Elsie Lange
The International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) was celebrated across Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges on Tuesday, May 17, full of colour, pride, love and welcoming.
All over the region, residents, local and state government representatives and community groups attended events put on by a range of local organisations, including Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (SCCH) and councils.
At Sunbury’s Village Green, the rainbow flag was raised for the first time, flying above the town signifying solidarity, strength and allyship for all to see.
Sunbury MP Josh Bull attended and said the state government stood with LGBTIQA+ communities every day.
“Because in Victoria, equality is not negotiable,” Mr Bull said.
Kyneton Community House co-ordinator Kat Mansbridge was part of a special IDAHOBIT themed lunch in the town, and said the day was a chance to understand, celebrate and cherish LGBTIQA+ communities.
“I don’t remember a time I wasn’t disabled. I don’t remember a time I wasn’t queer, although early on I didn’t have the language to acknowledge [it] either,” Ms Mansbridge said.
“The celebration of IDAHOBIT is an opportunity for all of us to learn new language and how we can use it to end discrimination, ignorance and shaming of our beautifully diverse LGBTIQ+ community who so often are left marginalised through deliberate and accidental misuse of language.”
SCCH general manager Michelle Pasic said the day was about visibility, affirmation and celebration.
“A day for really raising awareness of the discrimination that the LGBTQIA+ community still face and the direct impact of this experience of discrimination has on the poorer health outcomes for LGBTIQA+ people,” she said.
