IDAHOBIT: IEU Chapter Materials
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) will be held on 17 May 2024.
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 on May 17 to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
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.
IEU represents:
In March of this year, IEUA-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********@ie****.au