The power of communities to challenge homophobia, transphobia and biphobia
The central illustration for IDAHOBIT 2025 was created by Chilean queer artist Sofía Miranda Van den Bosch, with creative direction shaped by feedback from LGBTQIA+ communities and allies around the world.
THIS SATURDAY, 17th May, is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia [IDAHOBIT].
It was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people, anyone with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and people with diverse biological sex characteristics or intersex conditions.
IDAHOBIT is currently celebrated in more than 150 countries, including many where the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex (LGBTI+) people are criminalised and penalised. Thousands of initiatives, big and small, are reported around the world.
The date, 17th May, was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. The day aims to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, corporations and opinion leaders to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions and sex characteristics.
This year’s theme, ‘The power of communities’ reflects the diversity and richness within LGBTI+ communities, from the grassroots to the global, celebrating our varied and intersecting backgrounds, identities, and experiences. It highlights the strength and resilience that emerges from our collective solidarity, recognising the contributions of human rights defenders, LGBTI+ civil society groups, allies, and millions of people in our communities who support human rights and collective liberation.
Maps on LGBTI+ people’s human rights: the world at a glance on IDAHOBIT 2025
How do laws worldwide impact the lives of LGBTI+ people? ILGA World (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association) has produced new maps to offer a clear, visual answer for anyone seeking accurate information on the human rights of LGBTI+ people globally.
ILGA’s maps make great campaign and educational materials. They’re free to use - just remember to credit ILGA World and keep the content unchanged. They include:
Countries criminalising LGBT and gender diverse persons for consensual same-sex sexual acts (May 2025)
Countries’ provisions about legal gender recognition (May 2025)
Countries restricting unnecessary medical interventions on intersex minors (May 2025)
Download a selection of ILGA World maps.
Even more LGBTI maps: the ILGA World Database
Looking for more? The ILGA World Database features an even broader range of interactive, regularly updated LGBTI+ maps. Covering more than 100 topics, they track how international bodies like the United Nations address sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics issues globally. See these and other maps showing international laws and regulations relating to sexual orientation and gender identity here.
World map with six continents in the colours of the rainbow flag and LED tea lights representing countries which criminalise consenting sexual acts between people of the same sex, and countries where trans people are known to have died due to transphobia, at OTN’s IDAHOBIT vigil in May 2022.
PHOTO: Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy.
How has the Open Table Network shown solidarity:
In 2020, OTN and other LGBTI+ Christian organisations hosted SpaceToBe, an online time of prayer and reflection in which Kieran from Open Table led a reflection on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia inspired by a Bible reading chosen by LGBTI+ Christians to honour this day. WATCH HERE from 11:30 to 22:30.
In 2021, OTN and other LGBTI+ Christian organisations shared stories of solidarity for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia in an online celebration. WATCH HERE [49 mins].
In 2022, OTN and community partners in the Liverpool City Region hosted a celebration of diversity and inclusion, which ended with an anti-hate crime vigil remembering countries which criminalise consenting sexual acts between people of the same sex, and countries where trans people are known to have died due to transphobia. LED candles were placed on a large-scale map of the world which showed six continents in the colours of the rainbow flag. READ MORE.
In 2023, OTN saw a large rise in requests for support from around the world, particularly from Uganda, where the President passed a harsh Anti-Homosexuality Act last year. In the closing communion service at our national gathering in June 2023, OTN trustee Neil Rees, who has more than 30 years’ experience in international mission, shared prayers of solidarity and a call to action for our LGBTI+ siblings. READ MORE.
In 2025, OTN is working with the UK & Ireland branch of the Community of the Cross of Nails, an international reconciliation movement, to help them explore how to make the language of their Litany of Reconciliation more inclusive of everyone.
How are you planning to mark this year’s IDAHOBIT?
Check out here whether there are any events planned near you [or online].
Register your events here for them to be shown in the IDAHOBIT global map of initiatives.
