The City of Ballarat will join with the community to stand against LGBTIQ discrimination with the raising of the Rainbow Flag in the centre of the CBD, to mark International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
Statistics show 75 per cent of Australian LGBTIQ youth experience some form of discrimination, 61 per cent experience verbal abuse and 19 per cent experience physical bullying.*
The annual day calls on the community to challenge homophobic, biphobic, intersexist and transphobic language and behaviour when it’s safe to do so, and to celebrate LGBTIQ diversity.
Tomorrow, 17 May, was chosen for IDAHOBIT to commemorate the World Health Organization’s 1990 decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. IDAHOBIT was first celebrated in 2004.
The flag raising will be followed by a community morning tea at Ballarat Library, 178 Doveton Street North at 10.30am, including a short address by Kirsten Holden.
The City of Ballarat has a zero tolerance approach to violence and harassment towards the LGBTIQ community and the community as a whole.
Ballarat Libraries has worked with Ballarat Pride Hub and Ballarat Wrainbow Writers to produce this event.
The City of Ballarat’s Youth Development team, BYou, is also proud to be working with the Ballarat Libraries, friends at Zaque Headspace and the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to present All of the Things tomorrow, from 4-7pm, as part of IDAHOBIT festivities.
Come and hear from guest speakers, enjoy afternoon tea, good company and a range of craft activities along with the unique opportunity to be part of a community conversation podcast.
