Why IDAHOBIT is important

Why should your work celebrate IDAHOBIT on May 17th? As most of you know, the past six months have been challenging for the LGBTQIA+ community, so we're inviting you to stand with us - particularly those who are trans & gender diverse - and make your workplace a safe and inclusive environment for all. What does this look like at work? 68% of LGBTQIA+ employees in Australia are not out to everyone at work 77% of Trans & Gender Diverse people report being discriminated against the past 12 months 35% of LGBTQIA+ Australians have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months So what can you do? - Get informed and take action, I'd suggest with a free toolkit that's full of ideas, resources and activations: https://lnkd.in/gJKUAxtx - Be visible at work, it's a great time to share an image like below on socials or internally (both count!) and encourage your staff to wear their Rainbow Ribbons, Lanyards or add their pronouns to their signature - Educate your teams, it's such a great day to have important conversations be that a workshop/panel or sharing resources across your internal channels - Listen, there might be opportunities for feedback or growth from LGBTQIA+ staff or team, or allies close to them - how lucky you should consider yourself to get such valuable insights It's simple - inclusion matters. Workplaces have higher employee engagement and productivity when LGBTQIA+ people feel welcome and supported. Stats from: Diversity Council of Australia (Out at Work, 2018) La Trobe University (Private Lives 3, 2020) The Business Impact of LGBTIQ-Supportive Workplace Policies (2014)

Today is IDAHOBIT day. For those who don't know, IDAHOBIT Day is the international day against homophobia, biphobia, intersex discrimination, and transphobia. The date commemorates the World Health Organisation removing homosexuality from the classification of diseases. I read something the other day that said, 'If there is a sense of fear, then that implies that something is wrong.' I don't know an LGBTIQ+ person that does not have a sense of fear. That fear may not be constant for all, and many of us have places where we feel safe and welcome, but the reality is, especially at the moment, being queer means being unsafe. The anti LGBTIQ+ rhetoric and movements globally are terrifying, and while they are targeting all of us, they are overwhelmingly focused on the trans and gender diverse communities. They are spreading hate and misinformation at an alarming rate. So today, I ask you to do a few things: ?? Challenge the institutions and social groups you are part of. Start a conversation. ?? Educate yourself. We all have to start somewhere, and none of us are perfect. We should always be learning and evolving. ?? Acknowledge your biases and consider why you have the beliefs you have. ?? Show your support through action and visibility. I am lucky to have a network of people who support me and work tirelessly to advocate for our communities. And so today, I say to them, keep going. It does not go unnoticed. Image description: There 9 images taken in various settings. Image 1 is taken from the back of a stage at Midsumma, looking out into the crowd of people. Image 2 has 9 people in 2 rows posing for a group shot. Images 3-8 are of people attending an education event. In 2 of the images, there are 2 people standing next to each other, posing for a photo in front of pull-up banners, and in the 3 other images, there are people sitting at tables listening to speakers. The final image is 2 people sitting on a chez lounge in an open cubicle space with gold hanging material and the AO pride sign behind them.

It's IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia) today 17 May 2023. It's a great day to show your genuine commitment and TAKE THE Pride Pledge?????! By taking the Pledge you visibly show your support for LGBTTQIA+ safety, visibility and inclusion 365 days a year both internally and externally, plus you join a network of more than 300 organisations all working towards a more Rainbow Inclusive world. You can start now by taking The Pledge online and getting started. It's a good day to do good! https://lnkd.in/gQKPdCdR Or email me via info@pridepledge for a free consultation on our services including training, consulting, our stocktake and networking. #pridepledge #pride #idahobit2023 #lgbtqia #inclusion #diversity

Tomorrow is IDAHOBIT day. IDAHOBIT stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia. I have a message to share with you about what is happening in Victoria ?? AND A donation to Switchboard, no matter how big or small, is a chance for all of us to take action against the impacts of homophobia, biphobia, intersex discrimination and transphobia and provide ongoing community support. You can donate directly here: https://lnkd.in/gihT6_Y

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS ETERNAL VIGILENCE Who would have thought that we would see such a concerted attack on LGBTQ people and our community in this day and age? Around the world LGBTQ+ people are subject to discrimination, violence, and even death. Currently, there are at least 474 anti-LGBTQ bills being proposed in state legislatures across the United States. This is a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills being proposed in a single year. Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay’ legislation is conservatives’ attempt to silence our voices and create invisibility. As I’ve always said, “Silence and invisibility are killers”. Here in Australia, we are also seeing public opposition in new areas such as Drag Queen Story Time and some religious groups are demanding their right to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. In Uganda, known for the infamous “Kill the Gays” bill, laws are being introduced that further criminalise?homosexuality. Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe are hotbeds of anti-gay and anti-trans attitudes. Ignorance, fear-mongering and conspiracy theories fuels all this. Each year, May 17, is the ?International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (#IDAHOBIT). It is now more relevant than ever. #IDAHOBIT is a day to raise awareness of the discrimination and violence that LGBTQIA+ people face. It is also a day to celebrate the progress that has been made and to recommit ourselves to the fight for full equality. We MUST continue to speak out against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia and must continue to fight for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people around the world. We must NEVER give up until all LGBTQIA+ people can live free from fear and discrimination. What you can do to help raise awareness. * Wear rainbow colours to show your support for LGBTQ+ people. *?Post on social media about the day, what it means to you and why it’s important. Use the hashtag #IDAHOBIT. * Have a conversation with your friends and family about LGBTQ+ issues. * Share this post https://lnkd.in/gZtsW_rr Your voice is important. By taking action, you can make a difference and help create a world where everyone is free to be themselves, no matter who they love or how they identify. God I love my tribe and our wonderful allies. Thanks for your support. #idahobit #lgbtq #lgbtqia #lgbtqia+ #community #support #idahobit2023

?? From Silence to Solidarity: The Evolution of IDAHOBIT Day ?? I'm thrilled to share my latest blog post, "From Silence to Solidarity: The Evolution of IDAHOBIT Day," where I delve into the remarkable journey of this significant day. ??? IDAHOBIT Day (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia) has come a long way since its inception. ????? Initially created to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, it has now blossomed into a global movement, fostering inclusivity and celebrating diversity. In my article, I explore how IDAHOBIT Day has transformed from a moment of recognition to an opportunity for unity and solidarity. ?? From the early stages of breaking the silence surrounding LGBTQ+ issues to the current emphasis on advocacy, empowerment, and intersectionality, this evolution is truly inspiring. Join me on this enlightening journey, where I reflect on the historical milestones, remarkable achievements, and ongoing struggles that have shaped IDAHOBIT Day into the meaningful occasion it is today. ?? ?? Read the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/gjQ4CenF Let's continue raising awareness, challenging discrimination, and building a more inclusive world for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Together, we can create lasting change and embrace the diversity that makes our society thrive. ??? #diversity #gender #society #opportunity #community #share #change #building #IDAHOBITDay #InclusionMatters #EqualityForAll #LGBTQ+ #Solidarity

If you continue reading this, it may not be a popular post. 17 May is #IDAHOBIT , a day to remember that socio-cultural discrimination and state-sanctioned persecution of members of the #LGBTQIA+ communities still exist and are rising around the world. Many people don't have the privilege of legal protection against discrimination, something that I believe we have taken for granted in Australia. In Australia, many local councils are can canceling their #IDAHOBIT events, especially the Drag Story Time, citing security concerns as they been systematically targeted, harassed, and threatened by certain groups that have put it in their mission to quash #LGBTIQA+ rights. And the communities have reacted, and rightly so, to ensure that these groups do not win and for the collective to once again rise up against prejudice and discrimination. I don't have an issue with this, and in fact, am a strong supporter of such initiatives. However, as someone who live with intersecting marginalities, I must say that I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed because the communities got together only when the comfort and safety of the majority group within the #LGBTIQA+ communities are under attack, yet remain largely silent and indeed, ignore, the many plights of #LGBTIQA+ individuals with intersecting marginalities who have been asking for collective actions because our safety is in constant attack from multiple communities, including within the #LGBTIQA+ communities. Yet, we have been silenced and ignored. I'm angry because some members of the #LGBTQIA+ communities feel that they no longer have to fight because they can now 'blend in' to the heteronormative world, and indeed, aligning themselves with the very same groups that not long ago, discriminate against us, forgetting that the privilege that they are enjoying come from the blood, sweat, and tears of their peers, many of whom are #intersectional, and many of whom are still experiencing alienation from within. And I'm worried that, once this is all over, those who are currently fighting for the comfort and safety of the dominant group within the #LGBTIQA+ communities will simply pack their bags and leave us, #LGBTIQA+ with #intersectingmarginalities, behind. Once they gain their safety back, they will simply forget about us. The system will revert back to one that has been designed to maintain the status quo. And for some, they will, once again, ignore and remain silent on the on-going persecution against one of of our own, our peers, members of the LGBTIQA+ communities around the world. 17 May is #IDAHOBIT, and what I'm asking me peers and allies is this: What can we collectively do to ensure that we never fall asleep, that we fight for the safety and inclusion of our peers with intersecting marginalities, and to join our comrades around the world to end LGBTIQA+ persecution and discrimination? Because to do nothing is never an option.

As a proud ally and Westpac employee, I stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ colleagues on this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia and commit to creating an inclusive space for all #IDAHOBIT #Pride #Equality?#WestpacHRS Clay Riley Jocelyn King Jack Day Paige Cunningham Anthony Ayoub Lauren Bunton Michael Harrison Michael Cole Anna Stevenson-Guy Elizabeth Clerke

It's 2023 and I can't believe we're still having to protest this sh!t... ????? Tomorrow is another International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Sadly fear, hate and division continue to threaten not just our LGTBQIA+ community, but the broader foundations of our so-called egalitarian society. As LGTBQIA+ people, we also have work to do to topple bullying & discrimination within our own communities. Transphobia, biphobia, racism, ableism, faith-based discrimination, internalised shame (self-stigma) and other forms of prejudice remain significant problems in LGTBQIA+ spaces. As people with lived experience of discrimination, we can't erase the hate, but we can exercise solidarity across the full L-G-B-T-I-Q-I-A-+ spectrum by: ?? Uplifting those most marginalised ?? Owning privilege ?? Sharing resources ?? Making space for diverse voices ?? Speaking up against ALL prejudice ?? Addressing cultural appropriation in our community ?? Accepting that not all discrimination is the same ?? Honouring intersectionality I really think we need to be listening and learning together about how we can best have each other's backs ?????? Finally, with so much debate flying around about the very validity of our rights and identities, take a beat to check in with the LGTBQIA+ people in your lives, especially the young ones. The polarisation and sheer spectacle of conversations about our identities is a lot for people to hold. For support: QLife: 1800 184 527 |?Lifeline Australia:?13 11 14 |?Beyond Blue:?1300 224636 | Kids Helpline?1800 55 1800 | #IDAHOBIT2023

Do we have to wait until a child of ours identifies as LGBTQIA+ to learn and support the community and wish for a more inclusive society? ? Do we have to wait to be diagnosed as neurodiverse to start accepting others for their different abilities? ? Do we have to have a partner who is diagnosed with mental illness to start breaking the stigma around talking about it and showing there's no shame to seeking help? ? If we can all walk the earth seeing others as someone else's loved one - what wouldn't we do to make our world and workplaces better for them. ? To be an ally is to use our privilege, our social credits, our unearned advantages in society - however that looks like to each one of us - to look around and stand up, amplify the voices and address the needs of those who don't get what we get. ? There's no such thing as a passive ally. ? You either speak up, act, amplify and protect those who are systemically oppressed, excluded and disadvantaged - or you don't. ? And the ultimate tragedy, as Dr Martin Luther King said, “???? ?????? ?????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????????????.” ? It was my honour to join the ACON hosted panel to mark #IDAHOBIT 2023, to discuss how allyship plays a role - my top take outs: ? 1. When discriminatory language and behaviour is taking place - stand up and use your voice to say "That's really not the way to speak any more" - be curious and ask people what makes them say what they say. ? 2. Stand up for the LGBTQ/discriminated person when they are not in the room to defend themselves ? 3. Don't rely on the underrepresented person/LGBTQ person to educate you - google is your friend - information is a few clicks away so do your own research - as the toll it takes to come out again and again and educate people is exhausting ? 4. Turn knowledge into action from wherever you stand - you don't need a title - look at your processes, teams, systems, policies, environments - how inclusive are you? ? 5. Unlearn everything you've been taught - stop for a moment - do you believe things about gender, relationships, people, races, identity because that's just what you've been told - just because you heard it and thought it doesn't mean it's true - ??????????????-??????????????-???????????? with your hearts to evaluate for yourself what is right - and keep learning to help others thrive and have the same if not more advantages than you! Thank you Kent Hildred for your excellent facilitation, Francisco Lopez for your event set up. Massive thanks to Scott Brunelle and Amelia Catt for the insights and laughs. And I thank where I work - Capgemini for educating me through the Pride in Diversity training, setting up an environment where anyone can be bold, take action, and be empowered to make changes for the better. Thanks Nicki Elkin Steph Sands Wayne Marshall Stacey Waters for the education.