{"id":3682,"date":"2025-05-15T09:32:52","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T23:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/?p=3682"},"modified":"2025-05-16T08:31:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T22:31:13","slug":"from-pain-to-pride-a-powerful-reflection-on-why-idahobit-still-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/from-pain-to-pride-a-powerful-reflection-on-why-idahobit-still-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"From pain to pride: a powerful reflection on why IDAHOBIT still matters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout block_e1708208303aac2d716881c016722bd6 custom-wysiwyg blog-wysiwyg\" >\r\n        \r\n        <h4><strong><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW194713933 BCX8\">This Saturday (17 May) is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW194713933 BCX8\">, and Transphobia <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW194713933 BCX8\">(IDAHOBIT). T<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW194713933 BCX8\">o mark the occasion, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW194713933 BCX8\">Ry Kidd has written the following reflection. <\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><em><strong><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW194713933 BCX8\">Content warning<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW194713933 BCX8\">: <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW194713933 BCX8\">this story discusses topics related to discrimination, bullying, homophobia and transphobia, which may be distressing to some readers. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, consider seeking support from a trusted person or professional resources.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I grew up in a small country town in Gippsland during the 80s and 90s. It was not a place to be different, and from an early age it was obvious I was not like other boys. I was quieter, more emotional, softer. I was in primary school the first time I was called gay, and even though I didn\u2019t know what it meant, I knew it was an insult.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In high school the bullying intensified to multiple times a day, I had \u201cfag\u201d written on my locker, called a \u201cfaggot\u201d and told I\u2019d die of AIDS amongst other forms of verbal abuse. Every day I was told that I was wrong, evil, that I didn\u2019t deserve to live. I never felt safe. While I was told not to let it affect me, \u201cwater off a duck\u2019s back\u201d, it seeps into you, and I began to believe there was something wrong with me. That who I was, wasn\u2019t OK.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I was fortunate to have allies during this time. I had a loving family, some friends who supported me and a group of teachers that would rally around me to make sure I was OK. If it was not for their support, I doubt I would have made it through.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I live with the mental scars of the bullying every day, however thanks to love, support and a great therapist, I\u2019m able to appreciate who I am today. I love the fact that I\u2019m gentle, empathetic and compassionate. The parts of me I was once bullied for are now my favourite attributes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;Inclusion is simply appreciating each other for who they are and treating each other with dignity and respect.&#8221;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For me, inclusion is not a buzz word or a workplace policy. It\u2019s about appreciating and respecting our common humanity. Underneath the labels, we\u2019re all just humans, trying to make our way in the world. Inclusion is simply appreciating each other for who they are and treating each other with dignity and respect.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If the world was perfect, we wouldn\u2019t have to fight to be accepted for who we are; fight to be given equal rights. We wouldn\u2019t have to constantly put ourselves out there, to explain who we are and why we deserve to be treated as human beings, to ask, or even beg to be given respect.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. It is still illegal to be homosexual in 64 countries, punishable by death in some. Trans people are being used as political pawns (for the second election in a row in Australia), being outlawed from playing sports, having what bathroom they use scrutinised and criticised. Medical professionals treating youth with dysmorphia are being targeted, their morals and ethics questioned. The very rights the community fought so hard for in the decades I\u2019ve been alive are under threat.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whether you are part of the LGBTIQA+ community, an ally, or even ambivalent to the cause, it is important to call out discrimination, homophobia, transphobia and ensure the people in your life know you love and support them today and every day. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ry is Melba&#8217;s Authorised Program and Reporting Officer<\/strong><\/p>\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Saturday 17 May is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). To mark the occasion, Ry Kidd has written a moving reflection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":3705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>From pain to pride: a powerful reflection on why IDAHOBIT still matters | Melba Support Services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Saturday 17 May is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). 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