What does IDAHOBIT stand for?
IDAHOBIT stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia.
When is IDAHOBIT?
IDAHOBIT falls on 17th May each year to coincide with a very a significant event in LGBTQ+ history.
On 17th May 1990 the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.
Whilst there are lots of reasons to celebrate the progress made around the world, IDAHOBIT brings attention and awareness to the fact that homophobia, biphobia, interphobia and transphobia are still very real problems for many people.
In some countries this can be subtle and in others life threatening.
We asked LGBTQ+ travel bloggers from around the world to tell us what IDAHOBIT means to them and why it is so important.
What does IDAHOBIT mean?
We asked a number of LGBTQ bloggers what IDAHOBIT means to them and why it is important:
Sion and Ben of The Globetrotter Guys
For us IDAHOBIT means taking a stand and recognising that while steps have been made in the right direction when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and treatment around the world there is still so much more to do.
We are lucky to live in the UK which is considered to be one of the safer countries to live in for LGBTQ+ people and yet in our own small town we still fear holding hands. Unfortunately homophobia, biphobia, interphobia and transphobia exist everywhere albeit to varying levels.
Of course our experience is nothing compared to those people living in the many countries where their existence is ill*gal, could warrant arrest or even worse.
The only way to move forward and ensure a safer future for all is awareness, education and action. For us, IDAHOBIT represents all those things.
Keep up to date with us here on our website and on Instagram @theglobetrotterguys.
Roxanne and Maartje of Once Upon a Journey
This day is still so incredibly important!
We live in one of the most progressive countries in the world (the Netherlands was the first country to legalize same sex marriage) but even here, homophobia, transphobia and biphobia exist.
There is literally no place in the world where it doesn’t.
This day is important because we want the next generations, starting with our nieces, nephews and kids to grow up in a world where people don’t have to ‘come out’ because it’s normal. A world that’s welcoming and SAFE to be yourself.
Visit their website and Instagram to see more from Once Upon a Journey.
Ravi Round The World
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is so important because acceptance is still not world wide.
Visibility is key. Living out loud as an openly gay man will hopefully inspire others to do so.
I want to help use my voice to continually share stories of those who cannot in the LGBTQIA community.
We cannot stop fighting until equality happens worldwide.
Follow Ravi’s Journey on Insta & TikTok @RaviRoundTheWorld and check out his gay travel Vlogs on youtube.com/raviroundtheworld
Gabi and Shanna of 27 Travels
International day against homophobia, transphobia, & biphobia is super important to us because sadly we still live in a world where these things happen.
But we also don’t let it stop us from being ourselves & showing our love.
We believe the best way to show that there is nothing wrong with same sex, bi, or trans relationships is to just be ourselves, live our lives, and that will show others that our relationship is just as normal as anyone elses.
We believe the best way to combat negative feelings towards the LGBTQ+ community is by being visible and if you are in a place where it’s safe & you can be visible, that will normalize all kinds of relationships.
Follow Gabi and Shanna at 27travels.com or on Instagram @27travels
Stefan and Sebastien of Nomadic Boys
IDAHOBIT is super important for us because it gives us a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come as a community.
Most importantly, we find it humbling because whilst we can celebrate freedom and the right to choose who we love, many of our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters around the world are not able to share this basic human right.
The essence of IDAHOBIT was to commemorate the day back in 1990 when the WHO removed homosexuality as a disease, yet 30 years on, there are still many places around the world today that not only see homosexuality as an illness that can be cured, but they criminalise it, worse, a state-sanctioned dea*h!
This is one very important day when we can all come together from all around the world in solidarity to push for equality for everyone.
You can follow Stefan and Sebastien at nomadicboys.com
Michael and Matt
Seven years ago, we were in the closet—hiding our sexuality from our family, our friends, and our peers.
We didn’t know each other at the time, but each of us attending universities at completely different parts of the US, we felt compelled to come out amidst unaccepting environments.
We realized that our current circumstances did not dictate our future, and our current unaccepting environments did not dictate our ability to be free.
We posted our coming out videos online, and our lives were changed for the better.
I remember on May 17th, 7 years ago, sitting in the center square of my college campus with many other LGBTQ+ allies, wearing duct-tape over our mouths to signify the oppression of our community—the hatred of a homophobic society wishing us to be silent. It was the courage of those around us, who came out and wore duct tape on their mouths in the years before us, that gave us the courage to stand up against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia.
Remarkably, we witnessed the change on campus.
Over the next couple of years, we saw how more and more people came out to share their stories, and in turn others surrounded them, accepting them for who they were, and encouraging others to share. It soon became abundantly clear that those with us far outnumbered those against us.
Even now, seven years later we understand that those who stand up for love now will be remembered for years to come by those fighting the same battles against hate and oppression.
We stand up against homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, because of the sacrifices of those before us.
You can see more from Michael and Matt at michaelandmatt.com.
Whitney & Megan of What Wegan Did Next
Photo credit: Lover of Love
It’s important for us to be visible as a femme lesbian couple, particularly because we had no lesbian role models growing up.
It’s so important to be able to see a future version of ‘you’, to know that everything will be ok.
We both experienced homophobia from our mothers but they are totally accepting now.
We want to show that time can heal all! At the end of the day, parents just ultimately want to see their child happy.
Just know that there is a whole community out there who loves, accepts and embraces who you are!
See more from Megan and Whitney @whatwegandidnext and Youtube.
Joey Amato of Pride Journeys
This day is about coming together as a community to help those who may need a voice to fight off homophobia, whether in their country or local community.
If we stand together, we will overcome homophobia and help create a more accepting world.
See more from Joey on Facebook: @pridejourneys or Instagram: @joeyamato_33
Jeff Perla of The Travelin Bum
I think every gay man has experienced some form of homophobia in their life.
I’m sure we all have heard people make assumptions about our sexuality throughout our whole lives, or the constant questions from family and friends about whether we like men or women.
As time goes on I think it is getting better however homophobia is still very much alive in many individuals.
One of my more recent encounters with someone homophobic was on the subway with my parents. We were standing on the train and there was a man sitting in front of me.
Out of nowhere he pulled out a bible and smacked me with it and started screaming the word faggot on the whole train for everyone to hear.
One thing you know about NYC is there are a lot of crazy people out there so you don’t want to cause a fight on a packed train so I looked the other way.
This man started muffling things under his breath that my parents could hear like; how do you let your son suck c***, get these faggots away from me to the point where the women sitting next to him had enough.
She grabbed him by the throat and told him to stop speaking.
Long story short he stood up, got in the womens face, my moms face, as well as mine to the point a group of us ended up dragging him off the train by the next subway stop.
Luckily no one was harmed but it’s important to realize even in places you think are the most gay friendly places in the world have people who are closed minded.
If you don’t stick up for yourself or your community then who will?
See more from Jeff @thetravelinbum on Instagram.
Meg Ten Eyck of EveryQueer
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is a global day of inclusion for queer people.
While our community is making great strides in some parts of the world, queer people in some countries are facing government condoned viဝlence and oppression.
IDAHTB is an opportunity for our community to shine a light on the work we still have to do to support our queer siblings while simultaneously remembering how far we’ve come.
See more from Meg at everyqueer.com.
Chiel & Michele of Pineapple Monkeys
From our point of view the IDAHOT is important because it’s different to Pride.
The difference of IDAHOT compared to pride events is that it is important to draw attention to the phenomenon of homosexual, bi and transgender hatred and its social undesirability (whereas pride can be a celebration).
The slogan of the international campaign in 2008, Homosexuality is NOT a sickness! illustrates this.
See more from Chiel and Michele on their travel blog Pineapple Monkeys.
Karl & Daan of Couple of Men
“Why should we go to Pride events or why do we have to recognize days like today anymore? Isn’t it enough what we have achieved already? We just don’t provoke anyone and act normal – everything should be ok, right?”
Well… no, it isn’t and yes, we still need days and events to focus on these topics! And people who stand together, like many LGBT activists before us who paved the way for today’s acceptance.
As long as members of the LGBT community are still getting k*lled, getting forced into conversion therapies against their will, and getting treated unequally to others in our societies, we do not have 100% equality.
Lesbians, gays, bi, trans, and queer people around the world, especially in countries without any support and protection available by law, need all the support they can get from us, luckily living in much more progressive countries like the Netherlands.
On a day like today, it is important and necessary to stand together as human beings despite our differences in race, religion, culture, gender, sexual identities, or sexual preferences. In the end, it is all about love, isn’t it?
See more from Karl and Daan at coupleofmen.com.
Jenna of The Jenna Way
IDAHOBIT is a super important day to me because it’s an opportunity to speak up against many of the challenges we still face and empower other to be allies.
Whether its debunking stereotypes or shedding a light on inequalities that still exist, it’s always a great day to educate ourselves.
I love the opportunity to help others to be allies and to share ways to eliminate homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
Right now more than ever we need to stand up for each other. And to me that applies to those in the LGBTQ+ community standing up for each other as well as educating our straight allies.
Find Jenna on Instagram @TheJennaWay or on her blog www.TheJennaWay.com
Uwern of Out There Magazine
As someone who travels for a living, I’m been to destinations that celebrate the fact that I’m a part of the LGBT+ community and also some who do so less.
When I encounter any awkwardness, it serves as a reminder that in some parts of the world, there are people, and whole communities who live in a place where Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is rife, sometimes even a threat to their very existence.
So whether you’re a member of our beautifully diverse and colourful community, or an ally, or just a kind human being, it’s all our responsibilities to speak and act for those who can’t.
While we understand the concept of one love, we also have to understand that there are differing points of view and that your visibility and perspective can do a lot to instil positive change in the future.
So go forth and spread love. Happy IDAHOTB!
See more from @uwern Editor-in-Chief of @outtheremag www.outthere.travel
Jan & Eric of Couple Miles to Go
It’s so important to show love, acceptance and respect, but not only on this particular day of the year.
There are still so many who don’t accept homosexual, transgender or bisexual people for who they are: just humans.
We should love no matter gender or sexual preferences one has.
It’s so important to be your true self, so everyone can live their best life. If you aren’t able to reach your dream on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t forget: Even small steps can make big changes in the end.
Love is Love!
See more of Jan and Eric at couplemilestogo.com
Ivan of Traveling IQ
People fear what they don’t know. To me, travel is one of the strongest weapons against all the phobias.
Just by respectfully being ourselves when we travel, we can change perspectives and expand understanding.
The interactions we have with locals, hotel staff or other travelers (some who may have had limited access to LGBTQ folks), start chipping away at that mystery. And it goes both ways.
Every trip I take I come back just a little different—and hopefully more open—than I was before and that’s greatly due to the amazing people I meet along the way.
Visit the TravelingIQ.com website and follow IQ’s travels on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Phil and Garth
It’s sometime easy to forget, as we sit here in our small village in the UK that not everyone in the world is as fortunate as us.
We are accepted as a same sex couple by our neighbours and join in and support the village activities without so much as comment or strange look. However many of our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters around the world are not as lucky. It was only a few months ago that one part of the United Kingdom finally got marriage equality – Northern Ireland.
It breaks our hearts every time we hear on the news that LGBTQ+ people are still being targeted and imprisoned for just being who they are, that’s why events like International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia are still needed today.
As bloggers and travellers we now stay away from countries that have a poor track record on LGBTQ+ rights or being gay is still a crime. It’s shocking see the number of places where this is still the case – just Google it. We had always wanted to travel to India but had stayed away for fears of our safety, however we did finally travel there last year as in 2018 the Supreme Court of India finally decriminalised homosexuality.
We both hope that sooner rather than later, days like IDAHOBIT will become a thing of the past and future generations will have a better understanding of different genders and sexualities and everyone is kind to all.
See more from Phil and Garth at philandgarth.com
Charlotte and Natalie of Our Taste for Life
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is one of the most important days in the annual calendar.
While we are very fortunate to be living in a safe and accepting environment, many others are not so lucky.
We receive daily messages from members of the LGBTQ community, who are worried or scared about coming out to friends and family. Many face rejection or discrimination, and some worry about physical harm.
While this proves that the fight for LGBTQ equality is far from over, days like this spread hope and positivity to our community. A reminder of how far we’ve come and a reminder that we are not alone.
Together we will beat Homophobic, Transphobic and Biphobic assaultss. Because at the end of the day, love ALWAYS wins.
See more of Charlotte and Natalie at ourtasteforlife.com or on their Instagram.
Share your message of positivity and what IDAHOBIT means to you in the comments below. Hopefully one day this day won’t need to exist.
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