IDAHOBIT 2026: Get involved and stand against discrimination
Sunday 17 May is International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
IDAHOBIT marks the anniversary of when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases. This global event promotes awareness, acceptance and standing against discrimination faced by the LGBTIQA+ community.
At Deakin, we are committed to creating a place where LGBTIQA+ people feel included, have a deep sense of belonging and can thrive in their chosen paths.
Find out ways you can get involved in IDAHOBIT or support for LGBTIQA+ family, friends, colleagues and community.
Why is IDAHOBIT important?
While rights and inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual and pansexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and aromantic (LGBTIQA+) people have come a long way in Australia, LGBTIQA+ people and communities still continue to face varying and intersectional forms of exclusion, harassment and discrimination.
In Australia 1 in 3 young people still experience harassment because of their sexuality or gender identity. In workplaces, LGBTIQA+ employees are less likely to be out at work compared to 5 years ago.
Internationally, according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner, private, consensual same-sex relationships are still criminalised in over 60 countries.
Get involved in IDAHOBIT 2026 and LGBTIQA+ inclusion at Deakin
Do you know what you can do on a day-to-day basis to actively show support to LGBTIQA+ students and colleagues?
- Sharing your own pronouns helps other people know how to refer to you when they’re not using your name. It can also be a great springboard for education and action when it comes to gender diversity. If you’re comfortable, include your pronouns in your email signature, Teams, and Zoom. You can also let other people know your pronouns when you introduce yourself. Find a handy video guide to pronouns, including what they are and why they matter, on pronouns.org.
- Check out Deakin’s Active Allyship Guide for more information about LGBTIQA+ identities and how to actively support inclusion and respect.
- Join our Deakin Pride Network, a member-led network, designed to provide community, social support, and a safe and welcoming space for LGBTIQA+ staff, students and allies. Register via the Microsoft form or email respectbelongthrive@deakin.edu.au.
- Deakin’s Equity and Inclusion division offer training for staff and students to help you learn more and build your skills in how to help foster an inclusive work and study environment for all. For more information and upcoming training offerings, get in touch with us!
- Connect through a DUSA club:
- Deakin Pride; Queer Society (Burwood) is a club for LGBTIQA+, Queer or Questioning students and allies to meet and socialise.
- Deakin Geelong Queer Collective is here to run a safe, inclusive and social group for anyone who identifies as either LGBTIQA+ or an Ally.
IDAHOBIT events
Events will be running throughout the week of IDAHOBIT.
- See what’s on at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda.
- Attend an event in your local area. Many local councils across Victoria host or promote flag raising ceremonies, events and activities in celebration of IDAHOBIT and to raise awareness for work still needed to combat discrimination against LGBTIQA+ communities. Find your local council here and visit their website for information on IDAHOBIT events. Some events include:
- IDAHOBIT yoga for those who identify as LGBTIQA+, their friends and allies with the City of Boroondara.
- An IDAHOBIT allyship in action workshop with Banyule City Council in partnership with QueerTown and Yarra Plenty Regional Library.
- Raising the Pride Flag, morning tea and guest speaker Anastasia Le, a trans woman of Vietnamese heritage with lived experience of forced displacement with Manningham Council.
- Rainbow flag raising ceremony, morning tea in Torquay with the Surf Coast Shire Council.
Where to get support
Support services at Deakin:
- Deakin offers a range of health and wellbeing support services.
- Harassment Discrimination Contact Officers (HDCOs) are trained staff who assist with enquiries related to discrimination, harassment or bullying.
- Safer Community is a free, confidential support service for those who experience concerning, threatening, inappropriate or uncomfortable behaviour.
- Visit a queer room on campus at Burwood (Building C, ground floor) or Waurn Ponds (Building JB, Waurn Ponds).
- All-gender toilet locations are available on all campuses.
External support services:
- Lifeline 13 11 14 is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
- Switchboard Victoria is a community based not for profit organisation that provides peer driven support services for the LGBTIQA+ community, their allies, friends and families.
- QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referrals for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
- queerspace is an LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing support service (operating in the north-west metropolitan region of Victoria) with a focus on relationships, families, parenting and young people.
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