Raised with pride

By Lachlan Ellis

The Rainbow Flag has been raised at Moorabool Shire Council’s offices on IDAHOBIT Day for the first time, with a flag raising ceremony held last week.
Held by Council at its Ballan office at 10am on Wednesday 17 May, commemorating this year’s IDAHOBIT Day, which stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

The date of 17 May was chosen for IDAHOBIT Day as it coincides with the World Health Organisation’s decision to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases in 1990.

Around 50 people attended the event, including Moorabool Shire Councillors Mayor Rod Ward, Deputy Mayor Ally Munari, Central Ward Councillor Paul Tatchell, East Moorabool Ward Councillor Tonia Dudzik, and Federal MP for Hawke Sam Rae.

The Rainbow Flag, along with the Australian Flag and Aboriginal Flag, had to be raised at half-mast due to the State Funeral of Anthony Staley AO, held on the same day – but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd, with a triumphant cry of “hurrah” as the Rainbow Flag was finally raised.

Mayor Cr Rod Ward said it was a special day.

“It’s very exciting, Moorabool is a growing, diverse community, and we’re all about inclusion. We want to make sure everyone feels welcome in the Moorabool Shire,” he told the Moorabool News.

“That’s important in all formats, whether it’s race, religion, or sexuality. Today’s an exciting day, it’s the first time Moorabool Shire has raised the Rainbow Flag and celebrated IDAHOBIT Day.

“It’s a very positive step, and we’ll continue to work with the community to recognise this day, and celebrate it in ways that they consider could be fitting.”

The flying of the Rainbow Flag was made possible by the passing of a new Flag Flying Policy at Council’s 5 October Ordinary Meeting last year, which also allows for community members or organisations to apply to Council to have flags other than those regularly flown at Council’s offices flown.

Every other Victorian council also flew the Rainbow Flag on IDAHOBIT Day – making Victoria the first jurisdiction in the world where every council has flown the flag to mark IDAHOBIT Day.