Queen’s Gardens to turn rainbow

By Nicola Ceccato

May 9, 2023

Colourful: Greater Shepparton City Council’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia event will take place on Wednesday, May 17 at the Queen’s Gardens. Photo by Megan Fisher

On Wednesday, May 17, the Queen’s Gardens in Shepparton will be dotted with all the colours of the rainbow in acknowledgement of equality for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

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Community members are invited to bring their lunch to the event and enjoy the free activities, games and guest speakers, and watch the raising of the rainbow flag.

This event comes as part of a key initiative of the Greater Shepparton LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee Action Plan, which aims to work with the community to recognise and celebrate key cause days such as pride days of celebration and IDAHOBIT.

LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee councillor representative and chair Sam Spinks said the event held an important meaning for many in the community.

“IDAHOBIT is the anniversary of May 17, 1990 when the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases,” Cr Spinks said.

“The purpose of IDAHOBIT is to celebrate the progress made since then, while also raising awareness for the discrimination that LGBTIQA+ people still face.

“I encourage community members to come along to the Queen’s Gardens and join in the IDAHOBIT Day activities. The event can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Mayor Shane Sali said council was proud to have a strong relationship with the LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee.

“Council is pleased to be hosting this event for the first time, which is a result of the great working relationship council has with the LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee,” Cr Sali said.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with them on more projects and events in the future.”