IDAHOBIT

Join our 2025 celebration

People can use art or written words to express their support for the international day against LGBTQIA+ discrimination, IDAHOBIT, as part of our 2025 rainbow tree project.

Community members are being invited to decorate paper leaves which will be used to create tree artworks for display at key locations across the shire, providing tangible and inspiring shows of allyship.

The trees will be unveiled as part of a community event on 15 May which will include raising of the rainbow pride flag outside Council’s Torquay office.

IDAHOBIT, 17 May, marks the anniversary of World Health Organisation removal of homosexuality from its classification of diseases, and now stands against LGBTQIA+ discrimination and celebrates advancement of LGBTQIA+ equality.

The rainbow tree project is underway with distribution of paper leaves to community organisations including community houses. People can also register to participate, and to attend the IDAHOBIT ceremony via https://events.humanitix.com/surf-coast-shire-council-idahobit-day

Rainbow pride flag raising

Community members are invited to dress in rainbow colours and attend the rainbow pride flag raising ceremony starting at 10am on 15 May beside Council’s civic building, 1 Merrijig Drive Torquay. The flag raising will be followed by unveiling and display of the rainbow trees, with morning tea, in Council’s chambers.

Council flies the rainbow flag for the entire month of May in recognition of IDAHOBIT.

Support services

If you or someone you know is seeking support relevant to LGBTQIA+ people, their families and friends, please contact one of the national support services:

• Qlife — Australia-wide anonymous and free LGBTI peer support for people wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Call 1800 184 527 or webchat at qlife.org.au (3pm-12am AEST).
• Minus 18 — Resources help and guidance for Australia's LGBTIQ youth.
• LGBTIQ+ Health Australia — The national peak health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on LGBTIQ+ people and communities.
• Black Rainbow — Australia's leading Indigenous suicide prevention and mental health support source for LGBTQ+ people.
• PFLAG Australia — A national organisation that supports parents and families of LGBTQIA+ children of all ages.
• Trans Pride Australia — Social and support group for trans and gender diverse people and their loved ones.
• Transcend Australia — National peer support network and community for parents and carers supporting their trans, gender diverse and non-binary child in Australia.
• Intersex Peer Support — An intersex peer support, information and advocacy group for people born with variations in sex characteristics.
• Intersex Human Rights Australia — Support and education by and for people with intersex variation traits.
• Australian Asexuals — A place to connect with the Australian asexual community and find out more about asexuality.

Support services listing is courtesy of Respect 2040.

When

Location

Council office, 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay, View Map