b'Marking IDAHOBITWear it Purple DayAround Uniting we came together and joinedOn Wear It Purple Day in August each year, we others in the community to celebrate Internationalwrap our arms around LGBTIQ+ young people in Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexismour services, our families, and our communities and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) Day on 17 Mayto celebrate the diversity that is rainbow youth. 2022. Members from our Mission and Equity teamWe boldly make visible our support to help young attended the Dorothy Awards in Tasmania - thepeople know that no matter what challenges they premier awards for LGBTIQ+ inclusivity. Theface, there is always hope, support and a million awards were named after Rev Dorothy McRae- possibilities awaiting them.McMahon, who grew up on Tasmanias westHere, Holly Gleeson-Payne, a volunteer with our coast and went on to become a leading figure inemergency relief service in Prahran shared her the Uniting Church and one of Australias mostthoughts on Wear It Purple Day:respected members of LGBTIQ+ communities.Our Diversity Project team in SheppartonToday hits home for me. As a teenager I was one celebrated IDAHOBIT Day at an event hosted of many young people experiencing alienation and by GoTafe. IDAHOBIT is something we strive formental health issues linked to my queer identity. every day, as we champion inclusion across theI spent my teenage years in Singapore, one of 70 region. Many local leaders attended to show plus countries where LGBTIQ+ people are still their support for the value of our work. criminalised. It warms my heart to see Wear It Purple Day being celebrated, and awareness being raised by individuals and organisations like Uniting. Midsumma Pride March I am so proud to be part of the Uniting culture of We were honoured and proud to marchdiversity and inclusion.alongside young people from our family services at the annual 2022 Midsumma Pride March.Find out moreUnapologetically themselves, seen, accepted, loved, celebrated and represented - everyone was excited to be marching with pride for a future we believe in. This was the third year running that we have participated in the Midsumma Pride Marchin Melbourne.I think being a part of the LGBTIQ+ community is a blessing as it brings so many like-minded individuals together with a sense of fellowship. Midsumma Pride March is a time for those ofus in the community and our allies to reconnectafter being separated by the pandemic andshow our support not just today but for every day of the year, says Adham Hussain, a Uniting employee member who attended the Midsumma Pride March.Uniting Vic.Tas Annual Report 2021-2022 41'