#IDAHOT2021: A Musical Celebration
This week, people all around the world celebrated the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). In Europe, this happily coincides with the Eurovision Song Contest - the early adopter of all things queer that somehow transcends borders across the continent (and, inexplicably, Australia). This year's host, Nikkie de Jager, is a transgender woman. There will be rainbow flags aplenty, even if most of us are still 'celebrating' in our own homes. And, seen through the rose-tinted lens of Eurovision, there are indeed things worth celebrating.
Visibility
Let's start with visibility.
The sheer number of events, statements and public acknowledgements of the LGBTI community shows that more and more people are open about their sexual orientation and identity, and - just as importantly - that an increasing number of others stand with them.
Only a few years ago, these messages were driven mainly by activists and allies. Today, they also come from politicians, business leaders and educators.
Words and actions
Not all that glitters is gold, of course.
Words are wonderful, but only if action is not far behind.
Research by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency and ILGA-Europe confirms that promoting and protecting the rights of the LGBTI community is becoming more difficult in a growing number of countries, and that LGBTI youth still face significant challenges in schools.
Flanders illustrates this common contradiction quite well: while news reports of a homophobic attack that resulted in the death of a young man filled screens in March, IDAHOT Day marked the launch of the first LGBTQIA+ student association in Leuven.
Despair and hope are never far apart.
A long road, but not a lonely one
There is still a long road ahead, that much is clear.
But that road is lined with a growing number of people who stand up for the LGBTI community, who stand with them, or - just as encouraging - who barely notice that they are, supposedly, 'different'.
Discrimination, violence and bullying persist, but the more we learn, the better equipped we are to confront and ultimately prevent these injustices.
And in the meantime, to keep a smile on our faces as we carry on - there's always Eurovision.
