IDAHOBIT 2018 Human Library - Burwood

Come and ‘borrow’ a human 'book' at our International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersexism (IDAHOBIT) Human Library event on Wednesday 16 May 12–2.30pm at the Deakin Burwood Library.

A Human Library is "..a place where real people are on loan to readers... a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue." *

Our Deakin IDAHOBIT Human Library event is designed to promote social inclusion through contact and understanding with staff and students who identify as being part of the LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer) communities.

Up for a new experience? Come along and 'borrow' a human

Our human 'books', aka Deakin staff and students who identify as being part of the LGBTIQ
(lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer) communities, are available to borrow for a 15 minute period.

You can talk, listen, ask questions, and find out more about the personal story of your human 'book'.

This is not only a great chance to learn more about ourselves and the stereotypes and assumptions we all hold, but an opportunity to gain a unique insight into the life and perspectives of another person in our human 'collection' here at Deakin.

Register now to reserve your 15 minute time slot.

Please feel free to bring a friend with you if you like. Our human 'books' are happy to share their stories with two people at a time.

Please note, this is an on-campus event for the Deakin community.

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Human Books available for loan

Bernie Marshall, Dean of Students

The Dean of Students is a new role at Deakin, created to work with senior management of the University to improve all aspects of your experience as a Deakin student. And it is a role that I am really enjoying, as it allows me to work closely with students and staff right across the University on issues that cause difficulties for students or contribute positively to your time with us.

Before this I was the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) for the Faculty of Health for nearly nine years. And I have been at Deakin for 26 years. Most of my work has been in health promotion, originally in the area of how we create schools that are healthy places for our children, and over the last 10 years in training the health workforce to do better work in preventing illness and injury. I have been lucky to work on issues such as promoting community mental health, preventing violence against women and promoting socially inclusive communities through action on racism.

The theme for IDAHOBIT this year is about the importance of alliances. Alliances between staff and students are critical for all of us at Deakin, but particularly when people may feel marginalised or unseen in the Deakin community. I hope that many of you come to speak with the staff and students in the IDAHOBIT Human Library this year to build that sense of community and the alliances between different sections of the University.

Julie Peters

The Art of Living in a Gendered World especially if you don't easily fit.

We belong to multiple families - from our parents, siblings and children right through to the ‘Family of Sentient Beings’. LGBTQI communities are one of my families even though I don't think of myself as L, B, G or T. Rather I think of myself as me - Julie - who can only be defined by my story.

But because of my particular life journey many see me as trans. And from the early 90s, this has led me to share my story as an educator, activist and performer trying to demythologise trans.

As part of my continuing exploration of the gendered world, I have recently completed a PhD, A Feminist Post-transsexual Autoethnography on Challenging Normative Gender Coercion’ (http://dro.deakin.edu.au/view/DU:30086469). This dissertation aims to develop strategies trans and gender non-conforming individuals can use to live healthy lives, increase agency and live creatively. And because the exception proves the rule, shed some light on the normative operation of gender in the social world.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq2m7oQHLbk

Lee Taube

My name is Lee which is a name that I chose, I use they/them/theirs pronouns and identify as gender-queer. I founded Ygender which is Melbourne’s first youth-led social support group for transgender young people and I am inspired by all the work that the young trans people do to support each other. I’ve seen the community grow a lot and love the direction things are going.

Community to me means family and a sense of belonging in a mostly straight binary world. Alliances for solidarity to me are about punching up, not sideways, and enabling positive changes to happen.

Brayden Crane, Relationship Manager, Pride in Diversity

“You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to find it for yourself” – Glinda the Good Witch, The Wizard of Oz

This powerful quote has accompanied me throughout my life, ensuring that regardless of the struggle or challenge ahead of me, and as long as I find the power, strength and drive within myself, I can overcome anything. As a result, time and time again I have been able to find the power to overcome difficult times in my life such as; coming out as gay to my family and friends when I was 17, or moving interstate to Melbourne with my now partner of eight years without even having set foot on Melbourne soil before. But like Dorothy found in Oz, I found a place where I was even more aware of the power that I possessed and used it to not only help myself grow, but to give back to others, like Dorothy did for her friends.

My role as Relationship Manager for Pride in Diversity allows me to use my power in knowing who I am as a professional gay man and my passion for inclsuion to assist employers across Australia achieve workplace inclusion for LGBTI employees, and to ensure that every person feels comfortable and safe to live their true authentic selves in their place of work.

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* The Human Library™ .
You may also remember Deakin University Library's Human Library in 2017.

Deakin's celebrations for IDAHOBIT 17 May

There are plenty of activities happening around the Deakin campuses to celebrate IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia) on 17 May.

Human Library locations

You can also borrow from the Human Library at:
Warrnambool Library (also via Skype) - Tuesday 15 May
Geelong Waterfront Library (also via Skype) - Monday 14 May

Being Frank

A short theatre performance and panel discussion exploring trans and gender diversity. Free event for staff and students. Book online for Being Frank at the following locations:
Warrnambool: Tuesday 15 May 12.30–2pm
Burwood: Wednesday 16 May 4–5.30pm
Geelong Waurn Ponds: Thursday 17 May 1–2.30pm

DUSA Pride Week

DUSA are celebrating Pride Week with events across all campus locations, including morning teas, private movie screenings and on-campus entertainment. dusa.org.au

More about IDAHOBIT

Find out more or join Deakin's LGBTIQ+ Community