The most recent Rainbow Britain Report indicates a favourable trend towards greater acceptance of same-sex relationships and people identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual in the UK. Stonewall's findings also suggest an increase in both acceptance and self-disclosure of non-straight sexual orientations.
Despite this progress, discrimination and violence towards gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals persist both in the UK and globally. Therefore, it’s important that we support and highlight the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex people, and all of those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. 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.
There are still 62 countries in the world which criminalise homosexuality, with physical punishments and even the death penalty.
Edinburgh Napier University is committed to providing a learning, working and social environment that is free from discrimination, prejudice, intimidation, stigmatisation and all forms of harassment and bullying. We are proud to be supporting colleagues from the LGBT+ community through our LGBT+ Staff Network, and our partnership with Stonewall Scotland as Diversity Champion.
We also support a range of research on queer inclusion such as the RESIST project. “RESIST addresses ‘anti-gender’ politics that imperil equality, gender and sexual diversity, and legitimacy of critical knowledge in contemporary Europe.”
May 17 is a chance for allies to support LGBT+ equality by voicing our concerns and advocating for more justice and legal protection. You can do so by using the hashtags #IDAHOBIT and #IDAHOBIT2023 in your social media posts to raise awareness of the campaign. Share information about the campaign, its objectives, and why it is important to you. You can also share your own stories and experiences and join in the conversation about the importance of combating homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia.
There are also a number of useful resources on the May 17 website, including an interactive map of Trans Rights in Europe and Central Asia, which shows progress of legal recognition and protection of trans people in each country.
As individuals and as a university, we must continue to support the LGBT+ community and work towards creating a society that is free from discrimination and prejudice.