IDAHOBIT in Merri-bek 2024

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia in Merri-bek!

Merri-bek City Council and Merri Health invite you to join us for this special IDAHOBIT event featuring:

Nevo Zisin
Budi Sudarto 
Danielle Laidley
and hosted by Sasja Sÿdek

This Q & A event will unpack equality, freedom and justice as we explore systems and barriers in our communites, so that we can end all forms of discrimination faced by LGBTIQA+ people.

RSVP essential.

Light refreshments provided.

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What is IDAHOBIT?
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex people, and all of those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

May 17 is a significant date as it commemorates the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder - this is only 33 years ago.

IDAHOBIT is a global day of action and a call to inspect, resolve and end all forms of discrimination faced by LGBTIQA+ communities.

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Our guest speakers

Nevo Zisin (they/them) is a storyteller, esteemed educator on transgender topics, TEDx speaker, poet, workshop facilitator in schools and workplaces, and award-winning author of Finding Nevo and The Pronoun Lowdown. Their work explores queerness, collective healing and liberation, mutual aid as a mycelial network of connection, reclamation of transgender divinity, making mistakes and creating a practice of failure. Their identity exists in the breaths between the words they use and their greatest accomplishments in life beyond anything, is their friendships.

Budi Sudarto (they/them) has been an active member of Melbourne's lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) community since their arrival to Australia in 1998. Budi has a professional experience as a sexual health educator, a peer facilitator, a community educator, and a researcher. 

Danielle Laidley (she/her) After a successful AFL playing and coaching career, Danielle Laidley is now leading the way in educating all on both transgender issues and the importance of diversity acceptance.

Our host for the evening: Sasja Sÿdek (she/her) 

Sasja, is an indigenous Singaporean trans woman of colour based in Narrm/Melbourne, is a passionate activist and advocate for the transgender community. Sasja, a co-founder of Trans Sisters United, passionately champions equality through her unwavering dedication to fairness and human rights, tirelessly combating violence against trans women while leading the not-for-profit organisation in developing initiatives supporting transgender women, non-binary individuals, and women through advocacy, education, and community partnerships. Sasja has made significant contributions to two books "Nothing To Hide - Voices of Trans & Gender Diverse of Australia", and Transgender Australia A History Since 1910. Sasja is a recognised personality in television and radio, hosting "Trans Fabulous" on Channel 31. Her outstanding contributions as a radio presenter and producer at “Queering The Air” on 3CR 855am has been recognised with multiple awards. Furthermore, she is also a presenter at “Everybody Eats” on Joy 94.9fm. Sasja unwavering commitment to equality stems from her strong belief in equity and human rights and she encourages others to break free from societal and gender expectations to live authentically.

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Do you have access requirements?
If we can assist to make this event accessible and enjoyable for you please contact: communityconnection@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

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This event is proudly presented by Merri-bek City Council and Merri Health on the unceded land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin nation. Merri-bek pays our respect to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledges that sovereignty was never ceded.