17 May is the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). It is a day in which countries around the world seek to raise awareness about the discrimination, violence and harassment experienced by members of LGBTI communities.
This year’s IDAHOBIT is particularly significant as 17 May 2020 marks 30 years since the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.
Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow said this year’s IDAHOBIT is an opportunity to recognise the progress made in protecting and promoting the rights of LGBTI people in Australia in recent years, while acknowledging the work still to be done.
The Commission in currently finalising a report on how best to protect the human rights of intersex people in the context of medical interventions.
“On IDAHOBIT we can rightly celebrate the progress achieved for LGBTI communities in Australia over the last few years – but we must never forget that there is still so much more to do, or the toll the fight to achieve that progress has taken on some in the LGBTI community,” Commissioner Santow said.
“LGBTI people experience, on average, poorer mental health outcomes due to their experiences of discrimination.
“During COVID-19 we must continue to champion inclusion for LGBTI people in Australia, and to keep our values of fairness and kindness alive during what is a difficult time for everyone.”
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recently released ‘COVID-19 and the Human Rights of LGBTI People‘, which documents an increase in homophobic and transphobic rhetoric, and incidents around the world of authorities using COVID-19 emergency measures to restrict LGBTI people’s rights.
IDAHOBIT was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by people with diverse sexualities and genders.
