“It’s about familiarity. We often fear things we don’t know or don’t understand and if we have more visibility on more days like this, then it allows more people to get to know our community and know we are a part of the bigger community.”
Deb Chumbley is the president of Goulburn Valley Pride and a part of Greater Shepparton City Council’s LBGTIQ+ Advisory Committee.
Deb also identifies as a cisgendered lesbian and understands first hand that when it comes to days like the upcoming International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, known as IDAHOBIT, on Wednesday, May 17, it’s all about visibility.
“The day is all about anti-discrimination; no-one should live with discrimination, and we should be free of it, but it still lives in the community,” Deb said.
“Increasing visibility and acceptance and reducing stigma on days like these, means we have more say for inclusive spaces for people to be the best versions of themselves.”
Deb has been out to her family and close friends since her late 20s, but only out publicly for the past five years.
“The day is all about anti-discrimination; no-one should live with discrimination, and we should be free of it, but it still lives in the community.”
“I didn’t come out to myself until I was an adult and that was a direct result of stigma and knowing how much negativity there was in the world to a point where I was homophobic because that’s how I was brought up and it was internalised,” Deb said.
“I spent a lot of years hating myself before I came to a point where I could accept who I was and be proud to live that truth.”
Though Deb says things have improved over time, discrimination and stigma about the LBGTIQ+ community is still present.
“There’s been lots of changes in the laws and lots of recognition in same-sex relationships,” Deb said.
“There’s still big gaps, particularly for our trans-diverse communities, where there’s still a stigma, and we’re still quite backyards in how we address those inequalities.
“My hope for the future is that young people won’t grow up like we did, and they’ll grow up to be their best selves through their lives and not be held back, trying to be something they’re not.”
Taking a step in that direction is Greater Shepparton City Council, alongside other Victorian councils.
For the first time, all 79 Victorian councils will be raising the rainbow pride flag for IDAHOBIT on Wednesday May 17.
Victoria is not just the first state in Australia to do this, it is also the first jurisdiction across the world to raise the flag on this day.
This has been brought about thanks to the passionate campaigning of Rainbow Local Government, a campaign co-ordinated by the Victorian Pride Lobby, which petitioned for this to happen.
This is a significant step towards visibility for the LBGTIQ+ community and a sign of support from Victorian councils.
Cr Sam Spinks is the LBGTIQ+ Advisory Committee councillor representative and chair, and is helping organise the IDAHOBIT event at Queens Garden where the flag will be raised.
As a bisexual cisgendered woman, being a part of organising this day holds a special significance for Cr Spinks.
“It really means a lot to me,” Cr Spinks said.
“I attended the first IDAHOBIT as an ally; even then it was so important as an ally because you go to these events and feel how important it is and how visible the flag is.
“When I came out a few years ago, it took a whole new meaning; like I personally identified with that flag.”
Cr Spinks hopes that this event will encourage others in the community to feel comfortable to be who they are.
“It’s important to send the message that this is a place where you are safe to be exactly who you are and explore who you are with the grace and community around you supporting and loving you,” Cr Spinks said.
“We have community members that are just finding themselves and want to grow up feeling safe and loved to be who they are, and we have a responsibility to make sure our community is safe for everyone.”