Jessica Micallef
Cobaw Community Health will show it’s colours and support for the LGBTIQA+ community.
To celebrate International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHBOIT), the health service will host a virtual raising of the rainbow flag on Sunday.
Cobaw Community Health chief executive Margaret McDonald said the COVID-19 restrictions would not dampen the health service’s plans to commemorate the annual day.
“We fly the rainbow flag each year on May 17 to raise awareness of the discrimination LGBTIQA+ members of our community still face,” she said.
“For the past four years, we’ve had a public raising event. But this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are making sure that we’re being very creative in the online space.”
While there are plans to raise rainbow flags at sites across the Macedon Ranges, including council offices, Cobaw Community Health is encouraging locals to gather online on the day to watch the virtual flag-raising on social media.
“Raising the flag lets the LGBTIQA+ members of our community know they are seen, supported and valued,” Ms McDonald said.
“In this period of increased social isolation, actions like this are not only matters of pride, but matters of necessity.”
In the lead up to the day, Cobaw Community Health is asking residents to email a photo of themselves displaying the rainbow colours in the form of a flag, badge, scarf, beanie, socks or nail polish.
Photos will be shared in the week leading up IDAHOBIT across Cobaw’s social media pages.
The online flag raise will take place on Sunday, May 17 at 11am. To email photos, contact cchshealthpromotion@cobaw.org.au.
For more information: 5421 1666.
