Gippsland › Latest news › Wellington Local News

Sale and Yarram in Wellington Shire raise pride flag in support for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia

Wellington Shire Council flew the rainbow pride flag at locations in Sale and Yarram on Tuesday to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

By news@gippsland - 17th May 2022 - Back to News

The flag was flown at the Raglan Street roundabout in Sale and Yarram Memorial Park as the council joined cities and towns from across the globe, including other Gippsland councils, to mark the day. The day celebrates LGBTIQA+ people globally, and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye and chief executive David Morcom at the Raglan Street roundabout in Sale, where the rainbow flag was flown to support IDAHOBIT

Up against discrimination

Wellington Shire Council chief executive David Morcom said the council was proud to support IDAHOBIT. "Wellington Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer. Our people and the community are at the heart of everything we do. Organisations who do not promote and celebrate diversity among their workforce are missing out, it just makes sense."

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye said flying the flag was a way for council to stand up against the discrimination that still exists in the community. "As an organisation we are saying not only to our wider Wellington community, but also to our own employees, that we support LGBTIQA+ people."

Acknowledging diversity

Cr Bye also said, "It's important that while we embrace and celebrate the LGBTIQA+ people who make up our diverse community, we also have to acknowledge that homophobia, biphobia and transphobia still exist. This type of discrimination has a devastating impact on the entire community and council is saying this is not ok."

The day was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTIQA+ people, with 17 May chosen to commemorate the World Health Organisation's decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. For LGBTIQA+ people requiring support, council encourages the use of networks such as Switchboard Victoria.

Pictures from Wellington Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com