International Lesbian Day, held on October 8, is a day for lesbians the world over to come together to celebrate lesbian history, diversity and culture.

Recognised annually, the day gives an opportunity for women, families and friends to connect, celebrate and also raise awareness about the importance of community. Although the exact origin of the day remains uncertain, it almost certainly began in Australia/New Zealand. Some say the day began in 1980 when a Lesbian Day March was held in New Zealand. The first Australian event was held at the Collingwood Town Hall in Melbourne on October 13, 1990.

It featured musicians, market stalls and readings during the afternoon. Following that, the women held a dance with live bands later in the evening. Melbourne lesbians then celebrated the day on or around October 8 for the next several years. In recent years lesbians encourage the community to either get together or show support by donating to charities supporting lesbian women. International Lesbian Day is all-inclusive. It’s a day to be shared by lesbians and also allies of lesbian rights.

10 October 2021 is World Mental Health Day and provides a unique opportunity to shine a light on mental health within our communities. Today we honour those of us impacted by mental health and call on our stakeholders to talk openly and honestly about mental health issues and what needs to be done to address these worldwide.

World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the unique stress that minorities can face in society as well as the lack of systematic protective factors afforded to those within the LGBTIQ+ community. We also honour the strength of our community and of our organisation to work at a political and community level to address mental health issues.

#WorldMentalHealthDay

URL/website link to external news?:

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2021

Intersex Awareness Day is an internationally observed awareness day designed to highlight human rights issues faced by intersex people.

Intersex Day of Remembrance, also known as Intersex Solidarity Day, is an internationally observed civil awareness day designed to highlight issues faced by intersex people.

The week before Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, people and organizations around the country participate in Transgender Awareness Week to help raise the visibility of transgender people and address issues members of the community face.

Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester's death, and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year. It raises awareness across the world and in the community about the issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. It is a day for people to show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year.

IDPwD is a United Nations observed day celebrated internationally. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.

The Australian Government has been supporting IDPwD since 1996 and provides funds to promote and raise awareness of the day around Australia.

Information on how you can get involved in the day as an individual or organisation and how to break down barriers (both structural and attitudinal) for people with disability can be found at www.idpwd.com.au.

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is observed annually on December 17 by sex workers, advocates, friends, families and allies. Originally conceived as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle Washington, United States (US), it has evolved into an annual international event. The day calls attention to violence and hate crimes committed against sex workers worldwide, as well as the need to remove the social stigma and discrimination that have contributed to violence against sex workers