International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination
The Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination, also known as IDAHOBIT amongst other names, is celebrated annually on 17 May.
On this day we, as a community, acknowledge that collectively we stand against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia and support all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people.
Every year Indigo Shire Council together with the community celebrate this important milestone and acknowledge the work we need to do together as a community to move forward.
What happened in 2026?
Indigo Shire Council gathered on Yorta Yorta land to raise the Pride flag as we stood in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community on Monday 18 May in Chiltern's Martin Park.
Local musicians Jodielyn Saunders and Samara Bright provided sensational performances and spoke with integrity on their experiences of growing up Queer in regional Victoria.
As has become custom for this Council-led event, it is held in community and is open to everyone who wants to help create a future where all people feel safe to live as their authentic selves. The Mayor Sophie Price raised the Pride Flag and spoke about the significance of the day, and our committment to the LGBTQIA+ community and to fighting all forms of discrimination.
Speech made by Jodielyn and Samara:
"This event is a really great opportunity for queer people to talk about pressing issues facing the community. In a rural area its difficult to voice challenges and experiences however this event allows us to do that.
We believe that this day needs to be stripped back to its bear bones because in reality this celebration has to be engrained in our community and society as a whole without it becoming a novelty. Our experience growing up in a rural town has profoundly influenced how we experienced queerness. Truthfully it needs to become a standard in a commonly narrow minded community.
If we must have a day that highlights homophobia the hopeful message behind this becomes redundant. However we have spent so long trying to have our voices heard that normalcy is almost impossible, we are at the point that this needs to become a novelty to be heard. Queer people live such nuanced lives that our existence will always be somewhat controversial and polarising. We are not here to please the masses, instead we are to speak about the potent reality that is lived by so many.
The support that is shown towards this day proves the progress that society is willing to make if its something they want to hear. If you are here today it shows your care for the community and change.
Thank you!"
On the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination we reaffirm our commitment to ending discrimination while celebrating the progress that continues to drive this important work forward. This day is more commonly known as IDAHOBIT, but it has had many name changes over the years as our understanding of gender, sexuality and inclusion has evolved.
The Progress Pride flag was designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018, and it updates the traditional rainbow flag to emphasise inclusion and progression, representing LGBTQ+ people of colour, the transgender community, and those living with HIV/AIDS. The Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag adds the intersex community to the Progress Pride Flag, and was created by Valentino Vecchietti in 2021. This is the most current update to the LGBTQIA+ Progress Pride Flag, and is the one that we choose to raise on May 18 as we advocate for safe inclusive spaces for all people.
Find out more about IDAHOBIT