People can use art or written words to express their support for the international day against LGBTQIA+ discrimination, IDAHOBIT, as part of a Surf Coast Shire Council rainbow tree project.
As part of Council's adopted awareness raising events calendar, community members are being invited to decorate paper leaves which will be used to create tree artworks for display at key locations across the shire, providing tangible and inspiring shows of allyship.
The trees will be unveiled as part of a community event on 15 May which will include raising of the rainbow pride flag outside Council's Torquay office.
IDAHOBIT, 17 May, marks the anniversary of World Health Organisation removal of homosexuality from its classification of diseases, and now stands against LGBTQIA+ discrimination and celebrates advancement of LGBTQIA+ equality.
The rainbow tree project is underway with distribution of paper leaves to community organisations including community houses. People can also register to participate via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/IDAHOBIT
Council flies the rainbow flag in accordance with its flag policy and events calendar for the entire month of May in recognition of IDAHOBIT.
Mayor Mike Bodsworth will complete a ceremonial raising of the flag on 15 May in advance recognition of the day.
"The flag raising is always a joyous event and I am looking forward to being joined by community members dressed in rainbow colours as we show support for our rainbow community and stand against LGBTQIA+ discrimination," Mayor Bodsworth said.
"Unveiling of the rainbow trees following the flag ceremony will add an expressive dimension to our recognition of IDAHOBIT, and I encourage community members to add their voices by illustrating paper leaves.
"And while IDAHOBIT might be recognised one day of the year, we also recognise our commitment to standing against LGBTQIA+ discrimination year-round."
The Minus18 Foundation reports that despite recent advances, in 2025 discrimination still exists:
- Two in three LGBTQIA+ young people experience abuse due to their identity.
- 35 per cent of LGBTQIA+ Australians have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months.
- 68 per cent of LGBTQIA+ employees are not out to everyone at their workplaces.
Raising of the rainbow pride flag will be at 10am outside Council's Torquay office, 1 Merrijig Drive, on 15 May, followed by unveiling and display of the rainbow trees and morning tea in Council's chambers.
Find more information via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/IDAHOBIT
