International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
(Wednesday May 17, 2022)
May 17th commemorates the date (in 1990) when the decision was made to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization.
Before this time Homosexuality and same-sex relationships between men had been considered sinful and even criminal. In the late 19th century psychiatrists began to address this, (disease they deemed it in the day) through conversion therapy in an attempt to “reverse” it. Sigmund Freud theorized that homosexuality was not a disease and that people were born bisexual and became homosexual through conditioning and that the “condition” could be “cured”.
“Treatments” included shocks administered though electrodes implanted directly into the brain while other treatments included lobotomies. Aversion therapy included giving the LGBTQ person drugs which induced vomiting and were then forced to look at photos of lovers, and others were given electrical shocks to their genitals while looking at gay pornography.
This video is a must watch during the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHOTB)
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw 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.
An annual awareness campaign, The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) has tackled issues such as LGBT rights in the world, transgender identity, families, homophobia in sports, on the internet and in the workplace, in addition to other issues.
The first International Day Against Homophobia
The first IDAHOB took place in 2005 and in 2009 transphobia was added to the name of the campaign. France was the first country in the world to remove trangender issues as mental issues on May 17, 2009.
The purpose of IDAHOTB is to raise awareness about discrimination and violence towards the LGBTQ+ community. The celebration is particularly strong in Europe and Latin America and celebrated with marches, parades and festivals.
Canada and the LGBTQ+ community
June 27, 1969 Same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults was decriminalized in Canada (as a result of legislations introduced in 1967)
July 20, 2005 Canada becomes the first country outside of Europe and fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
Same-sex adoption is legal in all provinces and territories.
Remember, this day would not exist without people like you celebrating it! Read more
