Council invites community to IDAHOBIT rainbow event

Council invites community to IDAHOBIT rainbow event

Published on 13 May 2021

Macedon Ranges Shire Council, in partnership with Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, will host a ceremony at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute at 12pm on Monday 17 May to acknowledge the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

The public is invited to join Councillors, Council staff, and Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health staff to show their solidarity and support for LGBTQIA+ communities as a part of a global action on the same day, to:

raise awareness of the discrimination LGBTQIA+ members of our community still face encourage all members of our community to challenge LGBTQIA+ discrimination celebrate LGBTQIA+ members of our community and let them know they are seen, supported and valued

Everyone is welcome to attend and show your support by wearing rainbow colours on the day.

Mayor Anderson said collaborating with Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health underpinned a key aspect of the day – that of coming together in solidarity to challenge violence and discrimination, and lift up and support LGBTQIA+ people.

“Studies continually show the negative impact that discrimination can have on someone’s mental and physical health. It’s up to all of us, as individuals and as organisations, to contribute to a change for the better.”

“Everyone, regardless of sex, gender, religious beliefs, skin colour or background has the right to be treated equally.”

If you can’t attend, there are many other ways to get involved and show your support:

Join in Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s ‘Show us your rainbow’ social media campaign by taking a picture of yourself adorned in rainbow colours and send it to [email protected] and they’ll post it online. Go rainbow and be visible—rally your workplace or school to stand out against discrimination by sharing messages of support. Download the IDAHOBIT Zoom backgrounds, certificates, posters and more. Listen, learn and ask: watch stories from Victorian families and find out how you can be an ally for your LGBTIQA+ family and friends. Join in the discussion and learn how to be an ally at an online IDAHOBIT Forum hosted by Goldfields Libraries on 17 May at 6pm. Join academics and activists for a lively online conversation about how to ally LGBTIQA+ youth. Find out more at Goldfield Libraries website.

Council would also like to highlight the range of LGBTQIA+ support services available:

Rainbow Door: free specialist advice to LGBTQIA+ people and their friends and families. Call 1800 729 367, SMS 0480 017 246, email [email protected] or visit their website. Queerspace: LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing support service run by Drummond Street Services. Call 03 9663 6733 or visit their website. QLife: Provides advice to LGBTIQ+ people from 3pm-12am everyday. Call 1800 184 527 or visit their website to chat online. Switchboard: a not-for-profit support service for LGBTIQA+ communities. Visit their website or call 9663 2474. 1800RESPECT: 24/7 phone or webchat counselling service to support people impacted by family violence, abuse or sexual assault. Call 1800 737 732 or visit their website to chat online. Thorne Harbour Health: Counselling and support services for LGBTIQ+ community members experiencing family violence. Call 1800 134 840 or visit their website. Zoe Belle Gender Collective: a trans and gender diverse led advocacy organisation. Call 0429 070 827 or visit their website.