Proud to support
IdahoBiT Day
in
Nottinghamshire
17
May
What is IDAHOBIT Day? (Formerly IDAHO)
17thMay is an important date for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Communities, here in
Nottinghamshire, Britain and across the World. The date commemorates the day in 1990 when the World
Health organisation declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. It is now celebrated in more than 130
Countries worldwide.
It was originally called Idaho Day, International Day Against Homophobia, when it was established in 2004. In
2009, Transphobia was added to the title, in recognition of the very different issues faced by Trans people.
More recently Biphobia was added to acknowledge specific issues faced by bisexual people. Locally we have
chosen to call the Day IdahoBiT.
The day represents an annual landmark for everyone who opposes prejudice and discrimination. The
International Day has now received official recognition from several states, and International organisations like
the European Parliament, and by countless local authorities. In 2014 there were 1600 events reported from
1280 organisations. These events unite millions of people who wish to promote equality and diversity and
oppose prejudice and discrimination.
What is the rainbow flag?
The first rainbow flag was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker, a San Francisco artist, in response to calls by
activists for a symbol for the community. Baker designed a flag with eight stripes: pink, red, orange, yellow,
green, blue, indigo, and violet.
Baker found out that pink was not commercially available. The flag was then reduced to seven stripes. In
November 1978, San Francisco’s LGBT community was stunned when, Harvey Milk, was assassinated.
Wanting to demonstrate the gay community’s strength and solidarity in the aftermath of the tragedy, the Pride
Committee decided to use Baker’s flag.
The indigo stripe was eliminated so that the colours could be divided evenly along the parade route - three
colours on one side and three on the other. Soon the six colours were incorporated into a six-striped version
that became popularised and that, today is recognised by the International Congress of Flag Makers.
The flag has become an international symbol of pride and the diversity our communities.
What is the Nottinghamshire IDAHO Group?
Supported by Nottinghamshire Police, the Notts IdahoBiT Group helps to organise and run events and
activities, including the flying of our Rainbow flag to support equality and diversity and oppose prejudice and
discrimination, here and across the world. Rainbow flags will be flying with Pride from Police Stations, Fire
Stations, Ambulance Stations, Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Union Offices, Shops, Businesses, Council Offices
and Town Halls all across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Notts IdahoBiT Group is made up of volunteers from across our LGBT community and local organisations and
bodies.
Contact Notts IdahoBiT Group on email nottsidahobitgroup@gmail.com or look for us on Facebook Notts
IdahoBiT Group or website Notts IdahoBiT.