IDAHOBIT (May 17)

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia falls on May 17 each year, commemorating the day in 1990 when the World Health Organization approved the removal of homosexuality from its classification of mental disorders. Launched by activists in 2005, it has become one of the most significant global observances focused on the situation of sexual and gender minorities: organizations publish reports, host talks and screenings, and light up landmarks. The name has grown with its scope — transphobia was added (IDAHOT), then biphobia, giving the current acronym IDAHOBIT.

May 17 carries an extra layer of memory in the Chinese-speaking world: on that date in 2019, Taiwan’s legislature passed its marriage equality act, making Taiwan the first place in Asia where same-sex couples can marry.

Register note: the full name is a mouthful; “May 17,” “IDAHOT,” or “IDAHOBIT” are all in common use (Chinese speakers often just write “5·17”). Its register differs from Pride Month in June — IDAHOBIT confronts fear, discrimination, and unfinished progress, while Pride leans toward celebration and visibility. The two are often mentioned together but are not the same thing.

Common mistranslation: rendering it as “International Gay Day.” The grammatical subject of this day is discrimination, not identity — it stands against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. See also depathologization.