Brophy Family and Youth Services chief executive Francis Broekman says IDAHOBIT Day is a celebration of inclusion but also a “very clear call” to end LGBTQIA+ discrimination.
Mr Broekman spoke as a rainbow flag was raised by Warrnambool City Council mayor Vicki Jellie on Tuesday at the Civic Green.
It was part of a wider celebration of the day in the south-west, which included a Warrnambool College fundraiser in which all proceeds went to YUMCHA Brophy. There was then a showcase of Australia’s best emerging LGBTQIA+ short films, popcorn and pizza at the Warrnambool library before the Archie Graham centre was lit up on Tuesday night.
Mr Broekman, who spoke after Ms Jellie and Warrnambool City Council chief executive Peter Schneider, urged organisations to welcome the Embracing Equality Charter.
“IDAHOBIT day is a day which celebrates our diversity to create inclusion for all,” he said.
“It is dedicated to creating an equitable and inclusive community, where all people are valued and supported.
“We’re here today because we want to see our communities, our nation and the world embrace kindness, connectedness, belonging, which is all about being inclusive.”
Tuesday marked each local government area on Gunditjmara land raising the rainbow flag in a major sign of respect for the cause.
Mr Broekman said Brophy recognised the strength and resilience within the transgender, gender diverse and non-binary communities.
Visit https://www.idahobit.org.au/ for more information.