Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia...IDAHO...or IDAHOT for those wishing to be more inclusive.
On this day, the
The United Nations calls for the repeal of discriminatory laws.
When I raise these issues, some complain that I’m pushing for ‘new rights’ or ‘special rights’ for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. But there is nothing new or special about the right to life and security of person, the right to freedom from discrimination.
These and other rights are universal… enshrined in international law but denied to many of our fellow human beings simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,
We cannot let these abuses stand. We know what needs to be done. States must repeal discriminatory laws and ban discriminatory practices: punish violence and hatred… not love.
--Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
In connection with the Day, a UN spokesperson said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on States to tackle violence against LGBT people, decriminalize consensual same-sex relationships, ban discrimination and educate the public – and he “supports the High Commissioner’s message: ‘We are all human and we all deserve the same rights.’”
The spokesperson said Mr. Ban is distressed by the fact that LGBT people are discriminated against in the labour market, in schools and in healthcare, and are even abused and disowned by their own families.
“He is outraged that they are singled out for physical attack, even murder,” the spokesperson said. “And he has called for a repeal of laws, now on the books in 76 countries, that criminalize loving relationships between people of the same sex.”
