International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination

On 17 May we acknowledge IDAHOBIT as a day for communities to go rainbow, and stand up against discrimination.

Whether you’re part of the LGTBQIA+ community or you’re an ally – we stand together.

Why 17 May? This date commemorates the anniversary the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases in 1990. Prior to this, homosexuality was classified globally as a mental illness.  

About IDAHOBIT

IDAHOBIT has two main purposes:

  1. An opportunity to celebrate the pride and allyship of the people who have worked to build equality around the world.
  2. To raise awareness of the discrimination LGBTQIA+ people still face today

Australia-wide research conducted by La Trobe University highlights the prevalence of discrimination still occurring around our country:

  • 2 in 3 LGBTQIA+ youth experience harassment or abuse due to their identity. That’s 66% of our young people.
  • A study of almost 7,000 LGBTQIA+ people of all ages in Australia found that 1 in 3 people have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months because of their identity. This includes insults, humiliation and threats, just for being who they are. 

Rainbow Windows Competition

Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (SCCH) has again partnered with Council to encourage business and community to dress up their business, shopfront, home window, or foyer in rainbows in recognition of IDAHOBIT.

The IDAHOBIT Rainbow Windows Competition helps to raise awareness about how we can come together as a community to address discrimination and rights violations still experienced by LGBTIQA+ people on a day-to-day basis. This year's IDAHOBIT theme is "The Power of Communities", and we invite businesses, community groups and community members to participate in our Rainbow Windows Competition, with the chance to win great prizes for your creativity.

How to enter

  1. Register to participate in the competition by Thursday 1 May.
  2. Decorate your window or nominated area with pride colours, posters, symbols and words of affirmation and inclusion by Monday 12 May 2025.
  3. Take a photo of your display and send it to healthpromotion@scchc.org.au by 12pm Wednesday 14 May.
  4. Keep you display for the week of Monday 12 May to Sunday 19 May 2025
  5. Winners will be announced at the IDAHOBIT flag raising events in Sunbury on Thursday 15 May and Kyneton on Friday 16 May.

If you would like further information, call the SCCH LGBTIQA+ program staff on (03) 5421 1666 or email healthpromotion@scchc.org.au

What's on

There are a range of events planned during May each year. Details will be published below as information becomes available.

 

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