International Day Against Homophobia (17/05)

On May 17, the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biophobia ( English is celebrated in different countries of the world. The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, IDAHOT ).

The term « homophobia » ( Homophobia: from Greek homos — the same and phobos — fear, fear ) appeared relatively recently — in 1972. Prior to this, the phenomenon, which is commonly called homophobia, was a social norm. To mean irrational fear of homosexuals, rejection and neglect of members of sexual minorities, the term « homophobia » was first used by psychiatrist George Weinberg ( George Weinberg ).

The 20th century was, without a doubt, the most homophobic historical period: the deportation of homosexuals to concentration camps under the Nazi regime, the Soviet Gulag, blackmail and persecution in the United States in the era of McCarthy... But even today, in many countries, the situation of these people remains so now.

Discrimination of homosexuals is observed everywhere: in at least eighty countries, homosexuality is prohibited by law, in many countries it is punishable by imprisonment of up to ten years. Sometimes the law provides for life imprisonment. In a dozen more countries, the death penalty is applied to homosexuals.

The idea of establishing on May 17, International Day against Homophobia was presented by the French writer and scientist Louis-Georges Ten. The day was chosen by chance — it was on May 17, 1990 that the General Assembly of the World Health Organization excluded homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.

International Day against Homophobia has been officially celebrated since 2003. The recognition of this day poses certain obligations to the international community, which has already come together in the fight against many other forms of discrimination and social violence.

The objectives of this Day — counteracting any physical, moral and symbolic violence against people with a different sexual orientation or gender identity; supporting and coordinating all initiatives around the world, which help all citizens achieve equal rights; a broader campaign to protect human rights.

So, in a number of countries that supported the initiative to hold this Day, annually on May 17, various actions and events, campaigns and flash mobs are held, related to the International Day against Homophobia and aimed at raising the awareness of the world's population about the problem of homophobia through the media, as well as promoting bills on the equal rights of all persons.

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