17 May 2023 marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) which is celebrated globally to raise awareness for the work still needed to be done to combat the violence and discrimination facing this community.
IDAHOBIT is a day that encourages us to support members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and gender diverse and intersex communities.
This year's theme for IDAHOBIT is Together Always: United in Diversity!
We have curated a list of speakers that we are able to connect with your organization to deliver a presentation that supports and emphasizes the importance of gender and sexual diversity.
To engage with one of our speakers for your IDAHOBIT event, contact our expert team on 1300 799 823 or enquire here.
NEVO ZISIN
Nevo Zisin (they/them) is a storyteller, esteemed educator on transgender topics, TEDx speaker, poet, workshop facilitator in schools and workplaces, and award-winning author of Finding Nevo, a memoir on gender transition and The Pronoun Lowdown a useful guidebook on all things related to pronouns.
They have been in conversation with Queer Eye’s brilliant Jonathan Van Ness, Transparent producer Zackary Drucker & world-famous spoken-word poet & activist Alok Vaid-Menon.
Their work has appeared in The Saturday Paper, NGV Magazine, Archer Magazine, Buzzfeed, Junkee, SBS, Hack Live, ABC’s The Drum, and The Morning Show, amongst others. They were a 2022 Varuna Scribe Fellow and are an ambassador for both Wear It Purple and the Victorian Pride Centre.
LUCY THOMAS
After building their career tackling bullying, Lucy’s life was fundamentally changed when she became the target of an extended pattern of bullying herself. Instead of hiding away, Lucy took this as a call to connect with even young Aussies and launch herself into advocating for their LGBTIQA+ community. Lucy has since wrapped these personal learnings into their widely received TEDx talk, Kindness: The ultimate rebellion against bullying.
Lucy is a mighty force of kindness, equipped with the precious ability to engage young people to generate positive social change creatively.
FAUSTINA AGOLLEY
Faustina Agolley, affectionally called Fuzzy, has enjoyed a career of over 15 years across Broadcast Television, Music, Djing, Writing, and Theatre. She's a proud Black and Asian gay Australian of Ghanaian and Chinese-Malaysian heritage.
Faustina began her career interviewing her idols like Alicia Keys to then icons-in-the making like Adele, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga while bringing joy to Australian homes on Video Hits.
She's also co-hosted The Voice and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. She openly speaks and writes about queer matters, queer life and overcoming her own mental health struggles for Women of Letters, ABC, Netflix Pause, and Huffington Post.
NADINE CHAMPION
Nadine Champion is a credit to the human spirit and the power of the mind. Her own personal success story of martial arts success and recovery from cancer is inspiring and contains valuable lessons for us all. She encourages people to "change their thinking" to adapt to the situation they are faced with.
Nadine Champion is a powerhouse speaker who proudly promotes acceptance and support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Her career as an out gay athlete (as quite literally a fighter for equality), helped to raise awareness of the LGBT+ community. Whether discussing Equity and Belonging or the importance of Inclusion, Nadine champions corporate Diversity with her proud commitment to Representation.
CHYLOE KURDAS
Chyloe has always been a woman on a mission, intent on making her mark in history and investing in the future of others. One of the first women to play on the MCG, Chyloe has been a key figure in establishing the AFLW and female engagement in traditionally male-dominated sports having also recently been appointed to work with Golf Australia.
Chyloe is driven by creating a community within a world where life can be tough. Her mission is to create a community that is really supportive, one that is totally inclusive and serves its people, so we can all thrive. There is such value in supporting each other through our own journeys.
YASMIN LONDON
Yasmin London is an in-demand communication powerhouse whose mission is to equip people with the skills and knowledge to ensure technology enhances their modern-day lives, rather than detracts from it.
Yasmin London is the Executive Director of ySafe, Australia's largest online safety education organization. Yasmin ignites social change through education and courageous conversations. Yasmin regularly speaks at large-scale events and conferences and consults for governments, schools, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations. Aside from being widely recognized as Australia’s ‘Dancing Cop’, she’s also written for Kidspot and appears on Channel 9 Today and the Weekend Today Show providing advice for Australians on online safety and positive technology management.
BRIHONY DAWSON
Brihony Dawson (they/them) is Australia’s most prominent non-binary keynote speaker, television host and MC. They’re passionate about gender diversity and visibility in sports, entertainment and corporate environments. Brihony’s unique journey has seen them connect with people from all walks of life. From selling cars to hanging with rockstars, Brihony’s charisma and inner magic make everyone feel like the most important person in the room.
BROOKE BLURTON
Regarded as one of Western Australia’s most prominent Young Aboriginal people, Brooke Blurton is making a real difference in the lives of people experiencing mental health issues. A strong resilient Noongar-Yamatji woman, Brooke’s own childhood was marred by tragedy having lost her mother to suicide, and drug and alcohol abuse occurring in her family. Brooke grew up determined to help young people who might be dealing with similar issues.
In 2021 Brooke broke ground as the Australian Bachelorette and was the first Bi-Sexual and First Nations Woman in the show's history to take on this role.
IAN ROBERTS
Ian Roberts is an actor, activist and professional sporting identity.
He played Rugby League at the club level, in the NSW State of Origin squad, and on the national team, the Kangaroos. In 1995, at the height of his career, he publicly came out as a gay man. Internationally Ian was the second high-profile sportsman in a professional team game to come out while playing, and the first in Australia.
Ian has a specialisation in elite athlete wellbeing management and works across sectors promoting wellbeing, positive masculinity and inclusion.
JOANNA JJ FERRARI
JoAnna Ferrari or “JJ” as she prefers to be called had the kind of professional and personal life we all dream of. Then the dream ended and the nightmare began when she openly told the world about starting her gender transition.
JJ recalls, “Once I began my transition, my world exploded. Reality hit quickly and I realized, it was going to be a treacherous trek with no map, no guides, no support, and no going back.” JJ had to start life and career completely over. The lessons she used to survive in her new life are what she now feels an obligation to teach others so they can survive and succeed at their own lives and businesses.
Today JJ is happy in life and has again become a well-respected business coach, transition/performance consultant, requested keynote speaker, and author.
MOANA HOPE
A powerhouse of Women's Football, Moana Hope is one of AFLW's most recognizable figures.
A star junior, Moana competed against the older women from a very young age, honing her craft to become one of the VFLW's most damaging forwards, including a 100-goal season for the St Kilda Sharks before the launch of the AFLW.
Her focus has shifted to starting her own family with her wife, Isabella Carlstrom, continuing to look after her sister, Vinny, who lives with the rare neurological condition Moebius syndrome, as well as running a successful Traffic Management Company.
Moana has a tremendous story full of adversity, success, and breaking down stereotypes.
JASON BALL
Jason Ball is the 2017 Young Australian of the Year for Victoria, best known as the pioneering LGBTQI+ advocate who in 2012 became the first male Aussie Rules footballer at any level of the game to publicly come out as gay in the national media. Jason used this platform to launch a campaign to challenge homophobia in sports and drive cultural change within the AFL.
Since taking that stand, Jason has become a national figurehead in combating homophobia in sports and highlighting the damaging impact of discrimination on the mental health and well-being of the LGBTQI+ community.
