IDAHOBIT 2025
Celebrating the Power of Communities Amid Rising Hostility, Across The World.
Each year on 17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) serves as a global moment of reflection and resistance. In 2025, the theme, “The Power of Communities” could not be more timely or urgent. It recognises the strength, diversity, and resilience of LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide, particularly as trans and gender-diverse people face escalating hostility and legislative attacks in countries like the UK, and the United States.
IDAHOBIT matters more than ever, and it is more than a symbolic date; it is a rallying cry for visibility, solidarity, and action. It brings together individuals, organisations, and governments to spotlight the discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQIA+ people globally. This year’s theme, “The Power of Communities,” celebrates the collective strength found in grassroots organising, mutual aid, and allyship. It is a reminder that in the face of adversity, our communities are both refuge, and resistance, against an aggressive majority of people seeking to curtain our existence.
The UK: Legal Setbacks and Political Silence
In April 2025, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the term “sex” in the Equality Act refers to biological sex, not gender identity. This decision undermines the legal protections of all trans people, even those with Gender Recognition Certificates, and has been rightly condemned by human rights organisations worldwide.
The ruling has had both an immediate, and chilling effect on the trans community in the UK. The Scottish Government abandoned plans to ban conversion therapy, and waiting times for gender-affirming healthcare continue to grow. The tragic death of Alice Litman, a young trans woman who died by suicide after a prolonged wait for care in the UK, underscores the human cost of systemic neglect.
In response, major Pride events in cities like London, Manchester, and Brighton have banned political party participation, citing a lack of protection for trans rights, and a continued neglect and silence from the party in power, Labour. This grassroots action (IDAHOBIT) reflects a growing distrust in political institutions and a renewed emphasis on community-led advocacy.
The United States: A Coordinated Legislative Assault
Across the Atlantic, the United States is experiencing an unprecedented wave of anti-trans legislation. As of May 2025, nearly 900 bills targeting LGBTQIA+ rights have been introduced, with over 100 passed into law. These bills span a range of issues, including healthcare, education, and sports.
The Trump administration has intensified these efforts to directly target trans people, and has used trans people as a political football, ever since he started campaigning for his second term. A recent executive order seeks to “restore biological truth” (whatever that means), to federal policy, effectively erasing recognition of transgender identities. In the military, transgender service members are being targeted for discharge through mandatory screenings for gender dysphoria.
These policies have devastating consequences on the real lives of trans people. Rosalyn Sandri, a trans teacher in Texas, was forced to resign after a post on social media referencing her being trans, was used to directly target her, leading to death threats and political pressure. Her story is emblematic of the broader climate of fear and hostility facing trans individuals in the ‘freedom loving’, U.S.A.
The Power of Communities – 2025
In the face of these challenges, communities are mobilising. From mutual aid networks to legal advocacy, LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies are organising to protect, and uplift one another. WOT have also stepped up our efforts. This year’s IDAHOBIT theme underscores the importance of these efforts, highlighting the role of our communities in fostering resilience and driving positive change in the world.
World Pride 2025, set to begin in Washington, D.C., is a testament to this spirit of defiance and solidarity. Despite the hostile political climate, organisers are pressing forward, emphasising the urgency of visibility and resistance.
IDAHOBIT 2025 is not just a day of remembrance; it is a call to action. As trans and gender-diverse people face mounting threats in the UK, the U.S., and beyond, the need for solidarity has never been greater. By harnessing the power of communities, we can resist oppression, support one another, and continue the fight for equality and justice.
Let us mark this day, by standing together, amplifying marginalised voices, and reaffirming our commitment to a world where everyone can live with dignity and pride.
IDAHOBIT 2025 Theme – The Power of Communities
