This Thursday 17 May, people the world over will stand against discrimination in support of the LGBTIQ+ community for IDAHOBIT – the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia.
IDAHOBIT is an opportunity for our university community to focus on issues of discrimination, celebrate progress to date and reflect on how we can build a more inclusive culture for all staff and students at Macquarie.
To mark the occasion and on the 40th year since the first Sydney Mardi Gras, this Thursday the Macquarie Queer Collective will host a special ‘78ers’ panel event, featuring five of the courageous equality advocates whose protest march in 1978 led to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras we know today.
The panel discussion will provide an insight into the history, evolution and ongoing journey towards equality of the LGBTIQ+ community here in Sydney, from the perspectives of these stalwarts of LGBTIQ+ activism. Make sure to register for this one-off event, as seats are limited and filling fast.
To support equality and inclusion for our LGBTIQ+ staff at Macquarie, the MQ Workplace Diversity and Inclusion team leads a range of initiatives. Our sexual and gender diversity webpage has information and useful resources including a downloadable guideline for staff who wish to transition and their managers and colleagues. There is also a guide to unisex and gender-neutral bathrooms on campus, fact sheets and interesting videos to promote understanding of LGBTIQ+ issues, and links to support services available to LGBTIQ+ staff both on campus and externally.
One of those support options that is entirely made up of Macquarie staff and students is the Macquarie Ally Network. These committed members of our community have completed a short training workshop that enables them to provide confidential support for our LGBTIQ+ staff and students and they can offer advice on where to find further help in times of need. Allies are trained to be active bystanders and to call out discrimination, to make the Macquarie community inclusive and welcoming to all.
We are always looking for new Allies and run regular training workshops. Should you want to contact an Ally of if you’d like to learn more about how to join the Ally Network visit the Ally Network webpage or email lauren.dillon@mq.edu.au. We would love to hear from you.
The 78ers panel event will be held from 12-1pm on Thursday, to attend register here.
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