Wednesday, 17 May 2023

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Equality) (12:04): I rise today in my role as Minister for Equality to talk about IDAHOBIT. Today is the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia. IDAHOBIT is a day of celebration. It is a day of pride, of connection and of resistance. It is a day that our rainbow Victorian communities, and indeed around Australia and the world, come together along with our allies to celebrate how far we have come but also to acknowledge how much work there is still left to do. Whether you are an LGBTIQ+ person or an ally, today we stand together. The recent attacks on our rights as LGBTIQ+ people have shown us why days like IDAHOBIT are so important. Days like today show the bigots that we will always be stronger and prouder than their hate. Days like today show that in visibility, in dignity and in wellbeing, inclusion and connection there is pride.

This morning I was delighted to host an IDAHOBIT event here at Parliament: story time. Three drag performers read stories to little ones and their families, attended in a room full of members of Parliament from here and the other place from across our chambers. This was an opportunity to come together across the political divide to share our commitment to making sure that LGBTIQ+ people like us are celebrated, acknowledged, seen and respected. Today and every day I acknowledge, I see, I respect and I commit to doing the best by our LGBTIQ+ communities. In every way and on every day we stand with you, because equality is not negotiable.