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International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2025

The theme for IDAHOBIT in 2025 is The power of communities, which reflects the diversity and richness within LGBTQIA+ communities and celebrates the varied and intersecting backgrounds, identities, and experiences the community encompasses.

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IDAHOBIT 2025

*Please note this article discusses themes of violence and discrimination in relation to gender and sexuality, and will touch on issues of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. Resources and support are included at the end of the article.

If you experience or witness homophobia, biphobia or transphobia you can access support and / or report (anonymously if preferred) through the Queen Mary  Report + Support tool.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) was created in 2004, with the date of 17 May specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization declassifying homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1990.

IDAHOBIT draws attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people; The day is incredibly important for raising awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, and for highlighting the work that still needs to be done to ensure that everyone can live free from discrimination and violence.

The power of communities

The theme for IDAHOBIT in 2025 is The power of communities, which reflects the diversity and richness within LGBTQIA+ communities and celebrates the varied and intersecting backgrounds, identities, and experiences the community encompasses.

The theme also highlights the strength and resilience that emerges from collective solidarity, recognising the contributions of human rights defenders, LGBTQIA+ civil society groups, allies, and millions of people across communities who support human rights and collective liberation.

Why is IDAHOBIT needed?

Many LGBTQIA+ people continue to experience bigotry, hatred and discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.

Hate crime statistics released in 2024 show that, in England and Wales, there were falls in hate crime offences recorded by the police on the basis of sexual orientation (fell by 8%) and transgender identity (fell by 2%) for the year 2023/2024.

These reductions are within the context of a large increase in hate crimes against trans people and hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation in recent years.

It is also important to recognise the intersectional nature of identity. As in previous years, the majority of hate crimes were racially motivated, accounting for over two-thirds of such offences. A 25% increase in religious hate crimes compared with the previous year was also reported. This can have a compounding impact on LGBTQIA+ individuals who may suffer homophobia, biphobia or transphobia in combination with racism, ableism and other prejudices such as antisemitism or Islamophobia.

Following the recent Supreme Court judgement regarding the legal definitions of sex under the Equality Act 2010, we know that many members of our Queen Mary community may have questions about what this means.

The Equality Act has not changed, and protections against harassment and discrimination remain in place within the Equality Act, including on the grounds of sex and gender reassignment. At this stage, we are awaiting further clarity on the practical implications of the judgement for our organisation.

You can read more in our full statement: Queen Mary update on the UK Supreme Court Ruling

What is Queen Mary doing about homophobia, biphobia and transphobia?

At Queen Mary we want to create an inclusive environment where LGBTQIA+ staff and students are valued and supported, where everyone can be themselves and be treated with kindness, dignity and respect.

Our Strategy 2030 sets out Queen Mary’s commitment and ambition to be the most inclusive university of its kind, anywhere; realising this vision means being a university of choice for LGBTQIA+ people to study and work.

Homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and acephobia are terms used to describe the fear or dislike or someone, based on prejudice or negative attitudes, beliefs or views about people who are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, queer, trans, bi or asexual (ace)+. it may be realised through acts of discrimination, bullying and harassment.

This kind of behaviour can take many forms such as name-calling, derogatory jokes, intrusive or hostile questioning, threatening to ‘out’ someone, as well as unwanted physical contact and violence. It can happen verbally, in writing, in person or virtually (e.g. by email, messages, social media). Whatever unlawful form it takes, it is always unacceptable. 

Queen Mary’s Trans Inclusion Statement of Commitment 2022 lays out the University’s balanced approach and position to trans inclusion. As well as synthesising our legal duties it further incorporates our Values (Inclusive, Proud, Ambitious, Collegial, Ethical).

If you experience or witness homophobia, biphobia or transphobia you can report it (anonymously if you like) and / or access support through the Queen Mary Report + Support tool. Our statement on Preventing Harassment, Bullying and Hate Crime and our Dignity at Work and Study procedure are available online.

Incidents of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia may constitute a criminal offence as a hate incident or hate crime under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Criminal Justice Act 2003. If you believe you have been a victim of a hate incident or hate crime you are within your rights to contact the police.

As a student at Queen Mary, you can access a variety of support including:

There are also lots of external organisations who can offer support, which are linked to at the bottom of the page. 

What can you do to help combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia?

The Queen Mary Bystander is a colleague who is equipped and confident to challenge unacceptable behaviour, encouraging inclusivity and collegiality in everything we do. Behaviours like bullying, intimidation, and sexual harassment contribute to a toxic working culture; intervening helps us to build a more positive workplace.

Find out more about bystander intervention tools for acting on unacceptable behaviour.

Find out more about the LGBTQIA+ community

Further sources of information, resources and support were also published as part of LGBTQIA+ History Month 2025 and remain accessible.                               

 

 

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