2020 Country Page – Australia

For LGBTIQA+ people:

If you’re missing your usual IDAHOBIT schedule, City of Banyule are livestreaming their flag raising, running a storytime, and hosting an exhibition in the evening. Learn about these events at their website here. You can also watch City of Yarra’s flag raising and participate in a trivia session with Art Simone here, and stay tuned for their youth IDAHOBIT art zine!

If you have opinions about the movies you’re watching in isolation and want to talk about them on video, hop on the Melbourne Queer Film Festival’s Couch Critic here and tell them all about why Top Gun is gay (we already know this one, you’ll have to get more creative than that).

Tilde, Melbourne’s Trans and Gender Diverse Film Festival, is returning early with an Autumn Pyjama Party Movie night here. Grab some snacks, put on something comfy and tune-in for some of tilde’s favourite trans and gender-diverse cinema!

Are you passionate about the arts? Safe in the Southwest’s IDAHOBIT Community Grants have enabled the digital exhibition of Iuventus, a collection of powerful, haunting, and sometimes playful photo collages by Connor Ovenden-Shaw about youth, gender, sexuality, and growing up in rural Victoria. The show is hosted digitally by The F Project Arts in Warrnambool, and you can check it out here.

If you want to make some of your own art and are 12-25 in the Moonee Valley, Valley Youth are hosting a free online watercolour workshop where materials will be delivered to your house! Participate in Paint The Rainbow with Rainbow Valley here.

If you’re keen to hop on a hashtag, Access Health and Community, headspace Hawthorn and Boroondara Youth want you to #showusyourrainbow by taking a photo of something decorated with a rainbow and tagging them on Facebook or Instagram. You can also email #showusyourrainbow photos to Cobaw Health here, who are teaming up with Macedon Ranges Shire Council to celebrate IDAHOBIT in their council area.

If you’re pumped about the new changes to Victorian birth certificate legislation, you can learn about changing your gender marker at Victoria Law Foundation’s webinar here! You can also access community grants to help you change your name and gender marker with Transgender Victoria here.

If you’re more interested in action this IDAHOBIT, hear about how COVID-19 is affecting the LGBTIQA+ community and talk about how to fix things with Switchboard Victoria. Their lunchtime discussion on Staying Well Together is here, and will feature community advocates, experts, and Mama Alto!

Lastly, if you want to take five minutes to talk about how COVID-19 has affected you, you can do the Equality Australia survey here, which will help them direct their advocacy to where our community hurts most.

For professionals:

It’s not too late to swap your Zoom background to something festive—there are Minus18 designs for it here, or get creative! Once that’s done, get your professional development hours ticked off while learning about LGBTIQA+ inclusion from the best in the game.

Check out YEP’s IDAHOBIT webinar here, or Minus18’s How To Support LGBTIQA+ People At Work webinar here. If you’re a teacher or a school worker, get your school onboard and check out Minus18’s Inclusive Classrooms webinar here.

It’s also never too late to do a virtual office whip-round and embody the spirit of Breaking The Silence by donating to an organisation that supports extra-marginalised LGBTIQA+ people like Black Rainbow, Intersex Human Rights, Rainbow To Refuge, or mental health hotline Switchboard.

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Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ Basketball team Bushrangers brings stories from their members every day of the week ahead of May 17

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Access Health and Community, headspace Hawthorn and Boroondara Youth Services are teaming up on our social media platforms to celebrate IDAHOBIT day. We have created a hashtag #RainbowsofBoroondara to show our support to the LGBTIQA+ community. We are inviting young people and their community to show us your rainbow by taking an image with something decorated with rainbows (flags, the sidewalk, a pen, a poster, a mug, a pet – the possibilities are endless) and use the hashtag #RainbowsofBoroondara so we can find your posts!

We will be spotlighting supports and resources for LGBTIQA+ young people on our social media platforms for 7 days leading up to IDAHOBIT day. To find us and tag us be sure to be following us on our social media platforms.

#RainbowsofBoroondara #IDAHOBIT2020

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This weekend is huge for the our queer communities with IDAHOBiT 2020 the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial both on the same day with virtual events + all the other virtual things we have going on, so lets dive into ‘What’s on this weekend’ for your streaming #LGBTIQA+ entertainment and education as heard on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on JOY 94.9.

For starters, you can catch me all weekend at Fed Squares Virtual Square where you can do a trivia, drag up in iso or catch Dean Arcuri – DEANation Community Darling Segments as seen on Kerrie & Dolly‘s House Party!

FRIDAY

At 10am join Betty Grumble for a Grumble Boogie, as you connect with your body and soul through movement : https://www.facebook.com/GrumbleBoogie/

From 11am Minus18 are hosting an IDAHOBIT Conversation Café in conjunction with RMIT, as they speak to a few Minus18 LGBTQIA+ youth crew (and current RMIT students!) about the importance of IDAHOBIT and how to celebrate the diversity of the community : https://www.facebook.com/events/631720440745097/

At 12pm on Friday Switchboard Victoria host online via ZOOM chat and their facebook page, Staying Well Together, conversations with esteemed guest Dr. Ilan Meyer, in a lunch time discussion on how the LGBTIQ+ community is dealing with isolation while continuing to promote strong mental health and community resilience during COVID19. : http://www.switchboard.org.au/events/

Then from 1pm Minus 18 will be hosting a Supporting LGBTIQ+ people at work livestream training in a professional development seminar that’s not a taster, its Minus18’s full-blown, renowned LGBTIQ+ inclusion professional training, and so important for any workplace : https://www.facebook.com/events/1940155242785776/

Diamond’s Drag Queen Storytime fun for the whole family from 1pm on the QNews Facebook Page, fun for the whole family – https://www.facebook.com/QNewsMag/

From 1:30pm catch The Lunchtime Lockdown with Penny Tration and Dan Murphy on DJ Dan Murphy’s Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/DJDanMurphy/

Leasa Mann has you covered from 5:30pm with drinking with wigs on her facebook page, why not pop something on your head, pour yourself a cuppa and say hey : https://www.facebook.com/leasamann

From 7pm join Veruska Darling for the next instalment of LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX via Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/VerushkaDarling

Tilde Melbourne are hosting an Autumn Pyjama Party Movie Night at 7:30pm on Friday, streaming three short Australian films and a selection of tele-documentaries from previous tilde festivals, you can find all the details at : https://www.tildemelbourne.com

Geelong Piano Bar keeps the ivories tingling and the tunes don’t stop Friiday evening so join in and sing along : https://www.facebook.com/pianobargeelong

DJ Argonaut hits the decks on SFriday night for another live stream, this time with Downunder Diva’s in the mix. From 7-9pm he will be spinning up a set of nothing but the female icons of Australian dance, pop and club tunes that he likes to call Downunder Divas
: https://www.facebook.com/events/547973822814973/

Every week Melbourne Rubber have been highlighting a member of their community to the world via their Instagram in isolation, this Friday at 8pm it’s the latex peach, and then join them for a shiny community chat on Zoom afterwards where they will play a round or two of Celebrity Gimp: https://www.instagram.com/melbournerubber/?hl=en

RUBYtube brings the tunes straight to you, we might not be able to leave the house, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dance the night away to the best of trance. Let the stay-at-home house party commence from 8pm at https://vimeo.com/event/32992

Who could forget Vau d’vile Drag Cabaret Restaurant hosting Fabulash Fridays with the Vixens : https://www.facebook.com/events/548826812681865/

Get your Friday Fix of Penny Tration with Frightful Fridays (and while you’re at it join the Traition in Isolation Facebook group) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/500461847526488/

From 8pm join ISODISCO presented by DJ DOM DE SOUSA and get the party started at your place. Great evening non-stop music mixes with DJ Dom de Sousa, live from his home : https://www.facebook.com/groups/529427557743468/permalink/544870566199167/

Get your groove on with Heaps Gay & Create or Die with Loud N Queer TV from 8pm, a Live Streamed Party In your Lounge room featuring live queer music, performance art, weird stuff, random chats and more : https://www.facebook.com/pg/heapsgayparties/events/?ref=page_internal

It wouldn’t be a Friday without Lance DeBoyle and Gabriella Labucci on Lance TV Ballarat from 9pm on Facebook and Channel 31 – who will this weeks guest be? : https://www.facebook.com/LanceTVBallarat/

And don’t miss Lexi Gaga Live in her Livingroom on instagram from 9:30pm on Friday night : https://www.instagram.com/lexigags/

Saturday

Saturdays Dummond Streets Services Queerspace hosts a free online excises program in partnership with Fearless Movement Collective, which you can access on their facebook page whenever you like. To help you put the physical into your physically distancing and get your body moving in the space, speed and comfort you need in your own home.

At 12pm say hi to comedian Lisa-Skye over at her Instagram & facebook page as she gives us the Nooner we have always wanted – with a different guest every edition: https://www.facebook.com/thelisaskye/

Saturday at 2pm QNews and Dr Fiona Bisshop host a DocQ live chat about HIV and STI’s, isn’t this a great time to get tested and treated for anything – then we can step out of isolation with better knowledge about what’s going on in our bodies : https://www.facebook.com/QNewsMag/

Then also at 2pm join Annie Depressant on her instagram live feed for some Drag Queen Storytime : https://www.instagram.com/annie_depressant/?hl=en

Minus18 are hosting a fabulous digital events to help young LGBTIQA+ people stay connected and active while physically distancing, and during IDAHOBIT that’s no different with a fabulous queeer history lesson via Zoom with the fabulous Mama Alto
: https://www.instagram.com/minus18youth/

Saturday from 5pm Dean Arcuri hosts a special Eurovision version of his cheeky trivia Trivial Hirsute, where everyone is welcome to play from the comfort of their own home some afternoon fun, details can be found at deanarcuri.com/trivia

Here’s something different for your Saturday Night, Darlingurst Life Drawing are hosting something saucier, teaming up with top chefs and foodie and arts faves to offer a unique package with Dinner & Doodles : https://www.facebook.com/events/2733534283439746/

Settle into Saturday nights your way with Piano Bar Geelong – Saturday Night Party. join entertainers Andy Pobjoy & Joss Russell for a Saturday night Party playing all your party tunes by request – perhaps some Copa Cabana: https://www.facebook.com/pianobargeelong/

Sure we can’t get on a plane but on Saturday from 7pm you can get your kink on with an international kink crawl via zoom, connecting Kinky aussies with their world wide communities : https://www.facebook.com/events/255637855560929/

Get ready for a camp time with Stonewall Hotel for Stonewall Live as the iconic Oxford St venue gives you your dose of camp from home
: https://www.stonewall.live

The fabulous Vixens from Vau d’vile Drag Cabaret Restaurant are hosting Saturdays with the Vixens : https://www.facebook.com/vaudvile/

Tia Maria is back on Saturday night preforming ten songs for our entertainment from 9pm from her very own home, see it all on their Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/62pjbarrett/about

RUBYtube lets you dance the night away to the best of trance. Let the stay-at-home house party commence from 8pm at https://vimeo.com/event/32992
Pride of our Footscray Community Bar aren’t just spreading pride in the west, but all around thanks to PRIDE LIVE with Bathsheeba and MAX via Twitch : https://www.facebook.com/events/858104281261708/?event_time_id=858104287928374

Penny Tration SHIFTS IT BACK on Saturdays with classic numbers from The Midnight Shift and the campary we deserve : https://www.facebook.com/genderbenderbingo/

Why not get into some DraggieOke with Dakota Fann’ee from 8pm : https://www.facebook.com/Draggieoke/

Cooped-Up Cabaret is back this Saturday from 8pm with featuring a tasty selection of performers from all over Australia and the world, doing burlesque in their backyards, magic in their kitchen and more : https://www.facebook.com/events/198072748296249/

Followed with a Coped-Up Cabaret After Party from 10pm thanks to Blankë Pop bringing neon love direct to yoru bedroom 😉 : https://www.facebook.com/events/267977501045550/

From 9pm every Saturday join POOF DOOF for POOF DOOF LIVE with tunes and entertainment for all to enjoy to the wee hours of the morn : https://www.facebook.com/PoofDoof/?ref=br_rs

Sunday

At 10am join Betty Grumble for a Grumble Boogie, as you connect with your body and soul through movement : https://www.facebook.com/GrumbleBoogie/

From 10am align your chakra with nude mens yoga online, find a new way of looking at your own body, inspiring you to take pride and pleasure in your unique physique and capabilities. : https://www.facebook.com/events/1024951044567454/?event_time_id=1024951054567453

At 12pm the South Coast Inclusion Network are raising a rainbow flag in Wonthaggi, outside Mitchell House and will be Live Streaming it to their facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/events/755054551696736/

From 12pm catch up with Bae Lamour via Facebook and Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/baelamourqueen/?hl=en

For anyone looking for an LGBTIQA affirming church community, Fitzroy North Community Church are holding zoom meetings every Sunday, sing a longs, prayer, and social nights. This space is fully affirming and safe. The FB group is private, but people could be added to the Fitzroy North Community Church website : https://fitzroynorthchurch.org.au

From 1pm Sunday Thorne Harbour Health have teamed up with Creative Circles Art Therapy to create a patchwork masterpiece where you can create your own 20x20cm square and decorate it however you feel inspired, these patches will be brought together and create a hanging visual which will display the collective stories from the community. With a special workshop who want some extra inspo with creating their patch you can check out a zoom link via the Thorne Harbour Health event : https://www.facebook.com/events/861823407662591/

From 1pm Sunday why not join Polly Filla live with ‘In Bed with my Doona’ a camp drag brunch without even leaving the house :
https://www.facebook.com/PollyFillaDrag

ENN dives onto the decks and streams from 1pm with Colada Sundays till 6pm, why not tune in for an arvo boogie:
https://www.facebook.com/ennmusic/

Get your Sungay fix with SUNGAYS at 2pm, 4 DJs all in one spot on twitch :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/850964015405920/

The House of Mince brings you Sunday sessions to dance your afternoon away via twitch on MINCE TV – with DJs from all around the Globe spinning tunes for you to sashay to :
https://www.facebook.com/events/2268780056760944/

All the Queens Men’s Digital Dance Club returns this Sunday from 4pm, with Yana Alana for your entertainment, plus connecting with your rainbow community from all around the world and shacking the iso blues away : https://www.facebook.com/events/829123864249962/?event_time_id=848720322290316

At 5pm Sunday Living Positive Victoria hosts the Melbourne 2020 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial via live stream in the safety and comfort of your homes. Come together as we join organisations worldwide to raise HIV awareness and remember the friends and family we have lost to AIDS, along with all people who continue to live with HIV. Acknowledge the role of those who have passed in guiding us, advocating for us and supporting us in the fight against HIV. We also recognise that it is from their work we can look forward to a better world : https://livingpositivevictoria.org.au/…/on-the-shoulders-o…/

From 5pm join BM Heels on their facebook page for WIG OUT SUNDAYS : https://www.facebook.com/BM.HEELS/

From 5:30pm, Geelong Rainbow Inc and Piano Bar Geelong invite you to celebrate IDAHOBIT with one hour of rainbow power including performances from, Art Simone, Passion Couture and more : https://www.facebook.com/events/3038658672881587/

DJ Kate Munroe will be hitting the decks from 5pm on their twitch with a dancetastic mix of music for all of us to enjoy : https://www.twitch.tv/mskatemonroe

The Laird Hotel are hosting Sunday Social Isolation via ZOOM from 5pm, where you can have a chat and catch up with mates from the comfort of your own home. Details on the Facebook Page :
https://www.facebook.com/lairdmelbourne/

6:30pm DJ Dan Murphyv& Minnie Coopervdive into the previous days Drag Race ep with superfans Michael Whelan and Leasa Mann :vhttps://www.facebook.com/DJDanMurphy/

Sunday evening have never been more fun with Pitch Please streaming live camptastic drag shows from their talented performers right to your device :
https://www.facebook.com/pianobargeelong/

Join multi-format performing DJ and vocalist
Lauren Neko
for a 2 hour DJ mix in a rainbow/UV setting every Sunday from 7pm :
https://www.facebook.com/LAURENNEKO/

Say hey to Greg Gouldvat 8pm with another fabulous live stream featuring brand new music, celebrity interviews and :
https://www.facebook.com/greggouldmusic/

From 8pm join #ISODISCO presented by DJ DOM DE SOUSA and get the party started at your place. Great evening non-stop music mixes with DJ Dom de Sousa, live from his home : https://www.facebook.com/groups/529427557743468/permalink/544870566199167/

At 8:30pm the exceptional Kiki Myndacrutch
’s facebook page for some adult story time :
https://www.facebook.com/kiki.myndacrutch

I love seeing this list get bigger and bigger every week, but I’m sure there’s plenty I miss – if I have, why not let me know and let’s keep the connections and entertainment going, while physically distancing.

Even though we are isolated, doesn’t mean you can’t have a queertastic time connecting to your communities.

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Event: “Waves: Strengths That Bind Us” – Planet Ally, Melbourne, Australia
Direction: One of our Planet Ally (Australia) Directors, Amao Leota Lu is a performance artist and so we will be releasing a poem she wrote about IDAHABIT/COVID-19/isolation. 
Quote graphic and video to follow.
Date: May 17
Time: noon AEST
Info: Poem and quote graphic will be released online.