NSW’s leading LGBTQ health organisation, ACON, has provided a range of grants to support community events and initiatives being held across NSW that will mark IDAHOBIT – International day against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia and discrimination against intersex people.
IDAHOBIT takes place every year on 17 May – to mark the day in 1990 that homosexuality was removed from the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Diseases. The day aims to raise awareness of LGBTIQ+ rights, and the discrimination that many sexuality people throughout the world continue to experience.
In 2021, the global theme of “Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing”, recognising the recent challenges that the world has faced since 2020.
In acknowledging the significance of IDAHOBIT, ACON has provided support to local community initiatives with a small grants scheme to help increase awareness of, and engagement with, this important day. This year, emphasis was placed on supporting community events in rural and regional NSW, and Greater Western Sydney.
Sixteen grants of up to $1000 each have been awarded to community groups and organisations throughout the state, seven of which are in regional NSW and 9 that are in Greater Western Sydney. Among the activities being held are a luncheon with local businesses, themed panel discussions, a multicultural costume workshop, religious celebrations, and other events aiming to foster awareness and celebration of LGBTQ+ diversity.
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says IDAHOBIT events are vital in ensuring visibility and community connection for sexuality and gender diverse communities in both metropolitan and regional areas.
“ACON’s recent scoping study, Advancing LGBTQ+ Safety and Inclusion, confirmed a range of daily challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people living in Greater Western Sydney including high levels of racism, discrimination, violence and harassment and a lack of inclusive health and community services. In response, ACON is proud to work with local communities to increase LGBTQ visibility and bring attention to important issues via our grants program,” Parkhill said.
“The grants committee was pleased to see applications from a variety of emerging and existing LGBTQ+ community groups as well as established service providers who are all focused on engaging local communities and fostering community leadership and action.
“This year’s theme highlights the struggles everyone in our communities around the world has faced over the past, extremely tough year. While the coronavirus pandemic is far from over and will continue to have an impact on social activism and the fight for everyone across Australia and around the world to be free and safe to be themselves, we can still come together to inspire, support and love one another.
“ACON is proud to work with our partners in celebrating the rich diversity of our vibrant communities in NSW,” Parkhill said. “In celebrating IDAHOBIT, we are given a chance to reflect on the importance of speaking up for equality and diversity, giving our communities’ a voice and creating safe spaces where inclusion is celebrated.”
ENDS
RECIPIENTS OF ACON IDAHOBIT GRANTS 2021
| Group Name | Town/ Region | Event Type |
| Queer Family Inc | Brunswick Heads | All ages, family friendly day featuring a BBQ, workshops, games, giant twister, art, kayaking and other entertainment. |
| Upper Hunter Youth Services | Muswellbrook | Weekly program of activities up to IDHAOBIT that will foster social connection such as community events, arts, and recreation activities, meeting other like-minded people, forming connections and friends in a safe environment, culminating in a party on 17 May. |
| LGBTQIA North West and New England | Armidale | All ages Games Day at Black Heart Games with board games, RPG games and LGBTQIA + Diversity themed Trivia. |
| Wagga Wagga Family Support Service | Wagga Wagga | Official launching of ‘Out Social’ which is a co-designed group by young people aged 18-25 who identify as LGBTQA+ that embraces diversity and ensures full inclusivity of all groups. |
| Hay Mardi Gras Inc / Rainbow on the Plains Festival | Hay | Community meal to bring people together and create a sense of community among the Hay LGBTIQ+ community, people of all abilities and backgrounds, and their allies. |
| The Rainbow Underground | Wollongong | IDAHOBIT Family Market Day at MacCabe Park in Wollongong, consisting of family friendly activities such as children's face painting, arts and crafts and active activities, with live music and entertainment by local queer artists and performers. |
| headspace Dubbo | Dubbo | A ‘Rainbow Reveal’ fashion show with Drag Queen host and karaoke. |
| Sydney Queer Muslims Inc | Parramatta | Eid lunch celebration with other Queer Muslims, their friends and allies. |
| Christian Community Aid | Parramatta | Community bbq and interactive public stall with painting, music, drum performances and more. |
| Blue Mountains Family Support Service Inc. (t/as Thrive Services) | Katoomba | IDAHOBIT themed trivia and karaoke event |
| Parrmatta Mission | Penrith | IDAHOBIT lunch with guest speakers, bringing together Queer Community Organisations and Individuals along with allied businesses, corporate and local government leaders. |
| Rainbow Families | Penrith | All ages, family day in Emu Heights featuring badge making, animal farm, face painting, pizza and refreshments and a resource table connecting people to local services and with information about IDAHOBIT. |
| headspace Bankstown | Bankstown | A panel discussion to discuss various topics surrounding LGBTIQ experiences of intersectionality and social cohesion. |
| Outloud | Bankstown | Celebrating LGBTIQA+ diversity with workshops with screen printing and design development for young queer or questioning people in Western Sydney. |
| Blacktown LGBTIQA+ community support group | Blacktown | An event for LGBTIQA+ communiity members with asylum seeker refugee or refugee-like backgrounds to join the community support group in a half day of nature walking and lunch. |
| Sydney Bi+ Network | Western Sydney | Panel event featuring guest speakers sharing their experiences. |
| Multicultural / ethnic community support | Lidcombe | Pacific Islander costume design workshop. |
