The global IDAHOBIT Advisory Committee has announced the theme for 2026, highlighting the essential role of justice and equity in strengthening truly democratic societies. The commemoration invites communities worldwide to come together to cultivate change.
The global Advisory Committee of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) has unveiled the theme for the 2026 edition: “The Heart of Democracy.” The theme underlines that no democracy can be complete without guaranteeing rights and dignified living conditions for all people, including LGBTQIA+ communities.
IDAHOBIT, observed every 17 May, marks the historic 1990 decision by the World Health Organization to remove homosexuality from its list of diseases. Since its first edition in 2005, the day has become a global rallying point to denounce violence, promote rights, and highlight sexual and gender diversity. Thousands of activities take place each year across the world, ranging from small community initiatives to large-scale institutional events.
The 2026 theme was selected after an extensive consultation process with regional and global LGBTQIA+ networks. The Advisory Committee underscores that in the face of rising reactionary policies and exclusionary legislation in various countries, it is essential to remember that democracy can only flourish when it protects everyone. The message of IDAHOBIT 2026 invites communities to “prepare the ground” for a more just future, acknowledging the role LGBTQIA+ people have played in resisting setbacks and building more equal societies.
The 2026 commemoration aims to highlight how local actions can reinforce a shared democratic vision. Whether through artistic interventions, community gatherings, public debates, or advocacy days, each initiative—large or small—helps nurture a democratic ecosystem that fully includes sexual and gender diversity.
IDAHOBIT is guided by an international Advisory Group that sets the strategic direction of the day, and since 2023 its secretariat has been hosted by ILGA World, which coordinates global resources, supports local initiatives, and documents the celebration worldwide. After two decades, IDAHOBIT has become a widely recognized global milestone, celebrated in more than 150 countries and supported by social organizations, governments, and international institutions.
Looking ahead to 2026, the message is clear: to place the rights and lives of LGBTQIA+ people at the heart of democracy, remembering that a society’s ability to flourish depends on genuine inclusion and a shared commitment to justice.
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