IDAHO is the abbreviation of International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia. The Day Against Homophobia is May 17. Activities against homophobia are taking place all over the world. In too many countries homosexuality is a problem, so much so that you can go to jail for it. There is still gay discrimination in too many countries. IDAHO wants to do something about this, without having a central organization. Anyone who wants to organize something against homophobia can seize the day to do so.
IDAHO – Day Against Homophobia
In nearly 80 countries around the world, same-sex relationships are illegal. Sometimes people are even imprisoned, briefly or even for life. In nine countries around the world, homosexuality is a reason to give someone the death penalty. In many countries, homosexuals do not have the same rights as heterosexuals. There is legal discrimination, social homophobia and transphobia and millions of people suffer from this.
IDAHOT
The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) was established in 2004 to draw attention to this issue from policy makers, opinion leaders, organizations and the public. There is no organization that prepares a central campaign. IDAHO is much more of a day that anyone, anywhere can use to organize an action to draw attention to the subject.
IDAHO is also written as IDAHOT, with the T for Transphobia.
Recognition
The date of May 17 was chosen because on that day in 1990 the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. The International Day Against Homophobia is celebrated in more than a hundred countries. On all continents, attention is being paid to homophobia as an evil hatred for something that is precisely about love. The day has received recognition from various states and governments, including the European Parliament.
Organize and mobilize public opinion
LGBT organizations (organizations of and for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people), governments, cities, human rights organizations, companies and celebrities are organizing various events on May 17:
- drawing media attention to the issue of homophobia and transphobia;
- organizing events that mobilize public opinion;
- seeking attention from policymakers and lobbying;
- networking with like-minded organizations;
- developing new partnerships;
- mobilizing the public.
The Hague
On May 16, 2013, on the eve of IDAHO 2013, Queen Máxima attended the opening of the International Day Against Homophobia conference in The Hague. She attended the conference. During the conference, seven hundred participants from home and abroad will look at how gay emancipation can be improved worldwide. Anyone who reads the results of the report from the Social Planning Bureau comes to the conclusion that the emancipation of gays is not yet complete. It is especially difficult for young people to come out of the closet.
Queen
Queen Máxima’s visit to the congress is the first visit by a Dutch monarch to a gay event. During the opening and in the presence of the Queen, discussions included European developments in the field of gay emancipation. Minister Jet Bussemaker of Emancipation acted as hostess on behalf of the cabinet. She opened the conference in the Ridderzaal in The Hague on Thursday evening, May 16, during a dinner. Máxima did not speak during the meeting, she was alone. On May 17, gay emancipation ,in Europe and beyond, was discussed further.
May 17
IDAHO is on May 17 every year.
read more
- Bullied but Proud – Facebook page about bullying
- Anti-gay propaganda law in Russia
- Homosexuality – acceptance in the Netherlands and Europe