Legacy Celebrates the LGBTQ+ Community May 17

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.

By Barrett White

 

In 1990, the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder, a decision that activists called long overdue. In 2004, the anniversary of the decision, May 17, became the international observance day to celebrate and empower the community.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia aims to draw the 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 who fall into the LGBTQ+ community.

The observance is celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. Thousands of initiatives, big and small, are reported around the globe.

Here at Legacy, an agency whose roots were planted in caring for the LGBTQ+ community in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, we are proud to continue our efforts to support and uplift the community with competent care, community initiatives, and a judgement-free environment behind every door.

To us, that means empowering every patient we see, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression – from the exam room to social services to advocacy. We see you, and we honor you.