Council
9 April, 2026
Shire set to take pride for the first time
NOORAT is set to host Corangamite Shire’s first ever celebration for IDAHOBIT Day – the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia.
The day, which has been held since 2005, marks the anniversary of May 17, 1990, when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases.
IDAHOBIT Day is about promoting LGBTQIA+ acceptance and inclusion, celebrating diversity of community and making sure everyone feels safe and respected.
The event will be held at the Noorat Primary School from 12noon on Sunday, May 17.
There will be food vans and entertainment including drag bingo and stiletto throwing.
The occasion is important for young people living in rural areas, where support services can be harder to access and LGBTQIA+ young people can feel more isolated.
Isolation, stigma and discrimination can have harmful impacts on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ people – especially young people.
Local ally and writer Frances Shingles-Byrant said inclusion and support for regional youth was important.
“Speaking as an ally, and someone who has strongly supported the LGBTQIA+ community my whole adult life, I believe days such as IDAHOBIT are an important tool in creating awareness of the ongoing issues this community still face, over and above the ‘usual’ issues the cis community face on a daily basis,” she said.
“As a writer I’d also like to highlight the power of words, ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me’ is a saying we’re all familiar with, but that’s not necessarily the case.
“Having knowledge of the harm our words can cause is a basic starting point in the discussion, addressing each other with care and respect is an important part of moving towards a kinder, caring and inclusive community.”
For more information, contact TMHS’s Health Promotion department on 5592 0399
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