Join Council and Mildura Pride in raising the Rainbow Flag

Published on 14 May 2018

Mildura Rural City Council and Mildura Pride will raise the Rainbow Flag this week to increase awareness about the disturbing rates of discrimination still experienced by LGBTIQ people in the community.

The Rainbow Flag raising event is part of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which was created to highlight the violence and discrimination targeted at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer people across the globe.

Mildura’s Rainbow Flag raising event will be held at the Langtree Avenue connection at 11.30am this Thursday.

Councillor for Community Development and Gender Equality Ali Cupper encouraged Sunraysia residents to support the event.

“When you look at the statistics in terms of abuse, bullying, discrimination and depression experienced by the LGBTIQ community, this is something that needs to change,” Cr Cupper said.

“We can do that by speaking up and challenging discriminatory language and behaviours, educating ourselves about the experiences of LGBTIQ people and celebrating diversity.

“The more people we can get to events like this week’s Rainbow Flag raising, the more publicity we can attract and the louder the message that this discrimination is simply not acceptable.”

According to a national study, 75 per cent of LGBTIQ people experience some form of discrimination, 61 per cent experience verbal abuse and 19 per cent experience physical bullying.

Depression rates are also significantly higher among the LGBTIQ community - 24.4 per cent of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, and 36.2 per cent of trans-Australians suffer depression. This compares to just 6.8 per cent of the general population.

“These concerning statistics obviously impact on residents’ mental health and general well-being, making it important for the community to come out and acknowledge this important day, which will help keep the issue in the spotlight,” Cr Cupper said.

“It’s also a chance to show our support and respect for LGBTIQ residents in our community.”

Council’s support of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is part of a broader commitment to support Mildura Pride and the region’s LGBTIQ community plan to ensure our community is safe, inclusive and respectful of gender and sexual diversity.

For more information contact Council’s Social Inclusion Officer Catherine Thompson on (03) 5018 8100 or catherine.thompson@mildura.vic.gov.au.

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au