By Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine Staff

On May 17, 1990, the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD 10), which no longer listed homosexuality as a diagnosis.

In 2004, the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOT) was launched, commemorating a global day for education about LGBTQ+ people and to advocate for sensible public policies involving the LGBTQ+ community worldwide.

The COVID-19 pandemic undeniably increased the vulnerability of LGBTQ+ people. For a community consistently facing bias, physical abuse, and murder (for simply existing), the pandemic has quickly become an additional obstacle for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking and receiving care.

According to the WHO website, “as the pandemic unfolds, the United Nations will continue to highlight these and other injustices, as well as the need for everyone to be protected and included in response to the crisis.”

Las Vegas PRIDE joins the WHO and LGBTQ+ serving organizations worldwide to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender, intersex people, and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

Learn more about IDAHOT and how you can participate, stand united against discrimination, and stand up for all global citizens’ right to live free and equal in dignity www.un.org.

This article was originally published in the Family & Pets Issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.