Hear from some of the Australia Post team this IDAHOBIT

May 17 is the day that in 1990 the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. It’s now celebrated as IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) which we as a business mark with action and education every year.

We caught up with four Australia Post team members part of the LGBTQIA+ community to hear what the day means to them, how they feel supported at Australia Post, and what change they’d like to see in the world to benefit their community.

Meet Joseph (he/she/they) from our Capability Team, Paiton (she/they) and Spencer (they/them) from our NSW South Coast Retail Team and Connor (he/him) from our Customer Contact Centre.

AP: Why is IDAHOBIT important to you??

Joseph: IDAHOBIT is important because it’s an opportunity to bring attention to any issues facing the community, or simply to educate people about the community in general; how they could be a better ally, and just to learn more about us.

Paiton: It’s important because it gives us recognition for everyone that’s in the LGBTQIA+ community who’s experienced or experiencing discrimination for who they are, whether it be gender identity or sexual orientation.?

AP: As part of the LGBTQIA+ community, do you feel safe and supported at Australia Post??

Joseph: Being at Australia Post, it’s somewhere where I can bring my whole self to work. I don’t have to worry about people making any comments or anything. If they did, I know that there is support available and that I’m looked after.

Paiton: Everyone that I work with has accepted me for being demisexual. A few people have asked to clarify it but no one has ever judged my orientation.

Spencer: Being with Australia Post, I feel both safe and supported where I work. I identify as non-binary and use they/them pronouns and prefer that people call me Spencer. Every person around me that I work with supports me for being me. They’ve never once questioned and they’ve always accepted it and encouraged me to just be me.

Connor: At Australia Post, I’ve absolutely been supported throughout my transition and affirming my gender as well…from just your best friends knowing that ‘hey, this is my pronoun’ all the way up to getting to be part of those pride parades.

AP: What’s one change you’d like to see in the world when it comes to acceptance and celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community??

Joseph: A change I’d like to see is more people feeling that they can also bring their full selves and feel more confident holding their partner’s hand in public, or presenting themselves as they really are. I hope that’s something that everyone can experience – whether you’re part of the (LGBTQIA+) community or anyone else as well.?

Paiton: I would like people to accept the terms in which we use how we identify as it doesn’t affect them any way that would destroy their lives, but only make us feel accepted within the community.

Spencer: One thing that I’d really like to see a change with is the stigma around LGBTQIA+ community for being wrong or disgusting for who they are.?

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You can hear from Joseph, Paiton, Spencer and Connor and share your support for them in our video here.