IDAHOBIT 2018 Human Library - Warrnambool and Cloud Campus

Come and ‘borrow’ a human 'book' at our International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersexism (IDAHOBIT) Human Library event on Tuesday 15 May 2.30–4pm in the Warrnambool Campus Library. (Cloud students - you may also borrow both books online via Deakin Skype - please select 'Cloud' when booking. There are also some cloud borrowing sessions available on Monday 14 May between 12.30 and 2pm.)

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

This is not only a great chance to learn more about ourselves and the stereotypes and assumptions we all hold, but 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 note, this is an on-campus event for the Deakin community - both students and staff are welcome.

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Human Books available for loan

Ramon Alejandro Martinez Mendoza

“When a tree is growing, it's tender and pliant. But when it's dry and hard, it dies. Hardness and strength are death's companions. Pliancy and weakness are expressions of the freshness of being. Because what has hardened will never win.” ~ Andrei Tarkovsky – Stalker

When I first heard this poem from Tarkovsky’s movie Stalker I related to it, because life is something that shouldn’t be taken so seriously. It is ok to do things wrong and it is acceptableto make mistakes. Our learning is to admit in front of others that we are human and we are imperfect and therefore weakness is allowed. Because, as Tarkovsky states, weakness is an expression of learning and the day we have all the answers we won’t have anything to learn and be surprised about.

I have had sunny and rainy days in my life - days that look like a beautiful spring where flowers bloom around and days with heavy storms that leave havoc everywhere. Whether it has been coming out, falling in or out of love, being a political refugee or finding a new home, what has looked initially like a heavy storm has always transformed in a beautiful land of flowers with a swarm of butterflies floating around.

Lian Low

In 1996, at age 18, Lian came out to her (at first alarmed, and then very supportive) family, and a crowd of supportive strangers at the Victorian Arts Centre. Lian’s announcement was part of her winning entry in a short play competition. She also wrote about the experience in a story published in Growing Up Asian in Australia, an anthology edited by Alice Pung. Prominent members of the LGBTIQ+ communities are also featured in the book including Benjamin Law, Tony Ayres and Joo-Inn Chew. Lian currently works as a project officer with Deakin’s LGBTIQ+ Community.

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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:
Geelong Waterfront Library (also via Skype) - Monday 14 May
Burwood Library - Wednesday 16 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