Stand Together: How to Support the LGBTQ+ Community This IDAHOBIT
Filed Under: LGBTQ+, Multicultural
Angela Roberts
Vice President, Administration & Project Support
May 17th marks an important day for the LGBTQ+ community. In 1952, homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder in the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and this classification remained until it was declassified as a mental disorder in 1973. Seventeen years later, on May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) followed suit and delisted homosexuality from being classified as a “disease and related health problem.” To commemorate this action being taken by WHO, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) is celebrated on May 17th of each year and has been since 2005. Though originally more popularly celebrated in Europe and Latin America, in 2021, the U.S. government formally recognized IDAHOBIT in its efforts to end conversion therapy practices, which are known to be physically and mentally harmful.
C+R Research and its multicultural division, CultureBeat, believe that in order for brands to “get it right,” they need to hear the voices of all of their consumers, and that includes LGBTQ+ consumers. We feel it’s our professional and social responsibility to amplify the voices of diverse consumers. As a research partner, our hope in doing so is that we enable brands to be more in touch with what’s important to their consumers and to better understand who their consumers truly are. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of authentic connections and representation in brands’ communications with their consumers.
With PRIDE approaching in June and plans to celebrate likely already scheduled, we want to make sure that brands are mindful of additional times during the year where diverse groups can be celebrated. Gallup reported that 7.1% of the U.S. population identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community, with one in five Gen Z adults identifying with this community. This community is growing, estimated to be 10% of the population in the near future, and they love to be celebrated.
The theme for IDAHOBIT 2024 is “No One Left Behind: Equality, Freedom, and Justice for All.” Here are a few ways that you can celebrate:
- Wear a Rainbow to show your support of the LGBTQ+ community
- Decorate Your Space
- Attend or Host an Event
- Support a Fundraiser that supports the LGBTQ+ community
C+R Research is a proud supporter of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), an American LGBTQ+ advocacy group.
HAPPY IDAHOBIT DAY!
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