International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) celebrates LGBTQIA+ people globally, and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination.
It marks May 17, 1990 – the day the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.
Each year, we host a community celebration focusing on tackling LGBTIQA+ discrimination in South Australia.
2022 – Our bodies, our lives, our rights
To mark IDAHOBIT 2022 we launched our short film Rainbow Realities: LGBTIQA+ Experiences of Discrimination in South Australia, a discussion on our lived experiences of discrimination and support conversations about how we can take action against it.
We launched the film at Diverse-City with a conversation with incoming Minister for Human Services Nat Cook MP and a Q&A panel of LGBTIQA+ community members.
Watch the conversation and community panel here and check out the photos from our film launch below.
2021 – Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing!
In 2021, SARAA was joined by members and allies of our LGBTIQA+ communities to recognise IDAHOBIT’s theme ‘Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing!’.
Held at Uniting Communities, the event was opened by The Hon. Michelle Lensink, Minister for Human Services.
We heard a powerful and stirring speech from Dominic Guerrera, a Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna and Italian person who’s primary work has been as an Aboriginal Health Worker and Educator for 17 years, with a focus on sexual health.
Dominic spoke about the need for the LGBTIAQ+ community to tackle its own prejudices and blind spots by committing to decolonisation and greater inclusion of First Nations peoples, and others who can be marginalised as a result of ableism and fatphobia.
Heartwarming performances were also held by Phi Theodoros, AKA. Ukelele Dream Girl, and Nancy Bates, a Song Woman originating from Far Western NSW.
This event was made possible by generous funding from the Department of Human Services, SA Government.
2020 – Breaking the Silence
To recognise IDAHOBIT in 2020 the South Australian Rainbow Advocacy Alliance hosted an online community webinar focused on IDAHOBIT’s theme: “Breaking the Silence”.
The session featured 3 South Australian LGBTIQA+ panellists discussing what “Breaking the Silence” means for our rainbow communities:
- Zac Cannell, TransMasc SA & transgender community leader
- Sarah K Reece, LGBTIQA+ disability advocate
- Neha Madhok, Democracy in Colour
We were also delighted to welcome Michelle Lensink MLC, Minister for Human Services, to speak with us at the event, as well as Jason Tuazon-McCheyne (founder of The Equality Project) to tell us about the Better Together LGBTIQA+ conference that is coming to Adelaide in 2021.
You can watch the webinar below.
Kaurna Welcome to Country provided by Jack Buckskin. AUSLAN interpreting by Deaf Can:Do. Event hosted by SARAA’s chair, Matthew Morris.
This work was made possible by the Department of Human Services, Government of South Australian.
