Every year on May 17, the world comes together to commemorate and stand in solidarity for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals through an important occasion known as IDAHOBIT 2025 or the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. In Thai, it is called “วันต่อต้านความเกลียดกลัวคนรักเพศเดียวกัน คนรักสองเพศ และคนข้ามเพศสากล” For the year 2025, the global theme is “The Power of Communities” — a deeply meaningful and powerful message that highlights the vital role communities play in supporting and advancing gender and sexual equality around the world.
History and Origins of IDAHOBIT 2025
IDAHOBIT, or the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, was first established in 2004 by French human rights activist Louis-Georges Tin. He recognized that although progress had been made in advancing LGBTQ+ rights in some countries, LGBTQ+ individuals in many parts of the world still face widespread discrimination, violence, and exclusion—in legal systems, education, healthcare, and society at large.
The decision to designate May 17 as IDAHOBIT carries deep symbolic meaning. On this day in 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially removed “homosexuality” from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
Before that, homosexuality was pathologized and treated as a mental illness, which justified state-sanctioned stigma, imprisonment, forced treatment, and violence against LGBTQ+ people for decades.
WHO’s decision in 1990 marked a critical turning point in LGBTQ+ history. It became a foundation for greater global recognition and inspired LGBTQ+ rights movements across the world throughout the following decades.
Since the first IDAHOBIT in 2004, the day has grown into a truly global observance. Within just a few years, more than 50 countries had joined the movement. Today, IDAHOBIT is commemorated in over 130 countries, including many where LGBTQ+ rights are still criminalized or heavily restricted.
What sets IDAHOBIT apart from other LGBTQ+ observances is its focus on opposing “phobias”—such as:
- Homophobia: fear or hatred toward people attracted to the same sex
- Biphobia: prejudice against bisexual individuals
- Transphobia: fear or hostility toward transgender people
The day also provides space for communities worldwide to express themselves symbolically, vocally, and through grassroots action, in ways that reflect their unique local contexts. It serves as a powerful reminder for governments, institutions, and media to acknowledge and address the structural violence and discrimination still experienced by LGBTQ+ communities.
Ultimately, IDAHOBIT is not just a celebration—it is a day of visibility, resistance, and collective empowerment. It is a global statement: “We are not a mistake. And we should never be made to feel ashamed of who we are.”
The Meaning Behind the IDAHOBIT 2025 Theme: “The Power of Communities”
For IDAHOBIT 2025, the global theme “The Power of Communities” was carefully selected through extensive consultations with LGBTQIA+ organizations around the world. It was officially announced at the ILGA World Conference 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. This theme profoundly reflects the heart of LGBTQIA+ social movements and their collective strength.
“The Power of Communities” goes far beyond the idea of gathering people who are similar. It signifies the power of diversity living together with understanding, solidarity, and unwavering support. It is a reminder that lasting social change can never be achieved alone, but only when many voices rise together in unity.
This theme also broadens and deepens the concept of “community” to include:
- 🏠 Families and close ones who listen with open hearts and accept their children for who they are
- 👭 Friends and peer groups who stand by even when the outside world does not understand
- 🌐 Online communities that offer safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals to connect, find inspiration, and heal
- 🏛️ Civil society and human rights organizations that advocate for policies and legal change
- 💼 Businesses and educational institutions that are willing to adapt and commit to structural equality
“The Power of Communities” is a powerful reminder that LGBTQIA+ people do not seek to be above anyone, but rather to live alongside others with dignity and equality. A good community doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to show up for each other, especially on the hardest days.
In a world still plagued by fear, violence, and rejection of diversity, this theme is a call to hope: If we have communities that stand behind us, we truly can change the world. And in times when some still have to hide who they are, a safe, understanding, and accepting community can be the lifeline that gives them strength to survive—and grow.
The Role of Communities in Advancing LGBTQ+ Rights
LGBTQ+ communities are not merely survivors of social oppression. They are key agents of change, driving the world forward toward justice and equality. Across the globe—and in Thailand—we have witnessed their impact in many powerful and multifaceted ways:
1. Public Advocacy and Visibility
Pride parades are not just celebratory events. They are bold statements: “We are here. We exist. And we deserve dignity.” In many countries—including Thailand with events such as We All Pride Thailand and Chiang Mai Pride—Pride marches have become platforms for public dialogue on LGBTQ+ rights. These gatherings create opportunities for society to learn from lived experiences and challenge prejudice through visibility and solidarity.
2. Creating Safe Spaces
Community organizations around the world, including in Thailand (e.g., Fah Sai Rung, SWING Foundation, and Mplus Thailand), have established safe spaces where LGBTQ+ youth and individuals rejected by their families can seek help, receive counseling, or find temporary shelter. These safe spaces are often the only lifeline for people who feel isolated or hopeless in a world that still struggles to provide safety and understanding.
3. Cross-Identity Solidarity
The true power of LGBTQ+ communities lies in building bridges with other marginalized groups—such as women’s rights activists, indigenous communities, people with disabilities, labor movements, and youth networks. There is a shared understanding that true liberation only happens when everyone is free. This intersectional approach strengthens collective advocacy and builds more inclusive movements for justice.
4. Digital Communities in the Modern Era
Social media and digital tools have opened new doors for LGBTQ+ communities to access information, share encouragement, and mobilize action like never before. Online platforms have become: Spaces for healing and storytelling, Channels for pushing national policy change, Tools for creating visibility in places where it may not be safe to do so offline. Even a single post, shared from a corner of the internet, can spark conversations, shape public opinion, and remind someone they are not alone.
IDAHOBIT and the Creation of Safe Spaces Through the Power of Communities
One of the most meaningful reflections of “The Power of Communities”, the global theme for IDAHOBIT 2025, is the creation of Safe Spaces for people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. This is especially critical for LGBTQIA+ youth, who continue to face immense pressures in daily life—whether it’s bullying at school, rejection from family, or deep confusion about their identity.
Creating safe spaces goes beyond the physical realm. It also includes emotional and social environments where people can exist free from judgment, bias, and violence. Over the years, LGBTQ+ communities have played a vital role in establishing these spaces in various forms.
What Does a Safe Space Really Mean for LGBTQ+ People?
- 🏠 Counseling centers and shelters for those who have been rejected by their families
- 💬 Online discussion groups—like Facebook communities or Discord servers—offering supportive and non-judgmental environments
- 🎨 Workshops and creative events that give LGBTQ+ youth safe avenues for expression
- 🏫 Education reform that turns schools into inclusive spaces through anti-discrimination policies and training for teachers and staff
Across Thailand—in cities like Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Phitsanulok—these efforts have been actively driven by independent organizations, youth groups, and student networks. One notable example is the Safe Space for All initiative, which organizes gender and diversity education events to promote inclusion in schools.
These Safe Spaces are far more than places of refuge. They are foundations for healing, sources of emotional strength, and launchpads for empowerment. They enable LGBTQIA+ individuals to feel less alone, and more importantly, to find the courage to speak out, assert their identities, and claim their rights.
In the context of IDAHOBIT, safe spaces represent the very roots of the equality movement. Because when people feel safe, they can rise. They can express themselves. And they can help push society in a more inclusive, understanding, and compassionate direction.
IDAHOBIT and the Vital Role of Allies
Under the 2025 IDAHOBIT theme “The Power of Communities,” one crucial component that cannot be overlooked is the role of Allies—individuals who may not identify as LGBTQ+ themselves, but choose to stand beside, support, and actively foster understanding of LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
In a world still saturated with prejudice, discrimination, and misunderstanding, allies serve as essential “bridges”—connecting differences, expanding empathy, and spreading awareness to those who might otherwise remain closed off or uninformed. Allies can be found in many corners of society. Here’s how they contribute:
| 🧩 Type of Ally | 🛠️ Key Role | 🌈 Positive Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 👩🏫 Teachers / School Staff | Protect LGBTQ+ students from bullying; Promote inclusive, non-discriminatory policies | Help youth feel safe, confident to express themselves, and reduce dropout rates |
| 👨👩👧👦 Parents / Families | Accept their children as they are; Learn about gender and sexual diversity | Reduce feelings of isolation; Strengthen family bonds and emotional support |
| 🧑💼 Colleagues / Managers | Advocate for equal workplace benefits; Oppose discrimination in the workplace | Promote fairness and inclusion; Foster sustainable, LGBTQ+-friendly work cultures |
| 🎤 Public Figures / Influencers | Use platforms to share accurate information; Speak up for the voiceless | Amplify awareness to broader audiences; Shift public attitudes positively |
| 🌐 Everyday Online Users | Show support on social media; Actively counter hate speech constructively | Create safer, more hopeful online spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals |
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IDAHOBIT 2025 is more than a day of historical remembrance — it is proof that true social change begins with the power of people. This year, under the theme “The Power of Communities,” we are all invited to recognize the value of togetherness — as a network of hope, support, and solidarity that refuses to leave anyone behind.
Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+ or as an ally, whether you’re a student in a small school or a business owner in a big city — every voice, every space, and every hand extended becomes a collective force that makes the world safer, fairer, and more loving. Because in the end, gender and sexual equality is not the goal of one group alone — it is a shared journey for all of society. And it is community that gives us the courage to keep walking — never alone again.
Reference:
What is IDAHOBIT?
- may17.org
The theme for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
- ilga.org/news/the-power-of-communities-idahobit-2025-theme-announced
เดินต่อไปข้างหน้า ด้วยพลังของชุมชน
- thaitga.org/contents?id=370