LOCAL councils will help spread awareness about discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community today (May 17), marking 18 years since the first International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) was held.
Three municipalities – Surf Coast Council, the Borough of Queenscliff, and City of Greater Geelong – will conduct flag raisings to acknowledge IDAHOBIT in their respective areas.
The Surf Coast Shire has invited community members to attend a raising of the rainbow flag in Torquay, outside the civic building on the Surf Coast Highway at 10am.
Shire mayor Liz Pattison will lead proceedings and personally raise the flag, where it will fly outside the council offices for the entire month of May.
“We gather to celebrate diversity and raise the flag to demonstrate that today and every day we stand together with our LGBTQIA+ friends,” Cr Pattison said.
“Today and every day we pledge to never stay silent about LGBTQIA+ discrimination.”
The ceremony will also be a world-first, with Victoria to become the first jurisdiction in the world to have every local government flying the rainbow flag for IDAHOBIT.
The City of Greater Geelong has confirmed it will fly the transgender flag above City Hall for IDAHOBIT Day.
Former AFL footballer and coach Danielle Laidley will also be the keynote speaker as part of the city’s IDAHOBIT event in partnership with local organisations including Geelong Football Club, Victoria Police, TAC, WorkSafe and Geelong Rainbow Inc.
“There is no place in our community for any form of discrimination and that includes discrimination based on gender or sexuality,” Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said.
“It’s vital that everyone feels they have a voice and are free to express themselves as valued members of our community.
“I have no doubt hearing Dani Laidley’s story will open people’s eyes to the challenges that members of the LGBTIQA+ community face, while also providing a source of inspiration.”
The Borough of Queenscliffe will hold its own flag raising at its Council offices at 10.30am with councillors and local dignitaries in attendance – similar to last year.
For more on IDAHOBIT, head to idahobit.org.au