International Day Against Homophobia

International Day Against Homophobia: 17 May

17 May is marked as International Day Against Homophobia because it was on 17 May 1993 that the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.

There are over 70 countries in the world where it is a criminal offence to be gay, and in seven of these countries the punishment could be death. This Day aims to raise awareness of homophobia and campaign against it. The official website has further information: www.idahomophobia.org but there is also a Canadian website at www.homophobiaday.com which has extensive background information and suggestions for teaching.