International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHO)

May 17, 2013

On May 17, 1990, the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization approved the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD 10), which no longer listed homosexuality as a diagnosis. The day has become an international occasion to educate about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people, and to advocate for sensible public policies regarding LGBT people.

IDAHO creates a valuable opportunity for psychologists to engage in public education activities. The APA's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Office (LGBTCO) offers a range of resources from informational brochures to APA policy statements to comprehensive reports that can be used to support your efforts. These resources can be used not only on May 17, and not only to educate the general public and LGBT people about what psychology has to say about sexual orientation and gender identity, but also media professionals, policy makers and others. Please let the LGBTCO know of activities you decide to undertake and contact the office if you have questions or need technical assistance.

• Check out APA's new resource, When LGBT People Face Forced Migration, Are Refugees or Asylum Seekers, or Are Victims of Torture: What Is the Role of Psychology?
• Learn more about the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia and what is going on around the world to commemorate the day. For reports on past year's activities around the world, click through the "About" tab and scroll down the page.
• Teach the IDAHO Lesson, which educates students about how homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools creates unsafe environments that lead to negative learning outcomes for all students.
• Read the APA booklet, Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel or en español, which is a featured resource in the IDAHO Lesson.
• APA members may download The Psychology of Sexual Orientation  (PDF, 212KB): A Modular Lesson Plan/Teaching Resource for High School Psychology Teachers.
• Visit the IDAHO Facebook pages to read postings, add your own and "like" and "share" the page:
  • International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia — the Global page

• Resources for legislative advocacy and working with the media

• LGBT Concerns and International Psychology

• International Network on LGBT Issues in Psychology

• Guidelines for Psychological Practice with LGB Clients

• Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality or versión en español

• Answers to Your Questions About Transgender People, Gender Identity and Gender Expression

• Answers to Your Questions About Individuals with Intersex Conditions

• Report of the APA Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation

• Report of the APA Task Force on Gender Identity and Gender Variance

• Lesbian and Gay Parenting

• APA Policy Statements on LGBT Concerns