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Capital Pride joins the international community in recognizing the 2020 International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

Having its roots in a Canadian organization, Fondation Émergence, the date was officially adopted worldwide to commemorate the decision of the World Health Organization on May 17, 1990, to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. Since its inception, the day aims to raise awareness around the advancement of 2SLGBTQ+ rights worldwide, while also shedding light on the challenges ahead.

“As a Pride organization located in our nation’s capital, we recognize the importance of being agents of change both domestically and internationally. Our advocacy work with embassies and high commissions, political leaders and decision-makers remains an important pillar of our mandate,” said Davy Sabourin, Capital Pride Chairperson. “Today we remember those who fought for our rights, and acknowledge the road ahead for the global 2SLGBTQ+ community,” he added.

The 2020 campaign announced by Fondation Émergence is: Family support is essential. The campaign emphasizes on the importance of having a loving, caring family. Capital Pride encourages everyone, wherever they may be, to reach out to 2SLGBTQ+ members of their family to let them know how much they are loved and appreciated.

Simultaneously, the 2020 international IDAHOBIT theme is: ‘’Breaking the Silence’’. While encouraging everyone to join and support the global Pride movement, Capital Pride recognizes and denounces the fact that 2SLGBTQ+ voices in many parts of the world continue to be silenced by socioeconomic, political, legal, cultural, and institutional oppression – extensively perpetuated by state-sponsored homophobia, biphobia, intersexphobia and transphobia.

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