The Power of Communities: United for Diversity, Equality & Inclusivity on IDAHOBIT 2025
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) is a day that honours resilience, recognises progress, and demands protections and justice for LGBTQI+ people globally. The 2025 theme, “The Power of Communities,” is an important and powerful reminder that we are strongest when we act together, support one another, and uplift the most vulnerable among us.
Why IDAHOBIT Matters
IDAHOBIT was first marked in 2005, chosen to commemorate the 1990 decision by the World Health Organization (WHO) to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. Today, it stands as a global call to action – a shared moment for communities and allies around the world to take action in ways that resonate with their specific contexts, reflecting their unique realities and priorities. Whether it’s through public awareness campaigns, education efforts, or community healing, every initiative, big or small, matters. Each one adds momentum to a global movement working toward a world free from violence, discrimination, and exclusion.
The Local Landscape: Trinidad & Tobago’s Journey In the Fight for Equality
In Trinidad & Tobago, the call for justice resonates deeply. In 2018, the landmark Jones v Attorney General ruling by High Court judge Devindra Rampersad declared parts of the Sexual Offences Act that criminalised consensual same-sex intimacy unconstitutional – a monumental moment for LGBTQI+ rights and a sign of legal progress toward equality. That ruling represented a step forward for equality, sending a message that LGBTQI+ people deserve to live free from fear and criminalisation.
But in March 2025, the Court of Appeal reversed that ruling, reinstating laws that had once been relegated to our colonial past. Broad, archaic provisions that target same-sex intimacy were re-enacted with a reduced penalty of five years’ imprisonment. This ruling has dealt a heavy blow to the LGBTQIA+ community. Beyond the legal ramifications, it reinforces harmful stereotypes and emboldens social discrimination, pushing LGBTQIA+ people further into the margins. It also reintroduces a climate of fear and criminalisation, denying people the basic right to love, express, and exist authentically.
But even in this moment of profound disappointment, we are more determined than ever. The power of communities is our greatest tool against injustice. It is a reminder that while significant victories have been achieved, the fight for inclusion, protection, and dignity continues. And it is through the power of communities speaking up, showing up, and standing together, that this progress can be protected and expanded.
Communities as Agents of Change
This theme “Power of Communities” reminds us that change is most powerful when it comes from within our own communities. In Trinidad & Tobago, many organisations, groups and individual advocates are working to shape a more inclusive society, one conversation, workshop, or act of support at a time.
At SLF, we understand the value of community. We see the impact of community in people who speak out against bullying, in teachers who create safe learning environments, in parents who affirm their children’s identities, and in peers who offer unconditional support.
It is through shared strength, collaboration, and solidarity that meaningful change takes root. The power of community lies not just in its ability to respond to harm but in its ability to prevent it.
The Role of Allies and Advocates
Allies are the backbone of inclusive communities. Being an ally means more than expressing acceptance; it means taking action, challenging prejudice when we see it, amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices, and creating environments where everyone is safe, seen, and valued.
It does not matter who you are, whether you’re a parent, a teacher, a policymaker, or a friend. Your support matters. You don’t need to lead a movement to make an impact; sometimes, the most powerful actions happen in everyday moments: listening, showing compassion, and standing up against hate.
Allyship is transformative. Together, we can dismantle the systems and attitudes that marginalise and instead build cultures of care and inclusivity. Your voice is needed. Your presence makes a difference.
A Call to Action
Visibility isn’t enough and silence is complicity. On this IDAHOBIT, we call on policymakers and changemakers to acknowledge the power of diversity and stand with us in the pursuit of equality. Reaffirm your dedication to equality, dignity, and safety for all, irrespective of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We must never underestimate the collective impact we can have when we unite to fight violence and discrimination, ensuring that no one is left behind. Let us work together to create a future of belonging for everyone.
