Today, 17 May 2026, is a significant day on the calendar.
More commonly known as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia or IDAHoBIT, this annual event is a day for community solidarity is rejecting all forms of hate towards us.
We use a different name, IDAOD, short for International Day Against OGIAID Discrimination, which is more accurate and inclusive.
This day was sparked by the World Health Organisation removing homosexuality from the classification as a mental illness on 17 May 1990.
That act was one step towards the removal of discrimination to the community.
Regardless which part of the community someone stems from, we are collectively subjected to hate and associated harassment or violence because of the ways in which we identify, be it Orientation, Gender Identity or as an Intersex person.
It is a human rights violation to discriminate against an individual or group based on identity, yet it happens every day somewhere in the world.
Archaic ideologies and beliefs contribute to this hate.
Innocent people suffer as a result in all sorts of ways.
It's not only bullying, harassment and violence.
For instance, when a medical professional or Government prevents someone from receiving gender-affirming care, that's discrimination.
When the only toilets provided in a school, workplace or public building do not accommodate anyone under the non-binary umbrella, that's discrimination.
When an individual is excluded because their physical traits or characteristics make them appear different than how they identify, that's discrimination.
Or if an invitation to an event prevents a guest from bringing a non-heterosexual partner, that's discrimination.
Hate and discrimination must make way for acceptance and tolerance.