Baw Baw Shire Council is proud to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) and raise the Pride flag in support of inclusivity and diversity.
IDAHOBIT is celebrated annually on 17 May to recognise the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the classification of Disease and Related Health Problems. IDAHOBIT Day raises awareness about the work still needed to be done to combat discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people globally.
To show visibility and support within our community, and to affirm Council’s commitment to all groups and people within Baw Baw Shire, Council will raise the Pride Flag at the Drouin Civic Centre.
Baw Baw Shire Council is also undertaking a series of initiatives and actions in support of LGBTIQ+ inclusiveness and diversity in our community and across the organisation, including:
- Developing a Youth Strategy with an intersectional lens that incorporates our current Youth programs.
- Implementing the Whole of Victorian Government’s “Pride in Our Future 2022-32” Strategy.
- Facilitating Gender Impact Assessments as part of the Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plan.
- Sending representatives to march in the 2023 St Kilda Pride March.
- Holding two places at the Rainbow Local Government conference this month.
- Supporting local PRIDE events with funding via Council’s Community Sponsorship Grants program.
- Including LGBTIQ+ resources and materials in our libraries.
- Actively supporting community led events which promote LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
To support and inform Council’s efforts, on Wednesday 11 May Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando briefed Council and members of Baw Baw Shire Council’s Executive Team via Zoom on the progress of Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ Strategy 2022-32.
Council is also proud to be part of the 2022 Gippsland Roller Derby Pride Cup as it returns to Warragul for another year. The Pride Cup was first launched in 2019 in celebration of local LGBTIQ+ athletes and to promote visibility, inclusion and engagement amongst the community.
Hosted by the Gippsland Ranges Roller Derby, this year’s Derby will be held on Saturday 28 May and will also feature a range of health and education stalls hosted by LGBTIQ+ support groups.
To learn more about how you can celebrate IDAHOBIT please visit
Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Michael Leaney
“In Australia, 75% of LGBTIQ+ youth experience some form of discrimination, and 39% LGBTQI+ people of all ages have experienced depression in the last 12 months.
As a member of the LGBTIQ+ community I have personally experienced discrimination, both covert and overt, throughout my lifetime and sadly this does continue. While we are improving as a society, my lived experience and these stats show there is still a long way to go.
Celebrating IDAHOBIT is an important way to show visible support for our LGBTIQ+ friends, neighbours and family members and let them know that they are seen and valued as part of our community.”
“The people of our organisation are driven towards fostering a workplace culture where everyone feels safe and supported to be themselves. In support of IDAHOBIT we look to combat discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people across all aspects of the organisation and wider Baw Baw Shire community.”
Image: Mayor Michael Leaney and Deputy Mayor Annemarie McCabe raising the Pride Flag at Drouin Civic Centre.
