The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) was created to help promote a world free of hatred, violence, and oppression regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This day is a day to celebrate freedom, acceptance, and diversity.
On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from it’s list of mental disorders, but that didn’t stop the hate crimes, and it wasn’t until October 22, 2009 that the provision called the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama. The measure expanded then current hate crime laws to include violence based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.
If you want to help and get involved, you can join the IDAHO Facebook page, where over 300 activists around the world are discussing their plans for a creative protest this May 17th.
For more visit www.dayagainsthomophobia.org
