International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia
Today is May 17th, which means that it is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. If you’re wondering why May 17th was chosen, it’s to commemorate May 17th 1990, which is when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of “mental illnesses”.
Please remember at although attitudes in the UK are much more enlightened than they were only a few years ago, homophobic violence still happens with distressing frequency and in over 70 countries around the world being gay is still a criminal offence.
Even if you don’t identify yourself as LGBT+ then this should still be an important day for you. Here, for example, is a handy guide produced by Pride in STEM on how to be an ally:
In the Dark 
May 18, 2017 at 1:24 pm
I don’t know, but might be the reason why Chelsea Manning was released on that day…
May 18, 2017 at 1:26 pm
I don’t know, but I’m guessing that not being beaten up would help…
May 18, 2017 at 2:24 pm
I don’t think it’s as simple as that. People get beaten up because of their race, but the solution to that is not to beat everyone up regardless of the colour of the skin.
May 18, 2017 at 2:27 pm
It has always intrigued me why some folk are so scared of transgender or gender-fluid people….especially in the USA where the introduction of gender-neutral bathrooms seems to have caused a national panic. Many European countries have had them for years.
May 18, 2017 at 2:59 pm
After widespread discussions with staff and students, the University of Sussex agreed to convert to gender-neutral bathrooms. I think MPS was one of the first Schools to have them.
May 18, 2017 at 10:23 pm
Call them what they are, Peter: toilets! I have a bath in a bathroom. At least nobody here has called it the rest room. In the admin block that is somebody’s office…
May 18, 2017 at 10:25 pm
Indeed, but bathroom is what the Americans call them and they’re the ones who make a fuss.
I prefer lavatory to be honest.
May 19, 2017 at 9:52 pm
Do tell us for what, Phillip!
May 19, 2017 at 10:11 pm
Don’t take the piss…