May 19, 2023Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia, otherwise known as IDAHOBIT Day.
The day is celebrated across Australia and is an opportunity to take a stand against discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people.
Today, and always, we stand together with our LGBTQIA+ community and celebrate each others diversity.
IDAHOBIT Day was launched in 2004, and marks May 17 1990, the day the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases.
Christine Nicolaidis, co-chair of the Rainbow Working Group, says, “Whilst we have come a long way since homosexuality was considered a disease, LGBTQIA+ people are still discriminated against and experience poorer health outcomes as a result.”
Electra Ulrich, fellow co-chair, added, “As health care workers on the front line, it is important to know how to support and respect our diverse community, so that everyone, including staff, feel safe.”
Northern Health staff will today wear rainbow colours in support of our LGBTQIA+ community and are invited to join an education session this afternoon virtually at 2.30. This will be run by Minus 18, an Australian charity working to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth. The speaker is Max (he/him), who feels strongly about promoting and creating safe spaces to drive LGBTQIA+ inclusion all across Australia.
Other activities to mark the day include displays across sites, giveaways and even dog therapy at Bundoora Centre, Broadmeadows Hospital and Northern Hospital Epping from 10 am – to 12 pm today. Thank you to Lort Smith Animal Hospital! You can also participate in a staff survey and share ideas on how we can we better support the LGBTQIA+ community, including staff and patients.
As Paula Murray, Health Literacy Coordinator, and member of the Rainbow Committee says, “The LGBTQIA+ community need support more than ever.”
