The 17th of May each year is the International Day against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, also known as IDAHOT. On this day in 1990, the World Health Organization took homosexuality off the international list of diseases, where homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder. In many places, the rainbow flag is flown and activities are organized.

In Wageningen there are also several activities this year.

The rainbow flag will fly at Wageningen University, at city hall, and at the Unilever building on campus. SHOUT has also contacted other organizations and associations with a request for raising a (digital) rainbow flag and sharing this on social media with #WageningenCityOfRainbows, #IDAHOT, #May17, #LGBTQ. We hope many of them will agree to this request to show they reject the exclusion of and violence and discrimination against LGBTQ people.

SHOUT will once again share pictures sent to us by organizations on our social media.

If you are curious about the science behind the effect of these symbols supporting the LGBTQ+ community, we recommend this article by Movisie (in Dutch):

https://www.movisie.nl/artikel/belang-symbolen-zichtbaarheid-internationale-dag-tegen-lhbti-fobie

Pride in the Workplace

SHOUT is also organizing an activity where we will talk about LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace, and the importance of being able to be yourself at work. With a panel of 5 LGBTQ+ people from various sectors we will discuss what an LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace means.

You can read more about the activity here: https://shoutwageningen.nl/en/panelists-pride-in-the-workplace/

Signing up is possibly until May 17th 16.00 via: https://forms.gle/K9ZCxbiXFcChcRrH8

May 17th: IDAHO/IDAHOT/IDAHOBIT?

The International Day against LGBTQ-phobia is a day on which organizations all over the world call attention to the subject of hate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sexual characteristics. This day is known under the acronyms IDAHO or IDAHOT (International Day Against HOmophobia and Transphobia), IDAHOTB or  IDAHOBIT (International Day Against HOmophobia, BIphobia and Transphobia). In more than 150 countries, more and more activities are being organized. The day is recognized by several countries and governments, including the European Parliament.