Brighton & Hove City Council is flying inclusive Rainbow flags from Hove and Brighton Town Halls on today to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT).
IDAHOBIT, created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ people, provides an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community and allies to come together by celebrating diversity, unity and collective solidarity and to challenge, loudly and firmly misinformation and bigotry.
The date of 17 May was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organisation’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
It is now celebrated in more than 130 countries around the world with thousands of initiatives sharing awareness and driving positive change.
Join Unite the Union Brighton & Hove and Brighton & Hove City Council’s LGBTQ Workers Forum for a night of music, speakers and socialising at the Ledward Centre, Brighton’s superb LGBTQ+ Cultural and Community hub, from 6.30pm.
Attendants can look forward to inspirational activists involved in queer community organising as well as a performance from the Brighton’s Rainbow Chorus.
All welcome. To attend, book your free tickets in advance via Eventbrite.
This year’s theme, ‘No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all’ is a call for unity: only through solidarity for each other will we create a world without injustice.
It is inspired by the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — a document that is much more than a cornerstone of international law, it is a guide to navigate a deeply divided world, a set of values that everyone can live by, and ultimately a force for good.
Still, it represents a promise not yet fulfilled – for LGBTQ+ people across the world, and for everyone experiencing the suffocating impact on their lives of diverse layers of inequalities.
Councillor Leslie Pumm, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Human Rights, said: “This and every year we are proud to support International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and show our solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities in our city and the world.
“In Brighton & Hove we are fortunate to have a vocal and bright LGBTQ+ community, which does not stay on the sidelines but is standing firmly and visibly at the heart and soul of our wonderfully diverse city.
“This, however, does not mean that hate crime and human rights violations are a thing of the past. The atmosphere across the globe is changing, public opinions are divided like never before with the most vulnerable members of communities targeted and attacked.
“I invite everyone to join us in categorically rejecting any forms of hate and division and instead choosing love, solidarity, respect and unity.”
You can report hate incidents or ASB to Sussex Police on 101 if it’s not an emergency. In an emergency, always call 999.