Raising The Flag On IDAHOT Day 2016

Organisations across Dyfed-Powys will be celebrating International Day Against Homophobia, Bi-phobia and Transphobia on Tuesday May 17. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The date has been dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia, Bi-phobia and Transphobia, (IDAHOT Day) , marking the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It is an annual landmark drawing the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, opinion leaders and local authorities to the stigma, abuse and discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people continue to face in society. The rainbow flag is a symbol of their struggles for equality, dignity and respect within society. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

May 17 is now celebrated in more than 120 countries as a day which encourages hundreds of supporting activities, events and actions all over the world. These activities unite millions of people in support of upholding human rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

On IDAHOT Day organisations across Dyfed Powys representing education, fire and rescue services, health, local authority and police services, together with a variety of voluntary bodies will show their support and commitment to equality and diversity in a number of ways, including: flying the rainbow flag on key buildings, distributing orange IDAHOT awareness ribbons to staff, raising awareness on social media, using rainbow screensavers and issuing guidance to staff reinforcing the zero tolerance message. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A representative from the Dyfed Powys Hate Crime Forum said “On IDAHOT Day this year, public authorities and third sector organisations within Dyfed Powys, through the Dyfed Powys Hate Crime Forum, have made a joint partnership commitment to continuing our work in raising awareness, working with the public and our staff to ensure that our local communities and workplaces are safe and welcoming environments where people feel free to be themselves.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A hate crime or incident happens to someone because of who they are. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

To report a hate crime, you can visit your local police station in person, or speak to your community Police Officer or PCSO. In an emergency call 999. For general questions or to tell the police about a crime or incident that is no longer happening call 101. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​