Tears flowed as a rainbow flag - a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride and diversity - flowed freely in the heart of Ballarat on Tuesday morning.
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Against the backdrop of grey skies, the Ballarat City Council raised a rainbow flag at Queen Victoria Square for the first time in history to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. For Equal Love Ballarat co-convener Koby Bunney the moment brought a lifetime of emotions to the surface.
“It was more than exciting, I actually cried. For me, it was one of the biggest steps I have seen the city take to support LGBT communities.”
Identical flags were flown at Mount Clear College, Phoenix College, Ballarat Police Station and the Trades Hall.
“I basically ran away, cut myself off from my family and social circles in Ballarat to come out,” an emotional Mr Bunney said. “I left school and moved away, so I think it sends out a big symbol of hope to younger generations.”
VIEW PHOTOS OF THE CEREMONY HERE
Mr Bunney said Ballarat was leading the way across regional and rural towns. “For the younger generations of LGBT it shows them that it’s not only fine for them to be themselves, but their hometown accepts them, they are included, they can feel safe and they feel know they belong here just as much as anyone else.
“But it also sends out a message to bigoted, homophobic people thinking of coming here that Ballarat has zero tolerance for homophobia.”
Mr Bunney said the council’s move towards gay pride and equality had been lead by Ballarat deputy mayor councillor Belinda Coates, who received an award from Equal Love Ballarat for her contribution.
Cr Coates said the event was paramount because it showed a unified vision symbol of solidarity across the whole city.
“It sends out a message that whether your an existing resident or visiting the city that Ballarat is an accepting place with no room for homophobia,” she said.
To mark the occasion, the Ballarat Library also held a range of activities including a Light Rainbow community lunch. Equal Love Ballarat also held a community inclusion forum at Ballarat Trades Hall, including screening of Gayby Baby, a film which explores the experiences of children with same sex parents
