✧ The Spectrum ✧

celebrating the full spectrum of human identity

~ A Timeline of Progress ~

The arc of history bends toward justice - but only because people bend it.

1969

Stonewall Uprising - LGBTQ+ patrons resist police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, sparking the modern Pride movement

1973

American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from the DSM, declassifying it as a mental disorder

1978

Gilbert Baker creates the original eight-stripe rainbow flag for San Francisco Pride, commissioned by Harvey Milk

1990

World Health Organization removes homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases - this day becomes IDAHOBIT

2004

The first International Day Against Homophobia is observed, founded by Louis-Georges Tin

2011

UN Human Rights Council passes the first resolution on sexual orientation and gender identity

2015

Marriage equality achieved in many countries including the United States, Ireland, and others

2020

Sudan and Bhutan decriminalize same-sex relations; more countries continue progress toward equality

~ Why May 17? ~

On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization officially removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

This date was chosen for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) to commemorate that moment when the medical establishment finally acknowledged that being LGBTQ+ is not an illness.

The first IDAHOBIT was observed in 2004, organized by Louis-Georges Tin. Today it is recognized in over 130 countries.

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