International Day Against LGBTIQA+ Discrimination

Tuesday 17 May is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia, also known as the International Day Against LGBTIQA+ Discrimination, or IDAHOBIT.

LGBTIQA+ discrimination is still distressingly common in Australia, with recent research showing that 75 per cent of LGBTIQA+ youth experience some form of discrimination, 77 per cent of Trans and Gender diverse people reported being discriminated against in the past 12 months and 35 per cent of LGBTIQA+ Australians have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months.

Relationships Australia Victoria stands against discrimination of any kind and we support and celebrate LGBTIQA+ people and your right to safety. Guided by our Rainbow Working Group, we are committed to providing services and workplaces which are safe and welcoming of everyone.

This IDAHOBIT, we encourage Australians to show your support for LGBTIQA+ people and to consider the ways in which you can learn and create safe spaces in your communities and workplaces throughout the year. The following ideas may help you to get started.

• Listen to LGBTIQA+ people and prioritise and elevate their voices. For example, if someone asks you about LGBTIQA+ experiences, direct them first to resources developed by members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
  
  
• Learn about the challenges faced by LGBTIQA+ people and ways that you can be a good ally. We’ve compiled some links to help you get started.

• Your guide to words and definitions in the LGBTIQA+ community – Minus 18
• Information on pronouns – Pronouns Day
• Misgendering + Pronouns: A guide to using inclusive language when speaking languages other than English – Wear it Purple Day
• LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Language Guide – Minus 18
  
  

• Be visible and vocal in your support. This can include:
  • speaking up when someone says something discriminatory
  • wearing something rainbow
  • including your pronouns in your email signature
  • sharing resources and messages of solidarity with your networks.
    
    
• Attend training delivered by LGBTIQA+ organisations such as Rainbow Health Australia and/or request for it to be provided at your organisation. All our staff complete compulsory Core Inclusion Training including an LGBTIQA+ course.

We welcome suggestions from our clients, community members and stakeholders about how we can continue to make our organisation more LGBTIQA+ inclusive and invite you to send us your feedback via our online form.