City of Ballarat celebrates IDAHOBIT 2022

The City of Ballarat will join with the community to stand against LGBTIQA+ discrimination with the raising of the Rainbow Flag on 17 May at the community flagpole from 4.15pm, to mark International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). 

The annual day calls on the community to challenge homophobic, biphobic, intersexist and transphobic language and behaviour when it’s safe to do so, and to celebrate LGBTIQA+ diversity. 

This year IDAHOBIT is being marked with a flag raising ceremony with speeches from City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney (he/him) and representatives from community groups and organisations.  

The ceremony will be followed by a community event at the Ballarat Library which will have an LGBTIQA+ musician playing, supper, and interactive workshops. 

A Rainbow Hearts flag will also be unveiled which has been hand-crafted at four community workshops run by City of Ballarat Youth Facilitators at the Ballarat and Sebastopol libraries in April and May.  

More than 850 hearts have been joined together to create the display in support of diversity in love.  

Cr Moloney said days like IDAHOBIT were so important in breaking down societal stigmas and making Ballarat a city of inclusivity.  

“IDAHOBIT gives us all a chance to celebrate the LGBTIQA+ people in our lives that mean so much to us personally and who make up a significant part of the Ballarat population,” he said.  

“It’s so important for everyone in our community to take a stand against discrimination in our community and stand side-by-side with one another to create a stronger and more inclusive Ballarat. 

“I am incredibly proud as Mayor to be a leader in our community that supports and upholds the rights and protections of LGBTIQA+ people through many of the activities, strategies, and policies of Council.  

“Our doors are always open and our ears are always listening to the almost 10 per cent of Ballarat’s population that identify as LGBTIQA+ so we can best support you.” 

The flag raising ceremony and community events are free and all are welcome. To RSVP and read the full biographies of the speakers and to RSVP, visit the event page via Eventbrite.  

Hosted by the City of Ballarat, these events are endorsed by the City of Ballarat’s LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee.