Leading LGBTIQ health organisations in NSW have been awarded grants to support annual community events held to combat ongoing violence and discrimination across the country.

ACON Health Limited has awarded eleven grants of $500 to community groups and organisations for the sixth consecutive year. The grants will be used to increase awareness of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17.

ACON CEO, Nicholas Parkhill, said IDAHBOIT events are vital in ensuring visibility for the LGBTIQ communities in metropolitan and regional areas across Australia.

“We were excited to see a diverse range of applications for IDAHOBIT events this year and the grants committee was pleased to see a variety of events for all our communities, all centred on celebrating our amazing allies,” Parkhill said.

IDAHOBIT will commemorate the 1990 decision to remove homosexuality from the World Health Organisation’s Classification of Diseases. Among the activities are community picnics and community safety workshops.

A recent poll from The Greens indicated nearly 80 per cent of Australians oppose religious school’s freedom to discriminate against LGBTIQ people. They have called for stronger anti-discrimination laws in the lead up to IDAHOBIT.

Greens Justice spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim, said, “Australia needs to strengthen anti-discrimination laws, not weaken them.”

Parkhill said commemorating IDAHOBIT is a way for the community to promote social inclusion and unity. The ‘Alliance for Solidarity’ theme will provide an opportunity to acknowledge those who have supported the LGBTIQ community.

“IDAHOBIT is a great opportunity to bring together our communities to celebrate inclusion and diversity, as well as undertake activities that promote good mental health and well-being.”

In the lead up to May 17, an IDAHOBIT campaign and event has been developed by the Stronger Together Alliance, a working group compromised of community, health and advocacy organisations. Members of the alliance also include Positive Life NSW, HIV/AIDS Legal Centre and Rainbow Families.

“It’s vital to have visibility for our communities wherever they are, as LGBTIQ people need to know they have safe places to be themselves and to feel celebrated for their identities,” Parkhill said.

“ACON is proud to work with our partners in celebrating the rich diversity of our vibrant communities in NSW. By raising visibility, we hope to continue to address discrimination and work towards fostering an inclusive society that is healthier for us all.”