Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT)

Today on the occasion of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), we join individuals, organisations and movements around the world in celebrating love and sexual and gender freedom.

We, the members of MenEngage Alliance from across 84 countries around the world, recognize and reaffirm the human rights of all people regardless of identity, nationality, ability or ethnicity – past, present and future. As an international and diverse Alliance we celebrate and stand “together always, united in diversity”, which is one of our foundational principles. We take this moment to acknowledge LGBTIQ members of MenEngage Alliance and partner organisations and networks, and stand with LGBTIQ people and communities all over the world in our commitment to bodily autonomy and gender expression

The heteronormative and misogynistic patriarchal culture we inhabit still excludes millions of people and denies them the same human rights enjoyed by heterosexual and cis-gender people.

MenEngage Alliance strives to eradicate homophobia, transphobia and sexism, and joins LGBTIQ movements in calling for the end of patriarchy and gender discrimination that are at the root of all forms of violence against LGBTQI people and communities. As an Alliance of networks and organisations working to transform patriarchal masculinities and engage men and boys in gender equality and social justice, today and every day, we want to amplify and elevate the work of all the LGBTIQ human rights defenders. We acknowledge the lives of LGBTIQ people from Mexico to Uganda, from Bangladesh to Fiji, from Germany to Madagascar and beyond all borders. We stand in solidarity with social change movements to disrupt the patriarchal institutions, ideologies and practices that continue to uphold violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identities and sexual characteristics.

Amidst the rising backlash against LGBTIQ rights, this is a critical moment to stand together to protect our shared human rights. Gender equality and human rights can only be a reality when all human beings are fully recognized in their entirety and diverse selves.

Find out more at www.may17.org

Together with SOGIESC Learning Circle, MenEngage Alliance