Today is the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, and we want to talk about noise – and how to turn it off.

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There is a kind of noise that LGBTI persons around the world know all too well: lesbophobia, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and interphobia are a constant presence in our lives. They sometimes are in the background, like an annoying buzz that we try our best to ignore. Some other times, they dangerously come to the forefront, in all shapes and sizes.

What’s more, they may not even come from the outside. The negativity long directed at us is always ready to surface in how we talk to ourselves, or in how we point fingers at people within our own community.

These negative feelings do not act by themselves: they intersect with other aspects of our identities, and with the discrimination that we face based on them. They stay with us every time. Each of them different from one another, each of them taking its toll.

It seems like a pretty grim picture.
But if there’s one thing we can do, is to keep talking about how this negativity impacts our lives. We speak up to silence the noise.

Today, ILGA is proud to launch its #TurnItOff campaign.

Starting on May 17, and running for a whole week, the campaign will give voice to LGBTI persons and human rights defenders from around the world. They will tell their stories, casting a light on how LGBTI-phobia had an impact on their lives and it intersected with their identities, and will share practical tips for our allies to support rainbow communities.

This year’s theme for IDAHOTB is Alliances for solidarity, and there has never been a better time to point out how this vital battle for our communities can’t be won in isolation.

We must keep building bridges, while we fight against the human rights violations that we keep on facing every day and we speak up to change hearts and minds.

Lesbophobia. Homophobia. Biphobia. Transphobia. Interphobia.
Isn’t it time that we turn them off for good?

How do you turn lesbophobia, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and interphobia off? What do you think it could be done to reduce their level among the general public? How can people who are not part of the rainbow community actively contribute in turning them off? We want to hear from you!
Head to social media and share your story adding the hashtag #TurnItOff. Don't forget to tag @ilgaworld in your posts!