SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 17, 2021) – The Sacramento LGBT Community Center is observing the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia by highlighting the programs and services the organization provides to combat stigma and protect LGBTQ+ community members.  

 The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. 

In the Sacramento region, violence and discrimination is still present with 21 bias related incidents thus far in 2021 in the City of Sacramento[1] alone. The Sacramento LGBT Community Center provides Victim Services for people who have been the victims of or witnesses of hate and bias incidents. The services include: 

• Reporting Assistance,
• Legal Aid,
• Mental Health Support,
• Emergency Shelter,
• Q-Spot Youth Center,
• and Youth Transitional Housing

The Sacramento LGBT Community Center also provides programming to combat stigma and bias in the community such as the Queer Voices program, Latinas Sin Fronteras/Bilingual Outreach Services, and Outreach and Training Institute.  

“The Sacramento LGBT Community Center works to create a region where LGBTQ+ people thrive. We support the health and wellness of the most marginalized, advocate for equality and justice, and work to build a culturally rich LGBTQ+ community.” said David Heitstuman, CEO of the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. “Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is still a problem locally as well as globally. Organizations such as ours work tirelessly to help support those who experience stigma, as well as working to stamp out stigma in the region through training and programming.”  

The date of May 17 was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. 

The U.S State Department issued a statement saying: 

“The message of ‘Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing!’ is especially poignant as this year’s IDAHOTB theme. Ending hatred and violence against LGBTQI+ persons requires collaborative action from us all. The United States is doing its part. Within the first weeks of his administration, President Biden issued a Memorandum instructing all U.S. federal agencies working abroad to “ensure that U.S. diplomatic efforts and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons.” And that important work is well underway. 

This day represents a major global annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, corporations, opinion leaders, local authorities, etc. to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. 

If you are a victim or witness of a hate or bias incident you can reach out to the Sacramento LGBT Community Center for victim services via their website at www.saccenter.org or (916) 442-0185.