This is our Fight Song: UN’s inspiring new video to mark IDAHOT 2016

The United Nations’ Free & Equal campaign has honoured LGBT activists around the world in a moving new video.

To celebrate the International Day against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHOT) on 17 May, the campaign asked LGBT activists and their allies to help create a video that captures some of the strength and spirit they bring to their work.

Hundreds submitted videos in which they and their colleagues held up signs highlighting their diverse causes in over 20 countries.

These were edited together to create the Why We Fight video. It concludes with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon signing and holding up a sign in his New York office that reads: “End Violence and Discrimination Against LGBT People”.

“The result is a celebration of activism – and a reminder of why we fight,” said Free & Equal.

The video features singer-songwriter Rachel Platten’s powerful Fight Song as its soundtrack.

Launched in Cape Town in 2013, the Free & Equal campaign raises awareness of homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination, and promotes respect for the rights of LGBT people.

IDAHOT has been commemorated every year on May 17 since 2005 to honour the day that homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1990.

Watch the UN Free & Equal’s Why We Fight video below.