IDAHOBIT Afternoon Tea 2021
In 2021, Monash University celebrated IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia) Week from 17-23 May. To support this initiative the Monash Residential Services (MRS) Diversity and Inclusion Committee themed their Tackling Tuesday* Facebook post around raising awareness of the challenges and triumphs faced by our LGBTQIA+ Community and outlined how residents can act to bring about positive change within and beyond our residential community.
In addition, the MRS Diversity and Inclusion Committee invited the entire community to join an IDAHOBIT Afternoon Tea Party hosted on Saturday 22 May. The event was held in the Turner Hall courtyard and consisted of a range of activities designed to raise awareness of IDAHOBIT, celebrate our LGBTQIA+ Community and seek voluntary donations for Black Rainbow. The event was a great success and the various activities focused on the theme Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing.
The Afternoon tea included the following activities:
- creating and decorating items for the Midsumma Pride March that was held on Sunday 23 May
- painting personal expression titles
- informative posters outlining the history of fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights
- writing on the pledge board to show support
- offering support and resource material (on and off-campus)
- lots of rainbow-themed food to acknowledge the diversity within the LGBTQIA+ community
The MRS community managed to raise $60 for Black Rainbow a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Sistergirl and Brotherboy (LGBQTI+SB) organisation. The prizes purchased for the event were also sourced so they would support the LGBTQIA+ Community.
*Tackling Tuesday: a weekly Facebook post focused on tackling a specific topic and further educating the MRS community.