Brighton to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on 17 May

Brighton is set to mark theInternational Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia(IDAHOBIT) with a community‑led vigil on Sunday, 17 May , as LGBTQ+ organisations and supporters gather in the city centre.

This year's theme is “At the heart of democracy” and the event will take place at 1.30pm on the steps of theUnitarian Church onNew Road and is open to all members of the public. Organisers are encouraging people to bring friends, flags and noise‑makers to ensure the city is visibly represented during the global day of action.

IDAHOBIT is observed annually on 17 May and is recognised worldwide as a moment of solidarity for LGBTQ+ communities. The date marks the anniversary of the World Health Organisation ’s decision in 1990 to remove homosexuality from its list of mental health disorders.

IDAHOBIT is described by its international organisers as a decentralised global mobilisation, rather than a single campaign. Individuals and groups are free to mark the day in ways that reflect their own priorities, while remaining linked by a shared international theme and date.

This year’s global theme and downloadable visual resources are available via may17.org, allowing communities to share messaging across social media and networks.