Echuca College celebrated IDAHOBIT (International day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia) on May 17 with a wear a rainbow accessory day.
Students and staff were encouraged to wear a rainbow accessory like shoelaces, hair band, beanie, scarf, bracelets or other accessory and the canteen also supported the day with rainbow cupcakes.
IDAHOBIT is held to celebrate how many challenges the LGBTQIA+ community has overcome, while highlighting the discrimination they still face.
Students from the school’s Pride Club also made rainbow ribbon pins for the day for those who wanted to show their support but weren’t able to bring a rainbow accessory.
Echuca College is a registered safe school and has run Pride Club over the last few years, providing a space one lunchtime a week for LGBTQIA+ students and their allies to engage with their community, as well as discuss ideas for further awareness or issues they are facing as a community.
Last year the Pride Club made its own pride flag which is now on display in the school gym and is working this year to further its efforts to increase visibility for its community within the school.
This term Echuca College has also initiated an ally network to further the supports available for the LGBTQIA+ students.
The staff involved completed training to improve their understanding and ability to support the students and staff with creating more inclusive classrooms and a more inclusive school.
With at least one ally network member in each community, LGBTQIA+ students are able to easily access this resource.
The school’s safe school leader is also working with the council and other community groups to support LGBTQIA+ youth in the wider community.