International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) – Ramineh’s Story

IDAHOBIT stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, and is celebrated annually on May 17. The day commemorates the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases, where it had previously been listed as a mental disorder.

IDAHOBIT aims to raise awareness and combat discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people — individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, queer, intersex, and asexual communities.

Despite the progress that has been made, the LGBTQIA+ human rights movement is relatively recent. This means that stigma and discrimination are unfortunately still prevalent across the world.

35% of LGBTQIA+ Australians have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months.

 
We are dedicated to upholding and advancing LGBTQIA+ rights in our work and are committed to encouraging an inclusive community where people of all sexualities, gender identities, and expressions feel safe, respected, and empowered to understand their rights, access justice, and be treated with equality and dignity. Ramineh’s story embodies these values.

Ramineh* arrived in Australia on a visitor visa. She had travelled around Australia working on farms in regional areas. She was fearful of returning to her home country as an LGBTQIA+ woman from a country where homosexuality is illegal. She had been refused refugee status from the Department of Home Affairs who stated it was safe for her to return. She approached our office for advice and assistance with her appeal application at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal^ (AAT) after being called for a hearing in a few weeks time.

We provided Ramineh with advice and assistance with her appeal application and represented her at the hearing. This involved providing guidance in obtaining supporting documentation from her LGBTQIA+ community and organisations.

We provided post-hearing submissions due to the concerns of the tribunal member regarding the questioning of her sexual and gender orientation.

The AAT remitted her matter stating she met the criteria for a Protection visa and subsequently her permanent visa has been granted by the Department of Home Affairs.

Ramineh is now happily living in Australia as a permanent resident with her wife, safe in the knowledge that she can live and express herself freely.

Ramineh’s story embodies the mission of IDAHOBIT and the work we do at Circle Green — standing up for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people seeking safety, challenging injustice, and working collaboratively to ensure that everyone has the freedom to live authentically and without fear. When we protect the rights of marginalised individuals and celebrate diversity and inclusion, society is enriched.

Days such as IDAHOBIT help to educate and raise awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination.
Learn how you can be a meaningful ally.

*Real name and photo have not been used. We have withheld identifying details to protect and respect confidentiality.  
^The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) was replaced by the Administrative Review Tribunal on 14 October 2024.