The rainbow flag was flying on Friday, as the Mountains marked ten years since first recognising IDAHOT day - the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
This year, on Friday May 17, the theme was about standing by your mates.
Two local speakers told a crowd of 250 of their stories of support for LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/sexual, queer, intersex, asexual and other) people in the Mountains.
Convenor of Pink Mountains Youth, Jonathan Llewellyn and Adisen Wright, a Winmalee High HSC student, who is also this year's Blue Mountains Young Citizen of the Year, spoke to community members including high school students from across the Mountains.
Mr Llewellyn spoke of the support being offered to young people and their families at Pink Mountains Youth and reflected on the value of this support in a world where hate speech is made easier through social media.
"For a couple of hours each month these young, dynamic people are their authentic selves, are their own truth, without fear of judgment or discrimination," he said.
"They might bring their own fears of their truth with them, but that is what the group is for. Pink Mountains Youth connects these young people in a supportive environment, building a social network, the next generation of community in the Mountains."
Mr Llewellyn said it is hard for others to understand that young people struggling with their sexuality don't even have the language to explain their needs or feelings to others.
"However, when you are part of a community that is only around ten per cent of the population, who do you turn to, to stand by your side? Your mates. Start with your real friends, your siblings or family, that teacher you can talk to. Talk to them about the impact language can have on others, the boxes that need to be filled out on a form, and topics you actually need to talk about in your school's personal development [classes]. If someone tells you that from now on they are using particular pronouns - his/her or they/them - use them."
Adisen Wright had his baptism of political reality during his participation in the 2017 Vote Yes campaign for marriage equality in the Mountains.
"Our group of volunteers was on the streets of Springwood, sharing our message of love and acceptance," Mr Wright said. "However, a man approached and started to insult me for wearing the rainbow wig. He questioned my sexuality, said he was disgusted by my presence. I knew from that day forward that I would never let anyone silence me. I will for the rest of my life speak up against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia," Mr Wright said.
He has asked people to: "Please believe in love and acceptance, not hatred and ignorance."
Councillor Romola Hollywood, council's representative on the IDAHOT organising committee, said "despite the many gains we have made as a nation over the last 10 years including removing discrimination from our laws and realising marriage equality, we need to remain vigilant and stand up against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in all its forms".
"Raising the Rainbow flag for IDAHOT reminds us how important it is to respect and value diversity and ensure all people, including our young people, feel safe and included in our community," she added.
- IDAHOT Blue Mountains is organised by a number of community organisations and LGBTQIA+ community members and is supported by Blue Mountains City Council. Information about Pink Mountains Youth is available at www.pinkmountains.com.au.
