Narelda Jacobs reflected on her experiences of racism, homophobia and discrimination in her keynote address. Image credit: Marziya Mohammedali.
Over 100 people gathered at Edith Cowan University's (ECU) City Campus on Friday 15 May for the inaugural IDAHOBIT Lecture, a partnership event between ECU and Rainbow Futures WA (RFWA) exploring the role of LGBTIQA+ First Nations advocacy, research and community leadership in creating meaningful change.
Held at The Playhouse Theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), the event marked International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), recognised globally on 17 May each year.
The evening brought together researchers, community advocates, students, staff and members of the wider community for an important conversation about the experiences of LGBTIQA+ and First Nations people in Western Australia and the work still needed to ensure safety and inclusion for all.
The evening began with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Dot Bagshaw, a Noongar Elder involved with Pride Yarns, an intergenerational program from the Walkern Katatjin research project led by ECU's Kurongkurl Katitjin.
Minister for Disability Services and ECU Alum Hon Hannah Beazley MLA then delivered a Ministerial Address reflecting on ongoing LGBTIQA+ discrimination, the significance of Western Australia's LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy 2025-2035, and the importance of continued advocacy, safety and inclusion for LGBTIQA+ communities across the state.
The keynote address was delivered by proud Whadjuk Noongar journalist, ECU Alum, RFWA Patron Narelda Jacobs, who reflected on her experiences of racism, homophobia and discrimination throughout her life.
Narelda Jacobs speaking on stage at The Playhouse Theatre at ECU City. Image credit: Marziya Mohammedali.
A graduate of WAAPA's broadcasting course and recipient of ECU's 2021 Community Alumni Award, Narelda spoke candidly about the current climate facing LGBTIQA+ communities across Australia, including rising anti-trans rhetoric, homophobic flyer campaigns circulating in local neighbourhoods, and experiences of violence and exclusion still impacting many people today.
She also highlighted the importance of collective action and community leadership, calling for stronger protections and greater safety for LGBTIQA+ communities and other marginalised groups, including First Nations peoples.
Narelda's keynote connected closely to a broader community-led safety campaign coordinated by RFWA, Youth Pride Network (YPN) and Living Proud in the lead-up to IDAHOBIT. The campaign included a joint statement signed by more than 20 LGBTIQA+ organisations and community groups across Western Australia, calling on the State Government to deliver key legislative reforms before the end of 2026.
The statement called for the modernisation of the Equal Opportunity Act, the expansion of anti-vilification protections, a ban on conversion practices, and an end to deferrable medical interventions on people with innate variations of sex characteristics.
Narelda Jacobs. Image credit: Marziya Mohammedali.
Following the keynote, RFWA CEO and ECU Alum Dr Misty Farquhar OAM facilitated an all queer Noongar panel featuring Narelda Jacobs OAM, ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Education) Professor Braden Hill, Tanesha Bennell from RFWA and WAAC, and Kurtis Makuru from The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health.
The panel explored how advocacy, research, education and community partnerships can work together to drive structural change and improve outcomes for LGBTIQA+ communities, particularly for First Nations peoples and those experiencing intersecting forms of discrimination.
Panel members also reflected on the importance of non-Indigenous queer people needing to show up for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in light of recent attacks and growing racism across Australia.
The IDAHOBIT Lecture panel explored collaboration to drive structural change. Image credit: Marziya Mohammedali.
The event also demonstrated the growing partnership between ECU and RFWA, with both organisations committed to supporting research translation, community collaboration and inclusive public dialogue.
The lecture reflected ECU's ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion and meaningful engagement with community, while creating space for important conversations about safety, belonging and democratic participation.
