Technolandy

Day 157 (of 2024/25) May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia #idahobit

Who are the people in your neighbourhood – a great song and saying I still remember from my early years watching Sesame Street. 

Despite significant progress, LGBTQIA+ people continue to face challenges in accessing their basic rights. The last few months, in particular, have been riddled with alarming, escalating threats to the lives and dignity of our communities. Inclusion may be uncomfortable at times… for some… but it is always worthwhile…

The biggest ‘awkward’ I deal with (sorry, another “Landy-ism”) is that inclusion in our school means all – so the students who see connection with the Pride Flag in our building as well as the people who are racist and sexist and genderist etc – all are welcome in the building, but hateful thoughts and words and actions are not. 

And I’ve seen progress… I still have some families who shake their heads when I am sporting an obvious message via my tie (today I am wearing one of my pride ties to show I am an ally) but the hateful emails I have received have evolved… they have led to uncomfortable conversations… they have led to ‘interesting’ questions… (I always am reminded of Shakespeare by those who are most outspoken… methinks thou dost protest too much…) and in a couple of cases – good questions and awareness/acceptance – as one family emailed me – ‘thank you for the information that you put in the WAG (week at a glance note) when/why ‘things’ happen (eg pink shirt day assembly – about more than bullying, but gender focused bullying) as it lets us make decisions as a family’ .   I know that often it will mean that the family will ‘opt out’ of the gathering (online school, so everything is a choice) but I also know that they are becoming more aware of the ‘why’ we make a big deal about certain days – like tomorrows day against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. 

Why May 17th? May 17, 1990 was when the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. Though there are still many political regions where homosexuality in general is a crime. Imagine if it was redheads that were banned – nothing the individual can do about who they are and what their hair is… oh, except to cover it up and hide who they are to make ‘others’ more comfortable…?

What is causing/continuing the phobias? Why does hate happen so much about who other people are in relationships with (or not in relationships… I see the “As” in the room!) sexual or otherwise. 

Why the acronym? There is no global consensus which means there’s still some ‘figuring it out’ – such as around intersex (and intersexism as well as intersexphobia) and I note the lack of the “2/2S” sometimes  ~ my own acronym focus is LGBTQ2IA+ while many in Canada put 2S (2 spirit) at the start to acknowledge indigenous reconciliation, but the ‘history major’ in me wants to continue the work that started as LGB when I was at university and was not aware of how many  friends (from high school and then university) wished that they could publicly say how the acronym helped them with their own identity…

Check out https://may17.org for more information!