Did you know that 75% of LGBTQI+ youth experience some form of discrimination? (1)
The 17th of May is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia – IDAHOBIT. A day to celebrate LGBTQI+ people and raise awareness for the work that still needs to be done to combat discrimination.
Acknowledged worldwide since 2004, this day of global awareness takes place each year on 17th May, a significant date in the ongoing fight for equality: On this day in 1990, the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.
The Allambi Sexuality and Gender Inclusivity and Diversity (SGID) Committee strives to support our LGBTQI+ young people, and encourages Allambi staff to do the same on IDAHOBIT by:
- Wearing rainbow colours
- Posting a rainbow or related backdrop on their socials, with #IDAHOBIT
- Using a rainbow TEAMS backdrop for meetings (https://www.idahobit.org.au/images/zoom/IDAHOBIT_2021_Zoom.jpg)
- Keeping up to date and visiting LGBTQI+ media, including ACON www.acon.org.au; Minus18 www.minus18.org.au; and IDAHOBIT https://www.idahobit.org.au/
- Visiting the SGID Committee page on the Allambi Intranet and checking out the resources available.
(1) Writing Themselves in 3: The third national study on the sexual health and wellbeing of same sex attracted and gender questioning young people.
Celebrating Mardi Gras 2022
Many of you may have watched the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras recently. This is an annual event and one of Australia’s most famous. Allambi’s Sexuality and Gender Inclusivity and Diversity Committee recognise this event as an important symbol of support and acceptance for those we care for, who identify as part of the rainbow community.
Do you know about the history of the Mardi Gras?
The Mardi Gras started in Australia in 1978, where a group were celebrating gay rights at a time when homosexuality was still illegal. Known as the Gay Solidarity Group, they organised a day of events to protest local issues, including the decriminalisation of homosexuality. Many of the group were arrested and assaulted by Police, with the Sydney Morning Herald later publishing the names and addresses of those who were arrested. Protests continued for the rest of 1978 and in subsequent years. In its second year, Mardi Gras expanded from a one-night march to a full-week festival. Three thousand people attended the Mardi Gras march in 1979, and no-one was arrested. Members of the original 1978 protest group still march in Mardi Gras today and are known as the 78ers.
Why is Mardi Gras important?
Mardi Gras is a key event in Australia’s annual calendar that celebrates members of the LGBTQI+ community. The parade and festival represent pride in the community, the fight for equality and it's a colourful explosion of self-expression, acceptance, belonging and happiness. Mardi Gras provides visibility for the rainbow community and celebrates all that has been achieved to support and advocate for the community through history. It is a family-friendly event that focuses on everyone being treated with dignity and respect, no matter who we are, whom we love, or what we believe.
The 2022 theme for Mardi Gras was ‘United We Shine’. As quoted from the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras organisation, the theme “signifies that when we band together, we shine brighter. It is a rallying call to stand up against hate and inequality, reminding us that when we rise as a collective, our message of love and inclusion is heard louder. We only need to look at our history to be empowered by the strength and resilience of LGBTQI+ people - we have the power to create a more equitable society.”
It’s getting popular!
Some familiar faces joined the 2022 Mardi Gras parade this year, and it is great to see our peers supporting such an important message of equality! The Australian Association of Social Workers, Autism Spectrum Australia, First Nations, Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation, and R U OK? are some of our community partners who participated this year.
Remember to check in with the committee Intranet page to access more information about up and coming events and access resources to help support the young people you work with and create a culturally-safe environment for them.
