International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on May 17
The Town of Sutton is once again marking the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia by hoisting the inclusive LGBTQ2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Two-Spirited) flag at the top of its flagpole.
The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is a key moment for raising public awareness of the issues surrounding sexual and gender diversity. It underscores the importance of concrete action to build a more inclusive society that respects all identities.
The celebration of this day originated in Quebec: in 2003,Fondation Émergence created the first National Day Against Homophobia. Since then, it has organized an annual awareness-raising campaign, and other organizations have adopted the day, which is now celebrated in many countries. May 17 is a symbolic date for homosexuals, as it was on May 17, 1990 that homosexuality was removed from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) list of mental illnesses.
Meaning of the colors of the LGBTQ2S+ flag
The six rainbow stripes symbolize life in red, comfort in orange, sunshine in yellow, nature in green, art in blue and spirituality in violet. The triangle, added in 2018 in response to changes in the LGBTQ community, features the pastels of the transgender flag and brown and black, the symbol of visible minorities.
For more information, visit the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia website,