Council shows support for LGBTIQ community ahead of IDAHOT
The City of Greater Geelong continued to show its support for the region's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community by raising the rainbow flag on City Hall again today.
The rainbow flag was raised for the second time on City Hall in preparation for the upcoming IDAHOT Day – the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Community Safety and Youth portfolio holder Cr Jan Farrell said the flag raising event and celebration of diversity sent a strong message of support to the LGBTI community.
“It’s a significant commitment to have the rainbow flag flying above City Hall and the transgender flag flying close by. This sends a strong message that the City of Greater Geelong is proud to support all the LGBTI members of our community,” she said.
Cr Farrell said it was exciting to see young people leading this year’s IDAHOT Day events.
"Council's gasp program, which supports same-sex attracted and gender-questioning young people, recently celebrated its 18th birthday."
“The theme for this year’s IDAHOT Day is ‘youth’, so I’m thrilled to see young people taking the lead on this year’s flag raising. They’ve shown they can celebrate and appreciate their many differences, now they are stepping up to organise an event that is important to them,” said Cr Farrell.
Cr Farrell said it was important to acknowledge the varying circumstances facing some members of our community. She said that the effects of bullying can be devastating.
“It’s a scary fact that despite years of work to address discrimination and harassment, almost 70% of LGBTI young people have experienced homophobic or transphobic bullying.”
IDAHOT Day is being celebrated on Sunday 17 and Monday 18 May.
For more information, visit http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/idahot-2015-focus-issue-to-be-lgbti-youth/.