Celebrating sexual and gender diversities worldwide
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Today, on 17 May, organisations and institutions all over the world are celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). This year’s theme focusses on ‘mental health and well-being’. Many barriers for LGBTQI people to full equality continue to exist and are still rooted in the identification of sexual and gender diversities as mental health problems. The annual theme of IDAHOT has been chosen to highlight two particular situations that LGBTQI people face.
Firstly, to obtain access to the health care they desire, e.g. in many countries a mental health diagnosis remains necessary for trans people. This diagnosis does not contribute to the mental health and well-being of trans people; it actually strengthens their social exclusion and stigmatisation. Secondly, many countries and institutions still use a ‘psychiatric argument’ to justify their attempt to treat or convert trans people.
Schools, universities and other education institutions are at the core of strengthening and promoting equal opportunities mutual respect and acceptance of diversity within education and society as a whole. Therefore acts of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia cannot be tolerated. Bullying and harassment, based on a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression occur every day within society and affect many lives, with the potential of long-lasting effects. Furthermore, these acts threaten both human and equal rights. Today, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) reaffirms its commitment to prevent and combat homophobia and transphobia at school, in workplaces and in society. As education trade unions play a vital role in protecting the rights of education personnel and students, it is crucial to ensure that education personnel can work in a safe environment and students can learn in an atmosphere of openness and respect, regardless a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. ETUCE invites its member organisations to join in today’s celebration of society’s diversity and calls on education trade unions to continue tackling any form of discrimination.
More information can be found here:
ETUCE 2012 joint commitment to combat homophobic bullying in schools, in workplaces and in society.