Today is the International Transgender Day of Visibility, and as a mark of respect and inclusivity, cafés, restaurants, shops and bars in Victoria are putting up stickers that display the transgender flag at their entrances.
The stickers come from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, who offered the stickers for free to businesses who wanted to show to the LGBTQIA community and transgender people that their business was a welcoming and non-discriminatory safe space.
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton said that the flag stickers were intended to send a strong message of encouragement and support, and to show to all that transgender and gender diverse people were welcome and safe at the establishment.
"We want trans and gender diverse people across the state to know that they belong and that they're a valued part of our community," Commissioner Hilton said. "Many trans people face discrimination every day in businesses, on public transport and through the media."
"Cafes, bars, restaurants and shops that display the trans flag send a powerful signal that they are welcoming places that value respect and won't stand for discrimination."
Cafes, bars, restaurants and shops that display the trans flag send a powerful signal that they are welcoming places that value respect and won't stand for discrimination.
One of the businesses that is displaying the transgender flag is Assembly cafe in Carlton.
Chrissie and Zach, employees at the cafe, are handing out flyers to customers today, to explain what the flag in their window is for, and why they've put it up.
Zach tells SBS, "Assembly's doors are open for everyone. On the Transgender Day of Visibility, we want to specifically recognise people who are trans and gender diverse and let them know that they're welcome here."
Commissioner Hilton says the Commission wants to hear from anyone who has experienced discrimination due to their gender identity. She tells SBS, ""I encourage anyone who has experienced discrimination to call the Commission. We can answer questions, take complaints under our laws and offer a free dispute resolution service.
“No one should be treated unfairly because of who they are.”
To request a transgender flag sticker for your business, email communications@veohrc.vic.gov.au.
If you have experienced discrimination, call the Commission on 1300 292 153 or visit humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au.
