May 17th marks the anniversary of when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, thirty-one years ago in 1990.

Yet, LGBTQIA+ people still face significant stigma, prejudice and discrimination in society, and higher rates of abuse and violence, which puts them at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, self-harm and suicidal ideation.

Intersex individuals are still subjected to unnecessary medical interventions, often without informed consent (or any consent at all) at the hands of medical practitioners that consider intersex variations “disorders of sex development” which need to be “fixed” or “normalised”.

It was only in 2019 that being transgender stopped being considered a mental illness (much like homosexuality was considered previously) by WHO, yet still, transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse people continue to be the targets of hostility and their identities dismissed as nothing more than manifestations of ‘mental illness’.

Lesbian, gay and bisexual+ individuals are still being subjected to “Gay Conversion Therapy”, a dangerous form of pseudoscience to “cure” them of their sexuality, and still face prevailing myths and misconceptions related to their sexual orientations.

Asexual+ people are still subjected to being seen as having a sexual dysfunction, rather than a legitimate sexual orientation.

ALBANY PRIDE are observing IDAHOBIT today in order to raise awareness of the various forms of Queerphobia that significantly impact the lives of LGBTQIA+ people.

Our lives, and our health, matter. Our sexualities, gender identities and/or intersex status are not disorders, they are realities. Just as importantly, though, we must celebrate ourselves and our achievements without shame.

We hope you will join us in raising Pride Flags wherever you are and showing support for the LGBTQIA+ community!

ALBANY PRIDE is, as continues to be, an inclusive organisation, for and to, the full spectrum of people within the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.

If you are struggling, there is help available:

Lifeline:
13 11 14

Youth Line:
1800 198 313

beyondblue:
1300 224 636

Mental Health Emergency Response Line:
1300 555 788 (Metro)
1800 676 822 (Peel)
1800 552 002 (Country/Rurallink)