Flag raising for IDAHOBIT Day

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies came together at two ceremonies raising the pride flag on IDAHOBIT Day in Warragul.
The West Gippsland Healthcare Group held the two flag raising ceremonies at the West Gippsland Hospital and the Allied and Community Health Centre on Friday morning.
IDAHOBIT stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
Hosting the flag raising ceremony at the hospital, WGHG chief executive officer Dan Weeks welcomed everyone attending.
"Today, we celebrate IDAHOBIT as part of our commitment to create a place where everyone belongs" Mr Weeks said.
"There is still more work for us to do in creating a space where LGBTQIA+ people belong. This is an ongoing process, and we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone."
Mr Weeks said creating a place where everyone belongs takes more than a single day, urging those gathered to join him in "the continuation of our journey in LGBTQIA+ inclusion as well as inclusion more broadly".
Special guest Sally Conning, a member of the Community Voices committee and Gippsland LGBTIQA+ elder, joined staff in the cafeteria to share rainbow-themed items and resources.
WGHG said the day was aimed at educating people and raising awareness for the work still needed to combat LGBTQIA+ discrimination.
"We celebrate the rich diversity of people within our organisation and are taking action to build inclusion in our work every day," Mr Weeks said.
"Whether you are LGBTQIA+ or an ally, or just someone seeking to learn and grow, be bold, be fun, be dramatic, but above all else, be kind to yourself and others, always."