attacked because of who they are or whom they love. Homophobia, transphobia and the brutal hostility associated with them are often rooted in a lack of understanding of what it actually means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). So to combat this terrible scourge and break the cycle of fear and violence, we must work together to improve education and support those who stand up against laws that criminalize love and promote hate. As we mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia this May 17, let us resolve to redouble our efforts.

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am proud to reaffirm our support for LGBT communities at home and abroad, and to call for an end to discrimination and mistreatment of LGBT persons wherever it occurs. Whether by supporting LGBT advocates marching in Belgrade, leading the effort at the United Nations to affirm the human rights of LGBT persons, or condemning a vile law under consideration in Uganda, we are committed to our friends and allies in every region of the world who are fighting for equality and justice. These are not Western concepts; these are universal human rights.

Despite these gains and hard work, there is more to do to turn the tide of inequality and discrimination against the LGBT community. If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, know that the United States stands with you and we are unwavering in our commitment to ending this cycle of hate.

Happy International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Today was the observance of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

No thanks to haters using the world's great religions to twist religious doctrine into a billy club to attack TBLG people, it is a day that is sorely needed.

IDAHOT is different from pride events because it is focused on pointing out '..that in reality it is homophobia that is shameful and must be deconstructed in its social logic and fought against openly.'

The IDAHOT got its start thanks to our Canadian friends in Quebec. An organization called Fondation Emergence created a National Day Against Homophobia that was celebrated on June 1, 2003.

Afro-French academic Louis-Georges Tin in August 2004 launched the successful campaign to create a similar day that was global in scope and impact. Tin proposed that the IDAHOT be celebrated on May 17th to commemorate the day in 1990 that the World Health Organization decided to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders.

The first celebration of it occurred in 2005 and was supported by several international GLBT organizations. Transphobia was added as a focus in 2009 and the French in advance of last year's IDAHOT observance, became the first nation in the world to officially remove transgender issues from its list of mental illnesses.

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is now celebrated in more than 50 countries around the world, and recognized officially by the European Union, Belgium, United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

So Happy IDAHOT! Let's hope and pray that the rest of the nations of the world and the committee putting together the DSM VI manual will follow the example of France in the years to come.