International Day against Homophobia & Transphobia: Lesson Plan

Each  year,  the  world  celebrates  the  International  Day  Against  Homophobia  and  Transphobia (IDAHO) on May 17th. During  the  days  surrounding  IDAHO,  private  and  public  actors,  ranging  from  the  United  Nations  agencies,  to  city  councils,  police  stations,  human  rights  organiza-tions, individual citizens, schools and others, implement activities to mark the day. The  theme  of  this  year’s  IDAHO  is  “Fighting  homophobia  and  transphobia  IN  and  THROUGH  education”. This  theme  was  selected  in  response  to  a  growing  awareness that homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools which are manifestations of homophobia and transphobia, are serious issues that students and educational staff face every day across the world.

Over the years, teachers around the world have been developing activities in their classrooms, with the help of various organizations working on efforts to address and homophobia and transphobia in educational institutions. Building on the success of these experiences, UNESCO and the IDAHO Committee propose teachers take advantage of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia to conduct an ‘IDAHO Lesson’. The four activities proposed below are aimed at both primary and secondary level classes. A list of resources from other organizations for teachers, for all subjects and all grades is included below to enable greater choice of possible activities. By conducting an “IDAHO Lesson”, you can create safer learning environments, address discrimination and encourage respect and tolerance between and amongst learners.

(Title: International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia: Lesson Plan)