Why This IDAHOBIT is Different
14 May 2025
One year ago, Thorne Harbour Health stepped away from X (formerly known as Twitter) to take a stand against harmful online rhetoric on IDAHOBIT (International Day Against LGBTIQA+ Discrimination). In the months since, it’s become increasingly clear that this was the right decision. While Australia’s recent election results have sparked optimism for a more inclusive future, the past year has also seen a troubling rise in hostility against LGBTIQA+ people.
Targeted abuse and attacks on gay and bisexual men, trans and gender diverse people, and other community members are still happening. Discrimination in Australian workplaces is still happening. And queer folks in countries allied with Australia are also suffering.
The changing landscape in the United States has made a concerning undercurrent of hatred for queer communities even more evident. In the United Kingdom, a unanimous Supreme Court ruling in April determined that trans women are not legally considered women. Like the rest of the West, the European Union seems to be teetering on the edge of conservatism, with some countries embracing LGBTIQA+ communities and others clinging to bigotry.
We know these aren’t just talking points in a broader discussion about the ‘culture wars’. Real people – people in our communities – are experiencing the impacts of this injustice every single day.
IDAHOBIT celebrates the day the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases, thanks to mounting pressure from LGBTIQA+ activists and growing scientific consensus. The fitting theme for this year’s celebration is “The Power of Communities”. As queer people, we have always found safety, solidarity, and support within community. From taking to the streets in protest to mobilising in response to the AIDS epidemic to creating chosen families, community is a powerful part of who we are.
We always encourage our communities to empower one another, to demand better laws, and to accept nothing less than culturally competent care from service providers. However, we also know that emotional capacity can be a limited resource – watching the world backslide can take a toll. Even the most outspoken community leaders in queer advocacy can experience burnout and need support.
That’s why this year, we want to call LGBTIQA+ allies to action – not just on IDAHOBIT, but every day. Allyship means being bold enough to stand up to discrimination and brave enough to hold yourself accountable. Allyship means being a model of inclusivity and respect. Allyship means being visible as an ally and creating safer spaces, even when surrounded by people who disagree.
The fight against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia isn’t over, but we’re hopeful that the power of our communities and the strength of our allies can bring us a bit closer to a better future. Getting involved in IDAHBOIT 2025 can look like donating your time to Thorne Harbour Health, planning an educational session for your workplace or school, or fundraising for an LGBTIQA+ charity. It can also be as simple as making a commitment to become a stronger ally. No matter your identity, every action – big or small – helps build a world where queer people can live with the dignity, safety, and pride they deserve.
To learn more about IDAHOBIT and allyship, head here.