Tuesday 17 May is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
Known as IDAHOBIT Day, it is a day of significance on the diversity and inclusion calendar. It originates from the date the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems on 17 May 1990..
What does IDAHOBIT mean?
IDAHOBIT Day celebrates gender and sexual diversity and presents an opportunity to raise awarenss and promote activism to stand against LGBTI+ discrimination. Importantly, the day recognises the current and historical discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI+) people worldwide.
The theme for 2022 is “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights”. It speaks to the right of LGBTI+ people to embrace their gender and sexual identities free from physical violence and the trauma caused by acts of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia.
How can I show my support?
There are many ways you can show your support for IDAHOBIT day.
- Consider how you can celebrate IDAHBOT day at work. Check out Minus18 for resources and tips to run an event including email banners, zoom backgrounds and social media images to show your support for the LGBTI+ community on IDAHOBIT Day.
- Look out for events in your networks both locally and virtually that you can promote and support with your attendance. A good place to check is your local community library to see if they are hosting in person and virtual events like this celebration in Ballarat, and this virtual panel hosted by Boroondara Libraries.
- Stay informed. There’s plenty of resources you can access to learn more about IDAHOBIT Day and ways to stay informed about LGBTI+ inclusion. Notably, Pride in Diversity is a national not-for-profit employer support program for LGBTQ workplace inclusion specialising in HR, organisational change and workplace diversity and Pride in Law is a national non for profit law association that connects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning members of the legal community and their allies.
You can be an ally to LGBTQIA+ people by being visible and active to show your support. We encourage our members to stay informed and call out discrimination when you see it. While the ACC supports IDAHOBIT Day we do not have any affiliation with any of the organisations, events or links referenced in this article.
Article by: Lisa Wright, member of ACC Australia DEI Special Interest Group
ACC Australia is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive in-house profession and has created the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Special Interest Group. If you are interested in participating in the special interest group or contributing ideas, please contact t.henderson@accglobal.com.