International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia & Transphobia – May 17
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- Category: Human Rights Calendar
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| May 17 - International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) |
May 17 marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
Created in 2004, IDAHOBIT seeks to raise awareness of the discrimination and violence that is experienced by two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (2SLGBTQI+) persons around the world. The commemorative date of May 17 also coincides with the 1990 World Health Organization (WHO) decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness.
In 2023, the theme is “Together Always, United in Our Diversity.” The emphasis of this theme highlights the importance of solidarity, which is paramount in defending the hard-earned gains that the 2SLGBTQI+ community has earned in Canada.
It is no secret that Pride organizations from coast to coast have been the targets of homophobic and transphobic hate and violence, and these attacks are irrefutably connected to larger, global efforts of alt-right and white supremacist organizing. These attacks are increasing in size and frequency across the country. In May 2023, the Canadian Labour Congress unanimously passed an emergency ‘Anti-Hate’ resolution calling on Canada’s unions to condemn the rise in hate attacks on the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
In addition, gender-diverse workers in Canada are still facing disproportionately high rates of violence and harassment in the workplace. The CLC’s most recent survey on harassment and violence in Canadian workplaces found that 73% of gender-diverse respondents reported experiencing multiple forms of harassment and violence at work, a disproportionately high number compared to their cisgender colleagues. LGBTQ2S+ respondents were also more likely to have experienced harassment and violence, particularly sexual harassment and violence.
IDAHOBIT also presents an opportunity to support the work of LGBTQI2S organizations working to advance equality in Canada and around the world, including UFCW Canada’s national partner, the Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, and our international partner, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA).
For more information on our union’s efforts to advance 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, visit UFCW Canada’s “Supporting LGBTQI2S Rights” webpage, and be sure to check out our work with UFCW’s constituency group for LGBTQ12S issues and advocacy, UFCW OUTreach.
Toronto – March 19, 2020 – March 21 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a day to acknowledge the struggles faced by racialized and Indigenous communities around the world.
Toronto – February 24, 2020 – Calling all UFCW Canada activists and allies: your urgent support is needed to help stop the backward practice of conversion therapy, which is ruining lives in the LGBTQI2S community and encouraging discriminatory and harmful attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender identity in Canada..
Toronto – January 17, 2020 – Attention all UFCW Canada members and allies: UFCW is calling on activists to help support justice for First Nations children in Canada.
Toronto – December 13, 2019 – Each year on December 18, citizens around the world recognize International Migrants Day to honour the millions of migrants living across the globe.
Toronto – December 7, 2019 – On December 10, people around the world observe International Human Rights Day to celebrate the rights and freedoms affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.