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Rainbow flags fly for diversity day

  • Published
    17 May 2017
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Screen grab of tweet by @canadadownunderImage source, Twitter/@canadadownunder
By Lamia Estatie
BBC News

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT) has been marked worldwide to celebrate sexual and gender diversity.

Tens of thousands of Twitter users celebrate on 17 May, using the hashtag #IDAHOT, to share messages of solidarity and support.

Since 2004, the IDAHOT has been commemorated, external to "draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally".

From Sydney, external across the globe to London, external and Paris, external, the rainbow flag was raised to honour the LGBTI community. Last month, people from around the world told the BBC what the rainbow flag means to them - including unity, safety and love.

Link to tweet by @SadiqKhanImage source, Twitter/@SaqidKhan
Screen grab of tweet by @Anne_HidalgoImage source, Twitter/@Anne_Hidalgo

Showing its solidarity, the European Commission tweeted, external an image of the EU flag with rainbow stars.

Screen grab of tweet by @EU_CommissionImage source, Twitter/@EU_Commission

The German football team Borussia Dortmund also shared, external a flag raised at its stadium, tweeting: "Borussia unites."

After the football team's bus was attacked April, fans of a rival team in Monaco opened up their homes to Dortmund fans.

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Screen grab of tweet by @BVBImage source, Twitter/@BVB

And a French association for the fight against HIV/AIDS shared, external an image of a pedestrian crossing in south west France that was given a rainbow treatment.

The UK's Royal Mail also tweeted, external a Rainbow Postbox.

Screen grab of tweet by @assoAIDESImage source, Twitter/@assoAIDES
Screen grab of tweet by @royalmailnewsImage source, Twitter/@royalmailnews

While police in Victoria, Australia tweeted, external an image of an officer whose "Police" vest logo - traditionally white - was in rainbow colours instead.

Screen grab of tweet by @VictoriaPoliceImage source, Twitter/@VictoriaPolice

By the UGC and Social News team

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