2023 DOROTHIES

Working It Out held its annual International Day of Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) event in Hobart this year.

IDAHOBIT is an annual reminder of the impact that discrimination, isolation and abuse still has on the lives of LGBTIQA+ people both locally and globally. Discrimination, isolation and abuse lead to much poorer health and wellbeing outcomes for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians than the broader population, with fewer people accessing necessary services.

At the other end of the spectrum, the event also celebrated the work that is happening in our community to make this a better world for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians via ‘the Dorothies’ Awards.

The theme for this year’s awards was Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice in Local Government

The Minister for Local Government, Hon. Nic Street, spoke about the importance of inclusion and acceptance in all areas of government and congratulated the winners of this year’s awards for the work they were doing.

The winners were:

City of Hobart for the Pioneering Change category. This award is for the role they have played over a considerable period of time in engaging with LGBTIQ+ communities and showing visible and public support when it matters.  

Central Coast Council for the Most Inspiring category. This award recognises the significant change that has been seen in the northwest, from hosting anti-gay rallies in the 1990s to publicly making amends and apologising to the community for these past events.

The Best Practice award was won by Kingborough Council and recognised their efforts in undertaking a holistic process, beginning with educating themselves and engaging community, to developing and implement a specific LGBTIQ+ action plan for the municipality.

The category of next year’s awards: ‘Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusion in Government Agencies’

Nomination form is coming soon!