May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), created to raise awareness of, and to eliminate, violence, discrimination, and repression of LGBTQ communities throughout the world. This date was chosen to commemorate the 1990 decision to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Over 60 regions of the world still criminalize lgbtq relationships and identity. 12 of these have the death penalty for lgbtq people, while 13 specifically target transgender and nonbinary folks. Anti-trans laws, rhetoric and violence, in particular, have been increasing in many regions, particularly in the U.S. and UK. In the U.S., violence against trans and nonbinary folks increased 14% in 2025, coinciding with $215M in political ads during the 2024 campaign, and at least four executive orders by Trump, that specifically demean and discriminate against transgender Americans. On May 14, 2026, just a few days ago, Juniper Blessing, a transgender University of Washington climate science student, was murdered.
As my friend @JamesTracy recently said: In this world there are only two choices. Be an accomplice for liberation or be an accomplice for murder. It is not enough to be an ally.
https://www.advocate.com/news/countries-criminalize-homosexuality#rebelltitem65
https://glaad.org/2025-alert-desk/
#lgbtq #transphobia #homophobia #gender #transrightsarehumanrights #who #discrimination #equality