Celebrate diversity in our community for IDAHOBIT on May 17

Council will be flying the rainbow flag in proud support of its LGBTIQA+ community as part of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on Sunday 17 May 2020.

IDAHOBIT is observed on 17 May, the anniversary of the date in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.

To mark the 30-year milestone, Council will fly the rainbow flag for one week at its Council offices in Braeside Avenue, Ringwood, in support for and commitment to reducing the barriers faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTIQA+) community, both locally and across the globe.

It is estimated that approximately 10-12 per cent of Maroondah’s population identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or asexual. Unfortunately experiences of discrimination, bullying, homophobia and transphobia can have significant negative impacts on mental health. Recent statistics released by Beyond Blue show LGBTIQA+ people have the highest rates of suicidality of any population in Australia.

Deputy Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Marijke Graham, said the day was also about celebrating the diversity of Maroondah’s community and making sure the LGBTIQA+ community know they are supported.

“By taking a public stand in support of Maroondah’s LGBTIQA+ community members, Council continues to challenge homophobia and transphobia and strives to build an inclusive, prejudice-free society, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation,” Cr Graham said.

“I encourage the community to share photos and comments on social media using the hashtag #IDAHOBIT and show why supporting LGBTIQA+ members of our community is so important,” she said.

As a young person who identifies within the LGBTIQA+ community, former Maroondah Young Citizen of the Year Phoebe Roach sees IDAHOBIT as an opportunity to shine a light on the experiences of young LGBTIQA+ people.

“IDAHOBIT to me means that I and everyone else within my community can feel recognised, acknowledged, and respected,” says Phoebe, who is an active member of Council’s Youth Services programs and the wider community and is passionate about issues related to young people.

“It is an important day of recognition so that people who fall within these categories can understand they have a right to be proud of who they are, and that they are respected by the wider community. The different activities and events that generally take place on IDAHOBIT day are an important way of bringing people from many different walks of life together into celebrating our community,” adds Phoebe.

Others like 85-year-old Ada Brew, who attends Kerrabee’s social support group program, are strong advocates for the LGBTIQA+ community, believing everyone should be treated and valued equally.

“Everybody on this earth was born the same way and we should all have the same rights as everyone…we’re all equal,” she says.

Ada says that as someone with several family members who identify within the LGBTIQA+ community, she has found society to be more accepting of individual differences

“I have found that in the past 50-60 years of being acquainted with this (LGBTIQA+), the public are kinder, more understanding and better educated,” she said.

To celebrate IDAHOBIT, Maroondah’s Youth Services team will be launching ‘Queer Conversations’, a series of digital conversations with young people who identify as LGBTIQA+, which will be shared across its social media platforms.

In addition, Council’s Aged and Disability team will be delivering rainbow-decorated biscuits and a rainbow bookmark to all 96 Kerrabee social inclusion and wellbeing program clients, with staff wearing a splash of rainbow colour to acknowledge the day.

Our commitment to LGBTIQA+ community

Council has done much work over the years to increase the inclusivity of all Council services to LGBTIQA+ community members. This includes: 

The delivery of LGBTIQA+-inclusive customer service training to frontline Council staff. The development of a Statement of Support for the LGBTIQA+ community. The installation of rainbow stickers on the entrance to all Council staffed facilities. Working on LGBTIQA+-inclusive services for older members of the community through the Home and Community Care Diversity Plan.

Four years ago, Council launched its Equal Sports project, which resulted in various local clubs in Maroondah undertaking LGBTIQA+ inclusive training within their sport.

Council’s facilities and service centres also display rainbow stickers to show our commitment to providing inclusive services to our City’s LGBTIQ community.

“Diversity in sexuality, gender identity and sex identity is something that should be acknowledged and embraced, but unfortunately those identifying as LGBTIQA+ too often experience discrimination and exclusion,” Cr Graham said.

“Each of these actions show an acknowledgement from Council of the challenges that can be faced by those who identify as LGBTIQA+, and a commitment to providing excellent services to people of all sexualities, sex and gender identities,” she said.

On 16 February 2015, Council signed the ‘No to Homophobia’ campaign, a statewide online campaign that sends the message to all Australians that homophobic, transphobic and biphobic harassment is never acceptable.

By signing the campaign, Council as an organisation has taken the pledge to “Stand up against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. Always”.

Further information

For more information on Council’s commitment to supporting the LGBTIQA+ community, visit our 

To provide suggestions on how we can further improve the LGBTIQ-inclusivity of our services, please contact us on 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598.

Stay connected

Minus18, Australia’s youth-driven network for LGBTIQA+ youth, is this year providing online social events and resources for LGBTIQA+ youth all over Australia. For more information, visit the

Stay updated via Maroondah City Council Youth Services website which provides programs, support and information for young people.

Need support?

For anyone requiring immediate support, or would like to speak to someone confidentially, please contact the following organisations: 

Online and telephone counselling for LGBTIQA+ people (1800 184 527) Crisis and Suicide Support Line (13 11 14) Telephone Counselling for anyone aged 5 to 25 years (1800 55 1800)