International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia (IDAHO)
The International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia (IDAHO) is recognised in over 60 countries around the world on 17 May, the 1990 date when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.
In Australia, although we’ve come a long way, unjust laws and unfriendly attitudes mean that discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people is still widespread.
Most LGBTI people have to deal with homophobic or transphobic harassment or verbal abuse and many have been physically attacked just for being who they are. As a result of homophobia and discrimination, LGBT young people are more likely to start using drugs, self harm or attempt suicide.
LGBTI people in Australia are still fighting for equal rights, like the right to get married, or the right to adopt children, and some churches, schools and institutions can still legally discriminate on the basis of sexuality.
This is why we need IDAHO. It’s a great opportunity to challenge homophobia and transphobia and to celebrate diversity. Anyone can get involved and any action, big or small, makes a difference.
Some IDAHO events around the country in 2011 (click your state link)
New South Wales
Victoria
Western Australia
Tell us YOUR local IDAHO events by emailing the info to info@lgbtihealth.org.au with the subject 'IDAHO event'
New South Wales
Sex and gender Diverse Forum on Transphobia 2011
6pm-8pm Wednesday 18th May
ACON- 9 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
Exploring how discrimination impacts on people of diverse sex, sexuality and gender will be the subject of this community panel and forum. It is an exciting addition to Sydney's IDAHO activities marking a move towards increasing focus on issues related to transphobia.
The event will feature a panel of diverse speakers including Liz Ceissman and Katherine Cummings from the Gender Centre, Gina Wilson from Organisation Intersex International (OII), Mish Glitter Pony and Bastian Fox Phelan from Still Fierce, and speakers from Twenty 10 and Wear It Purple.
Topics include the history of the trans movement, homophobia/transphobia, The place and context of intersex in GLBTI, youth issues, the new Transgender Anti-Violence Project, and a new term ‘intersex, sex and gender diverse (ISGD)'. It’s an opportunity for many ISGD voices and is an important GLBTI community education tool.
The forum is a collaboration between a number of community based groups and organisations and will be held at ACON’s Sydney offices. Light refreshments provided.
Contact Robert at ACON for more information: (02) 9206 2066 or 1800 063 060
Pride In Diversity Business Luncheon and Awards
12:30pm – 2:30pm Tuesday 17th May, 2011
Glass Restaurant, Sydney Hilton
Pride in Diversity is Australia’s first and only not-for-profit workplace program designed specifically to assist Australian employers with the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees.
This inaugural Pride In Diversity Business Luncheon will include a presentation of awards for Australia's top employers for LGBT people. The awards will be based on Pride In Diversity's Australian Workplace Equality Index, a free service provided by Pride In Diversity that evaluates and benchmarks LGBT inclusiveness in Australian workplaces.
The luncheon will provide a valuable new platform for businesses and organisations to highlight the quality of their diversity practice and for guests to network with leaders from the both the public and private sectors.
Guest speakers will include Pride In Diversity's new patron the Hon. Michael Kirby as well as some of Australia's leading senior executives.
Cost: $145
Tel: (02) 9206 2136
Email: pid@prideindiversity.com.au
Web: www.prideindiversity.com.au
The 2011 GLORIA’s Award night
6.30pm Friday 3rd June
NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney
The GLORIA’s is a fun award event that shines a light on outrageous, ignorant and plainly ridiculous public comments made about gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people in our community every day. The event is organised by Penny Sharpe, Labor member of the Legislative Council. The GLORIAs culminate in an awards dinner at NSW Parliament House.
The GLORIA’s are modelled on Meredith Burgmann’s annual Ernie’s awards, an event that has for the last 20 years given awards for the most sexist comments of the year.
Nominations across the eight categories - Media, Sport, Politics, Law, Religion, Online, International and Silliest GLBTI comment made from within the GLBTI community, can be made by anyone at anytime before the event at www.theglorias.com.au
Nominations are open now and close 5pm Thursday 5th May. Voting Opens Friday 6th May and closes 5pm on GLORIA Awards Night.
Cost $130 per head or $1200 for a table of 10. Please note this is not a political fundraiser. Cost covers event only. Bookings: www.theglorias.com.au
Phone 02 9230 2741 or email info@theglorias.com.au
The annual IDAHO Exhibition
Launch Tuesday May 17th 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Exhibition 17th - 28th May.
Pine Street Gallery, 64 Pine Street Chippendale
This year’s exhibition theme is ‘FRAGILITY - Strength of Spirit’. This is an annual community based exhibition inviting all members of the community to create artworks that deal with issues relating to homophobia/identity. Special performance by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir.
Two special events during the FRAGILITY exhibition at Pine Street Gallery
o Wear It Purple Afternoon Saturday the 28th of May, 11am to 3pm. Supporting Rainbow youth at risk (see separate event listing)
o ‘100 Voices’ Saturday 21st May, 11am - 4pm. The Pride History Group is working to preserve and pass on Sydney’s lesbian, gay and transgender memories to another generation. 100 Voices is the groups next big project making its large collection of oral history interviews available for public access in 2012. Get involved, be interviewed, and preserve the stories. New video history works and sound scapes. Contact John: info@pridehistorygroup.org.au
Contact IDAHO Sydney 0420 422 611
Email: info@idahosydney.org
Web: www.idahosydney.org
Wear It Purple
Saturday the 28th of May 2011, 11am to 3pm
Pine Street Creative Arts Centre, 64 Pine Street, Chippendale
Wear it Purple formed in 2010 after a string of gay youth suicides in the United States. Proclaiming that every young person has the right to feel proud of who they are, the group co-ordinated a day to encourage people everywhere to “wear it purple” in order to raise awareness about homophobic/transphobic bullying and youth suicide.
Supported by the City of Sydney, on May 28, Wear it Purple is hosting an event to celebrate and support rainbow youth. This special youth friendly event will be held as part of the annual IDAHO Exhibition ‘FRAGILITY’ (see separate event listing). The day will consist of music, artworks and workshops. A safe space will be created enabling young people an opportunity to share personal experiences relating to homophobic/transphobic violence, suicide and self-harm.
Wear it Purple are also seeking young performers (25 or under) who wish to perform as part of day. Interested performers can contact scott@wearitpurple.org for more information. Special performance by FLAMBA
www.wearitpurple.org
Scott Williams: 0458 008 191 scott@wearitpurple.org
KISS exhibition
2nd - 16th May at Customs House Library (Circular Quay, Sydney)
9th May - 4th June at Margot Harding Gallery, University of Western Sydney, Bankstown campus
KISS is a series of photographs taken at recent community events across Sydney, documenting expressions of love and the joy of ‘pashing’. The Kiss IDAHO 2011 exhibition brings together the many different communities within Sydney, showing that a kiss does not discriminate.
Images were taken at the Valentines Day Marriage Rights Rally, smARTarts Youth Festival, an afternoon with Harbour City Bears, a Christmas picnic with the Rainbow Babies and Kids and the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival Fair Day. The exhibition documents real people participating in a peaceful protest in favour of same sex relationships/all relationships.
The KISS exhibition is an on going project that was launched at Pine Street Gallery as part of the New Mardi Gras Festival in 2011.
Being Gay, Lesbian & Transgender Out West: Opportunities, Challenges & Fun
Tuesday 17th May. 6.30 snacks / 7 - 8.30pm panel discussion
St Marys Memorial Hall, Corner Great Western Highway and Mamre roads, St Marys
The Open Door (Penrith) is proudly hosting this IDAHO event to raise awareness of the challenges facing our GLBTI community in Sydney's western suburbs.
Our very special guest, Julie McCrossin, journalist and broadcaster, will MC a panel of invited guests including local police, PFLAG, ACON, the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, as well as representatives from GLBTI religious and social groups in Sydney's west. Lucky Door Prizes every 15 minutes!
The aims for the night will be to:
- share positive strategies for addressing key local challenges
- share information about local services, support and fun for gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender people
- enjoy a lively discussion with audience participation
If you are part of Sydney's western suburbs support groups and wish to be part of the panel, please contact LizR@theopendoor.org.au . Open Door is a Christian based support group and social group for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Community.
Pastor Susan Palmer: opendoor@optusnet.com.au
Go to the Facebook page for more details
Blue Mountains Rainbow Flag Raising & Breakfast
17th May. 8am – 9.30am
Blue Mountains Family Support Service, 2 Station Street, Katoomba
Come and share a free community breakfast from 8am and from 8.45am hear speakers from the local community celebrating their Rainbow families. 9am Official Flag Raising Ceremony outside council. This is an opportunity for all residents to rally together for an inclusive Blue Mountains by standing as one united community to raise the Rainbow Flag.
Last year the Blue Mountains City Council made a historic commitment to showing on-going respect and value for its LGBTIQ residents by raising the Rainbow flag for the first time. This year’s event will focus on celebrating our Blue Mountains Rainbow Families.
Guests are also invited to participate in/have their photos taken for This Is Oz, an online anti-homophobia photo gallery/human rights campaign run by ACON’s Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project. Visit www.thisisoz.com.au
Blue Mountains IDAHO 2011 is a community partnership between Blue Mountains City Council, Blue Mountains Women Health Resource Centre (BMWHRC), SOAAR/Wimlah and Pink Mountains.
Contact: Celia 4872 9158 or soarssdv@bigpond.com
Website: pinkmountains.com.au
Heroes Vigil
5:00pm - 7:00pm, Tuesday 17th May, 2011
Amphitheatre and Stage, Martin Place, Sydney
This vigil will commemorate heroes of our communities throughout his/herstory. People are invited to bring images of their community heroes that have experienced this type of violence and vilification to stand alongside the images of Harvey Milk, David Kato, Sylvia Riviera, Brandon Teena, Matthew Shepard, and Veronica Baxter.
This event is to help raise the profile of homophobic and transphobic violence as a global phenomenon, and one that begins in our back yard.
Bring a candle, and light it as the sun goes down.
This event will announce the start of a year-long campaign calling upon government bodies to sign and ratify the joint statement of the 2011 Asia Pacific Outgames Human Rights Conference at the 2011/2012 International Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Association, Asia Regional Conference.
Contact Angelus Morningstar on 0424108950, angelus.v.morningstar@gmail.com or visit http://on.fb.me/IDAHOvigil
Parramatta ‘Sea of Hearts’ & ‘This is Oz’ event
12noon, Tuesday 17th May, 2011
Church Street Mall (opposite the Town Hall) Parramatta
Visibility of GLBTI people in the Greater West is very important and the exhibition at Parramatta is focused on this. We aim to bring homophobia into the mall and help people think about how it affects everybody. The exhibition will use images of local heroes from the Parramatta Eels football club showing their support with their messages of inclusion and tolerance.
There will be projection of "This Is Oz" images, planting the sea of hearts and distribution of anti homophobia resources.
Please contact Gavin Prendergast at ACON on 9206 2000 for more information
IDAHO 2011@ Macquarie University
Presented by MUSRA, The Queer Collective, and The Macquarie University Ally Network together with IDAHO Sydney, the Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby and ACON’s Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project. Supported by Macquarie University’s Equity & Diversity Unit & Campus Experience.
The IDAHO Equality Barbie - demonstrate your support for equality.
17th May 2011, 12pm - 2pm, Central Courtyard
Free Barbeque. Performances. Sea of Hearts.
This Is Oz photo booth: www.thisisoz.com.au
IDAHO@MQ Film Festival
The Macquarie University Ally Network is coordinating this inaugural film festival during the week of 16th – 20th May. A selection of films exploring homophobia and transphobia will be screened:
Monday 16 May, 12pm -2pm Level 3: The Hub
The Laramie Project (97 mins) Feature Film (rated R)
Tuesday 17 May, 1pm – 3.30pm Level 3: The Hub
Boys Don't Cry (118 mins) Feature Film (rated R)
Wednesday 18 May, 12pm – 2.30pm Level 3: The Hub
The Darker Side of Black (55 mins) documentary & Outing Gay Hate (60 mins) documentary
Thursday 19 May, 12pm – 2pm Level 3: The Hub
Licensed to Kill (80 mins) documentary
Friday 20 May, 12 – 2pm Level 3: The Hub
Family Fundamentals (75 mins) documentary & Out for a Change: Addressing Homophobia in Women's Sport (28 mins) documentary
Contact: 9850 7471
equityanddiversity@mq.edu.au
IDAHO 2011@University of Western Sydney
KISS (Love Combating Fear) Photography Exhibition - Margot Hardy Gallery, Building 23, Bankstown Campus
9 May - 3 Jun 2011 Open: Monday - Friday, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
KISS is a series of photographs taken at community events across Sydney, documenting expressions of love and the joy of ‘pashing’. The exhibition brings together the many different communities within Sydney, showing that a kiss does not discriminate.
Images were taken at the Valentines Day Marriage Rights Rally, smARTarts Youth Festival, an afternoon with Harbour City Bears, a Christmas picnic with the Rainbow Babies and Kids and the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival Fair Day. The exhibition documents real people participating in a peaceful protest in favour of same sex relationships/all relationships.
Kissing Booth - Bankstown Campus 17th May
Everyone is welcome and you can get involved! Visit the Kissing Booth on the 17th of
May and pose for a pash. Your kiss image will be sent to you via email and may also be shown as part of the 2011 International Day Against Homophobia exhibition titled FRAGILITY Strength of Spirit. Presented by IDAHO Sydney (see separate event listing) www.idahosydney.org
IDAHO and UWS Ally Stall - Bankstown Campus 17th May
UWS Equity and Diversity will have an stall giving out Golden Gaytime Ice creams
and information on IDAHO and the UWS Ally Network at UWS – come along to the
stall to learn more about how you can be involved in combating homophobia and
transphobia at UWS and beyond.
This is Oz Photo Booth - Bankstown Campus 17th May (12 midday - 2pm)
This Is Oz www.thisisoz.com.au (run by ACON’s Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project) is an online photo gallery where people can help fight discrimination against Australia’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) community. Part art project, part human rights campaign, This Is Oz is all about making Australia a place where everyone belongs. On 17 May you can come along to the booth, create a message and have your photo taken and uploaded onto the This is Oz online photo gallery in support of inclusion and diversity across Australia.
Sea of Hearts - Bankstown Campus 17th May
Come along and write a message in support of the “All love is equal” campaign on a pink heart and plant it into the ground to form a Sea of Hearts on the grass outside Building 23. This is a NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby project - see photos at
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=116572905335&aid=333743
For more information please visit www.uws.edu.au/equity_diversity/equity_and_diversity/activities_and_prog... and find links to the UWS Ally Network contacts in your area.
Public Symposium: “It’s An Issue of (In)Visibility”- outside Building 1 or at Margot Hardy Gallery Building 23 Bankstown Campus (if bad weather)
The inclusive representation of the GLBTIQ community is an issue of great importance and contention, both in society at large and within the “community” itself. Discrimination isn’t a simple matter of ‘us vs. them,’ but can (and does) happen along multiple lines of identification, including but not limited to issues of class, ethnicity, race, sex, gender, sexual identity and the allegiance to certain political agendas. This symposium will aim to provide a platform for individuals to share their experiences of (in)visibility and discrimination within both the GLBTIQ community and mainstream society, as well as providing them with an opportunity to suggest a way toward a society that is more inclusive for all.
Wollongong City Sea of Hearts 2011
10am-2pm, 17th May 2011
Wollongong Mall
For more information, please contact Trevor at ACON’s Illawara office on 02-42261163.
IDAHO 2011 Special Service at Pitt Street Uniting Church
10am, Sunday 15th May 2011
Pitt Street Uniting Church, 264 Pitt Street Sydney
A special service on Sunday, May 15 will be held to mark International Day Against Homophobia, the title of the service is ‘Healing Homophobia’, Pitt Street Uniting Church minister Revd. Ian Pearson, said homophobia “was a sin and in need of healing”, “Heterosexism, the idea that heterosexual people are superior to homosexual people, is like racism,” Pearson said.
“Prejudice robs us all of our common humanity.”
Contact Pitt Street Uniting Church- Revd. Ian Pearson on 02 9267 3614
University of Newcastle IDAHO 2011 Bake Sale & ‘Sea of Hearts’
11am - 2pm, Tuesday 17 May 2011
University of Newcastle (On the grassy knoll between Shortland Building and the Great Hall)
Organised by the Queer Collective Contact Lara Field: lara.field@uon.edu.au
Newcastle IDAHO Choir Flash Mob
12.30pm, Tuesday 17th May 2011
Organised by the Newcastle Gay & Lesbian Choir
For more information contact: newcastlegaylesbianchoir@hotmail.com
“Australian Voices” Macquarie Grammer School IDAHO 2011 Celebrations
As part of an ‘Australian Voices’ unit, students will be creating portfolios about Australians who have through their courage, initiative, and persistence, used their skills to make Australia a better place to live. Students will present their findings and deliver their presentations to peers on or near the IDAHO date, to increase students’ knowledge, not only about Australia in general, but about the people and activities that make up our diverse community.
For more information, contact Mrs Kohlrusch: m.kohlrusch@mega.edu.au
Newcastle City Council City Hall IDAHO 2011
Rainbow Flag to fly from Newcastle City Council City Hall
This is Oz poster display in Newcastle City Council Building.
City of Sydney Town Hall IDAHO 2011
Rainbow Flag to fly from City of Sydney Town Hall.
Victoria
IDAHO Flash Mob
6pm Tuesday May 17th
Melbourne CBD
On May 17th 2011 we will be armed with pom-poms and an awesome kick-arse DJ mix celebrating being GLBTIQ while remembering International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Rehearsals are every Thursday 6-7:30pm (Level 10 / 225 Bourke Street, Melbourne) for the next three weeks:
- Rehearsals 5th May
- Rehearsals 12th May
We will also be uploading a video and step-by-step cheat sheet, so keep an eye out for our Youtube routine:
- IDAHO Melbourne Flashmob - part1
- IDAHO Melbourne Flashmob - part 2
- IDAHO Melbourne Flashmob Full Routine
To participate on the day join our group on Facebook IDAHO May 17th 2011 - Melbourne Flashmob or to find out more info where it will be happening check out the facebook event!
Western Australia
IDAHO 2011
5:30-9:30pm Saturday 21st May
Bar 138 on Barrack
This year, to mark International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia Gay And Lesbian Equality (GALE) WA will be hosting a collaborative event to raise funds for local organisations that provide advocacy and support to the GLBTI community, as well as providing opportunities to network with local MPs and policy- makers. Guests will include Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi and Allan McDonald from the WA Equal Opportunities Commission.
Tickets are $20 ($15 Concession) and can be bought from Bar 138 on Barrack, or pre-ordered by emailing matt@galewa.asn.au
Find out more at the Facebook event page
Bingay!
7-10pm Tuesday 17th May
Curtin University Tavern
To celebrate International Day Against Homophobia, Curtin Guild Queer Department will be holding a night of bingo and drag performances. So bring your good luck charms and cross those fingers for some ball dropping fun. Performers are still to be announced, and tickets are available now from your Queer Officer or shoot us a message at sexuality@guild.curtin.edu.au to secure your tickets for $10 for non-Guild members or $7.50 for Guild members
Find out more at the Facebook event page
Murdich Queer Collective IDAHO Bake Sale
10-2pm Tuesday 17th May
Murdoch University Bush Court
To celebrate International Day Against Homophobia we will be having another one of our infamous Bake Sales.
Find out more at the Facebook event page
Kiss In for Marriage Equality
1pm Saturday 21st May
Murray St Mall Perth
Calling on all supporters of Equal Love to attend our International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia event.
We want to highlight that not all love is equal, on a day that is about taking a stand against homophobia and transphobia.
What better way of campaigning for marriage equality than by having a ‘kiss-in’ in the middle of the Murray Street Mall. This event is designed to highlight to media and people passing by that this issue is alive and kicking, so join us for the kiss-in and help hand out leaflets for the August 13 Equal Love Rally!
CAN HAZ CUPCAKES? a.k.a. UWA QD's Fundraising Bake Sale
12:30 - 2:30pm Tuesday, May 17
Oak Lawn, University of WA, Nedlands
We're raising funds for everyone to go to Queer Collaborations this year and WE NEED YOU! If you fancy yourself a dessert-smith, then please PLEASE whip us up something? We'll pay you in sprinkles :) Or come along and buy something on the day!
Find out more at the Facebook event page
IDAHO ArtSPACEs @ Freedom Centre
12-5pm Saturday 14th May & 5-8pm Wednesday 18th May
Freedom Centre, 93 Brisbane St. Perth
Come to FC drop-in sessions to celebrate IDAHO, learn impermanent street art methods and make your statement about a world FREE of homophobia and transphobia!
Check out freedom.org.au for more info
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