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IDAHOBIT: IEU Chapter Materials

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) will be held on 17 May. As the day falls on a Saturday this year, we are encouraging members to participate in IDAHOBIT activities on Monday, 19 May 2025.

There is only a very short time to order your IDAHOBIT day pack HERE so we can send it to you as soon as possible. 

Although there have been some significant wins and milestones for the LGBTQIA+ community in recent years, the unfortunate reality is that there is still work to do.

LGBTQIA+ people in Australia today still experience disproportionate rates of bullying, harassment and discrimination, with two in three LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing abuse due to their identity and 35% of LGBTQIA+ Australians reporting verbal abuse within the past twelve months.

Last year, 97% of IDAHOBIT activity organisers reported that commemorating the day contributed to ongoing positive change in their schools and workplaces.

IEU members are wearing IDAHOBIT stickers and displaying posters to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Engage in Education

One of the most important ways of fighting discrimination is through education. There’s a lot to understand about LGBTQIA+ inclusion and identities, and IDAHOBIT is the perfect time to learn.

Usually, the simplest ideas are the most effective, especially if this is your first time hosting an activity. And especially if you’re the one doing the organising! We know that often, IDAHOBIT activities are championed by one passionate individual, so we recommend starting simple.

Resources for IEU members

Get Started at School

No matter whether your IDAHOBIT activity is big or small, going rainbow at school creates vital LGBTQIA+ awareness, inclusion, and visibility.

Think about what already works well at your school, or about what’s worked well in the past for other similar days. Then add some rainbows! Remember, while IDAHOBIT is on May 17, it’s not out of the ordinary to host an IDAHOBIT activity anytime during May.

In planning your events, please consider the unique nature of your workplace and make use of existing guidelines and policies if permission is usually required.

Share your moments:

Please share any photographs of your collective actions of support with our communications team via co************@********rg.au

Download our IDAHOBIT poster to display in your classroom or staffroom here.

Why IDAHOBIT is important:  

Every person has inherent dignity and value.  Human rights help us to recognise and respect this in ourselves and in each other.

The first IDAHOBIT was held in 2005 and is today acknowledged by millions of people globally. While IDAHOBIT has evolved over these years, the purpose remains the same – celebrate the progress we have made while also raising awareness for the discrimination that LGBTQIA+ people still face today.

What is allyship:

An ally is someone who takes action to support and advocate for the equal treatment of a community other than their own – especially when it’s challenging or uncomfortable to do so.  If you don’t experience LGBTQIA+ discrimination yourself, then you’re in a unique and powerful position to use your voice to create a safe and welcoming environment for others who do.

 Click here to read more about allyship on the IDAHOBIT website.

IEU represents:

IEU-QNT made a submission to the Queensland Human Rights Commission regarding the Exposure Draft of the Anti-Discrimination Bill 2024.

Exemptions do currently exist for particular entities, including faith-based schools, to discriminate against employees in certain circumstances. Our union believes that schools do not need these exemptions to operate effectively, and that staff should not be discriminated against on the basis of their personal lives.

Our submission included specific, focussed attention to the matter of religious discrimination exemptions and the crucial importance of protections for staff and students in the non-government sector.

Under the federal Sex Discrimination Act, it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their sexuality or relationship status.

Protections also exist under the Queensland Anti-discrimination Act and Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Act.

For individual members concerned about discrimination at work, our union’s industrial team is available to provide confidential advice and support, in alignment with our union’s belief that LGBTQIA+ members are entitled to safe workplaces, free from discrimination.

To get in touch with our union’s industrial team, phone 1800 177 938 or email in********@********rg.au