Since 2016, the World Bank has annually commemorated IDAHOTB with events in Headquarters and some Country Offices. This year’s theme for IDAHOTB, which falls on May 17, is “Together always: united in diversity”.
Commemorating International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB)
Watch the World Bank Live video recording of the IDAHOTB flagship panel discussion on Gender Equality and LGBTI+ inclusion hosted on May 15th, 2023. The event welcomed panelists from the bank, and civil society organizations working to mitigate the effects of discrimination based on SOGI. US Executive Director at the World Bank, Adriana Kugler, opened the event with compelling remarks on the importance of inclusive development that reflects the needs of LBGTI+ persons. As many joined to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), the event raised awareness of the discrimination that LGBTI+ people face and how its negative impacts on development outcomes fuel the exclusion of sexual and gender minorities, creating barriers to accessing markets, services, and spaces. The panel discussion hosted by Hana Brixi, Global Director, Gender at the World Bank, featured SOGI Global Advisor at the Bank, Clifton Cortez, as well as Maria Sjödin Executive Director, OutRight International, and Huy The Luong, Director of the Institute for Social, Economic and Environmental Research, (iSEE) Vietnam. The event was an opportunity to learn about the links between gender equality and the inclusion of sexual and gender minorities in World Bank projects and analytics. Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services, Ed Mountfield, concluded the event with closing remarks on the importance of addressing the root causes of inequalities as well as their consequences, and reiterated the urgency of SOGI inclusion in meeting the goal of a more economically sustainable future.
Join the conversation: #TogetherWeAreIDAHOTB