IDAHOBIT 2025 in Amsterdam: a celebration of solidarity

LGBT World Beside joins the celebration of IDAHOBIT on May 17, 2025

Photo credit: COA Nederland

On May 17, 2025, LGBT World Beside proudly participated in the celebration of IDAHOBIT — the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. We are thankful to COA (Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers), and personally to Barry Kossen-Merse (Programmabegeleider), Elke De Langhe (Medewerker Intensieve Begeleiding op Locatie), and Pauline Verhoeven (Contactpersoon LHBTI+) for inviting us to join the significant day.

In a time of growing uncertainty and global backlash against the rights of SOGI-minorities, this day serves as a powerful reminder of both the current challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ individuals worldwide and the tireless efforts of human rights organizations and activists in their struggle for equality and peace.

This year’s IDAHOBIT featured a vibrant program of educational, social, and cultural activities aimed at informing, connecting, and empowering the LGBTIQ+ community — with particular focus on asylum seekers and newcomers. The event included an information fair, lectures, panel discussions, performances, and a spectacular Lipsync Runway.  The event, initiated and organized by Barry Kossen-Merse, was fully sponsored by COA, and joined by GGD, Stichting Love Planet, COA Den Haag, SOA AIDS NL, De Zaanse Regenboog, TransAmsterdam, Veilige Haven Amsterdam, Choices Support Center, Roze in Blauw, COC Amsterdam, T-huis Amsterdam.

The team of LGBT World Beside contributed to different parts of the program during the day – and we are happy to share some details and reflections on the work we’ve done!

For the information market, our dedicated volunteers spent the whole day engaging with visitors, answering questions, and sharing information about our work.

During the public presentations, project leaders presented our mental health support project Psy4Queer, and two integrational initiatives – Spelletjesdag and Proud Integration.

In the community corner, our volunteers and COA representatives hosted several group discussions on critical issues faced by queer asylum seekers, including mental health challenges, safety within asylum camps, and the importance of building networks of solidarity in a new country.

And, of course, one of the day’s highlights was the Lipsync Battle, where our founder and director, Harlem van Hayzer, served as a member of the jury. Known for his sharp eye and fair judgment, Harlem brought both passion and humor to the role — and the audience responded with enthusiastic support, especially when he championed crowd favorites.

For our team, this event was not only a moment of celebration but also a day of meaningful engagement. We are now working on a more detailed report based on the conversations in the community corner.

Once again, we thank everyone who made this day possible! It is very inspiring to see different organizations and groups and so many people united on such memorable dates – it gives us strength and power to carry on with our work.