This year, Crown Princess Mary addressed the IDAHOT Forum in Denmark, London City Hall raised the rainbow flag, Genoa turned its fountains pink, Cuba had a street parade, Pakistan a panel discussion, Albania a bike (P)ride) and Argentina danced a special tango. It all happened on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), held on May 17.
But while celebrations are big in Europe and Latin America, this internationally recognised day hasn’t struck a chord with Australians. This year, across the nation school children held cake sales, while some government departments in some states made an effort to raise awareness. Hardly the stuff to invigorate public awareness. Perhaps the day needs to be adapted in a way that’s relevant to Australians, and perhaps we’ve seen the first steps in that direction with the event Move In May, which happened in Melbourne this year.
How do you attract the attention of Aussies to such a day? You enlist the help of Australian Rules footy players for a start! Angie Greene, Move In May, organiser did just that and the event took place on Sunday May 22 with a fun run around the famous Tan (Botanical Gardens) track, followed by a celebration of food and music.
“I was inspired to create Move In May because of IDAHOT, which is such an important and symbolic day in our history,” says Angie. “I’ve seen it being heavily celebrated in Europe and parts of America, but couldn’t understand why there was no significant large-scale event to support it here in Australia.
“We wanted to create an event that was for all people – regardless of sexuality or gender. In my experience, the straight community, which I’m part of, needs to do a lot more in terms of actively showing their support for equality and inclusion. We do not gain equality without all people, from all communities coming together.”