IDAHOBIT day
17 May
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) is observed on 17 May and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBTIQA+ rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBTIQA+ rights work worldwide.
May 17 was chosen to commemorate the decision to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990.
The City of Ballarat has been raising the Pride flag for IDAHOBIT since 2017.
2024
Flag raising and afternoon tea
In 2024, the Progress Pride Flag flew proudly over the Town Hall all day, and we held an afternoon tea at the Ballarat Central Library.
Speakers included Cr Belinda Coates and proud Narungga woman with Celtic ancestral ties, local artist and activist Sarah Jane Hall.
2023
Flag raising and afternoon tea
In 2023, we had a flag raising and afternoon tea.
Speakers included Cr Des Hudson, Cr Amy Johnson and local LGBTIQA+ woman Katherine Cape.
"How to get Published" writing workshop with Jasper Peach
In 2023, we also presented a workshop with local writer Jasper Peach on how to get your work published.
Family zine workshop with Jasper Peach
Join author Jasper Peach for a Family Zine workshop. Families can be biological, logical, a mix or both - and sometimes something else entirely! All families are valid and have their defining elements. Come with your family, solo or with a friend and have a go making the story of your team come to life on the page.
2022
Rainbow Hearts flag, flag raising and afternoon tea
in 2022, IDAHOBIT was marked with a flag raising ceremony with speeches from City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney (he/him) and representatives from community groups and organisations.
The ceremony was followed by a community event at the Ballarat Library which had an LGBTIQA+ musician playing, supper, and interactive workshops.
Launch of the Rainbow Hearts flag
A Rainbow Hearts flag was also unveiled which had been hand-crafted at four community workshops run by City of Ballarat Youth Facilitators at the Ballarat and Sebastopol libraries in April and May.
More than 850 hearts were joined together to create the display in support of diversity in love.
Trans and Gender Diverse Clothing Swap
As part of our 2022 IDAHOBIT celebrations, we had the Ballarat Trans and Gender Diverse Clothing Swap at Sebastopol Library.
2021
Flag raising and morning tea
In 2021, we had a flag raising and morning tea.
Speakers included Cr Daniel Moloney, Cr Belinda Coates and proud Narungga woman with Celtic ancestral ties, local artist and activist Sarah Jane Hall.
2020
Virtual flag raising
In 2020, due to Covid, we had a virtual flag raising.
You can click on the image or use this link to see the video: https://fb.watch/tlubwt_SYY/
2019
Flag raising and afternoon tea
In 2019, we had a flag raising and afternoon tea.
All Of The Things
In collaboration with a number of youth organisations around Ballarat, we hosted All Of The Things at the Central Library. This included craft activities, food, guest speakers and the unique opportunity to be part of a community conversation podcast
2018
Flag raising and morning tea
In 2018, we had a flag raising and morning tea.
2017
Flag raising and morning tea
In 2017, we had a flag raising and morning tea.
IDAHOBIT day long celebration at the library
Our central library hosted a day long celebration for IDAHBOT 2016, including Rainbow Storytime, a rainbow lunch, PRIDE wall, children’s craft activities, launch of a local LGBTIQA+ writers group – Wrainbow Writers and Ballarat sQribblers,
Free screening of Moonlight
At night, the library screened a free film, Moonlight.
2016
Flag raising
The City of Ballarat first raised the flag for IDAHOBIT in 2016 and has continued to do so each year since.
Pictured: Cr Vicki Coltman, Koby Bunney from Equal Love Ballarat, Deputy Mayor, Cr Belinda Coates, and the Member for Wendouree, Sharon Knight.
Community lunch and other activities
In 2016, the Ballarat Libraries celebrated IDAHOBIT Ballarat Library with a community lunch, film screening and other activities during the day.
Support from local basketball teams
RUSH and MINER basketball players wore rainbow socks to show their support for IDAHOBIT at the Minerdome.