Arqus Celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

On 17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is celebrated. Arqus European University Alliance marks this day to express support and encourage the diversity in a versatile, multicultural community of Arqus and the whole world.

This specific date was chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1990. The concept of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was conceived in 2004 and since then, people all over the world celebrate sexual and gender diversity and campaign against the violence and repression experienced by LGBTIQ+ people internationally.

As a multicultural and multilingual community, Arqus Alliance believes in the strength of united and educated society, which can raise awareness of discrimination of LGBTIQ+ and engage in dialogue to solve the problems that may arise.

"With a broad inclusive perspective, Arqus and the dedicated Action Line 2, “Widening access, diversity and inclusion” aims to develop shared policies, guidelines and a transversal, research-based, cross-sectoral strategy for inclusion and diversity for all members of the university community, at all levels, facilitating inclusive admission and recruitment policies. Three Common Charters for Sustainability, Inclusion and Gender Equality will set the foundations for future actions within the Alliance and raise awareness, reaching out to citizens and engaging decision-makers. We are paving the floor to attract talent from less represented groups, leaving no one behind", says Benedetta Zatti, Chair of Action Line 2, from the University of Padua.

The Alliance that brings together seven progressive universities of Bergen, Granada, Graz, Leipzig, Lyon, Padova and Vilnius, aims to increase inclusion (widening access and diversity) within universities, to increase the awareness of the local and regional environment about different forms of disparity, under-represented groups, diversity and inclusion and seeks inclusive policies on a regional and national level.