THE community gathered in the Greater Hamilton Library forecourt on Tuesday afternoon to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) in an event organised by the Southern Grampians Shire Council.

The event celebrated IDAHOBIT Day and announced the new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Agender (LGBTQIA+) Youth Social Group, YUMCHA Hamilton - a program created by Council, Brophy Family and Youth Services, and Wellways.

YUMCHA Hamilton will officially launch on Monday to offer a safe and relaxing space for young people to be empowered to create a better community for those who are diverse in sexual orientation and gender identity.

The aim of the program is to create a place for people aged 12-25 years old, who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their allies, to connect and engage socially in a welcoming and safe environment.

The IDAHOBIT Day event consisted of speeches by Southern Grampians Shire Council chief executive, Tony Doyle, Southern Grampians Shire counsellor, Helen Henry, and Brophy Family and Youth Services school focused youth services coordinator, Michelle Winnell, with an afternoon tea and pronoun badge making activity.

Council chief executive, Tony Doyle, said IDAHOBIT Day was “a very important day” on the annual calendar and he was proud to see the rainbow flag flying for the whole community to see. 

“We’re here today to acknowledge the importance of LGBTQIA+ people in our community, but also acknowledge the discrimination that’s done so much damage to people in our community, and raise awareness about that,” he said.

“We’re very proudly flying that flag here all week … so as you drive past and walk past you can look at it and feel great that we are flying it.”

Cr Henry said she was proud to be part of the local IDAHOBIT Day celebrations to spread a message of inclusivity and diversity.  

“I want to grow visibility, to educate on inclusion, and activate change that will see a safer, more diverse, and more equitable society,” she said.

“We’re a strong community here in Southern Grampians but only if everyone belongs and is valued for who they are without fear and judgement.

“Diversity is a strength; conversely - monoculturalism, hypermasculinity, gendered judgements, discrimination based on sexual orientation, and a lack of understanding that we are all human at our core undermine not only how I feel about this area, but much worse, has serious negative consequences on the social and emotional wellbeing of our fellow residents.”

Brophy Family and Youth Services school focused youth services coordinator, Michelle Winnell, said she was excited to announce the launch of YUMCHA to provide a safe environment for the local LGBTQIA+ community and their allies.

“Together we can all help to build a stronger community of inclusion where everyone is supported, connected, and celebrated,” she said.

“We are here because we want to see our communities, our nation, and our world embrace kindness, connectedness, and belonging, which is all about being inclusive.”

IDAHOBIT Day is celebrated on May 17 each year to recognise the anniversary of the World Health Organization removing homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems in 1990.

For more information on YUMCHA Hamilton, please contact the Southern Grampians Shire Council.