Unite the Union is proud to recognise International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on Friday 17 May. Known as IDAHOBIT for short, this date was chosen as it commemorates the date of the decision to remove homosexuality from classification as a mental illness by the World Health Organisation in 1990. The main purpose of IDAHOBIT is to raise awareness of ongoing discrimination, violence and persecution of LGBT+ people across the world.

Recent research by Stonewall, the national LGBT charity found that one in five and of LGBT people have experienced a hate crime because of their sexual orientation in the past year and over half of trans people have been subjected to a hate crime due to their gender identity. Around a quarter of LGBT people avoid some streets due to safety concerns and 13% have been discriminated against in a bar, restaurant or club venue in the past year. Trans people in particular still experience appalling levels of abuse on social media and are on the receiving end of misinformation and direct attacks from TV and print media.

FRUnite demands zero tolerance against discrimination, unfair treatment, bullying and harassment on any grounds. Should you experience any of these, get in touch with our Equalities Rep.