17. May 2023: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Inter* and Trans*phobia

May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Inter* and Trans*phobia (IDAHOBIT*). The day aims for respect and acceptance for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, inter* and trans* people and all other people with non-heteronormative identities. At the same time attention is drawn to the discrimination and persecution of queer people. At the University of Mannheim there are support services and networking opportunities for queer people.

This year's motto of the international IDAHOBIT* is “Together always: united in diversity”. It reflects the importance of groups and networking within the queer community. These groups and spaces enable the mutual exchange of personal experiences and offer a platform for the concerns and demands of queer people. As of today there still is an urgent need for such meeting places for queer people as a safe space that is intended to be free of discrimination, bullying and experiences of violence.

At the University of Mannheim you will find opportunities to get in touch with queer groups or to find support if you experience discrimination and/or violence. »Queer im Schloss« provides a community and a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer, inter*, asexual, aromantic and agender LGBTQIA+ students. Employees, researchers and teachers at the University of Mannheim who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum meet regularly for the »Queer Coffee Break« in the palace.

If you experience discrimination and/or violence you will find support and consultation at the various counseling services of the university.

The motto “Always together” is also a call to all non-queer people to act as allies against homophobic, biphobic, interphobic and transphobic discrimination and violence. Each heterosexual and cisgender person can get actively involved. You may find a valuable insight on the topic of “Straight Allyship”.in this radio broadcast by Deutschlandfunk Nova (February 12, 2021 / German only) and in this opinion piece by the gay journalist Carlos Maza (June 9, 2016 / English only).

The events in and around Mannheim for this year's IDAHOBIT* offer everyone a good opportunity to stand up for diversity together and united:

May 17, 2023, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Come together and demonstration “Visible together in the heart of Mannheim!" – Offenes Netzwerk LSBTTIQ Mannheim, Paradeplatz Mannheim
May 17, 2023, from 7:00 p.m.: Discussion panel “MPs answer to the queer community” – Offenes Netzwerk LSBTTIQ Mannheim, Queeres Zentrum Mannheim
May 17, 2023, 11 a.m.: Public guided tour “Cross and Queer through Heidelberg”, QueerTour Heidelberg, Karlsplatz / Sebastian-Münster-Brunnen, Heidelberg
May 17, 2023, from 4 p.m.: IDAHOBALTI* Heidelberg: street festival, queer network Heidelberg, Anatomiegarten, Heidelberg

LGBTQIA+ is an abbreviation and stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer, inter*, asexual, aromantic and agender people. The + indicates that other sexual identities or gender identities exist as well.

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