Nevena and Paul talk to Joe Ball – Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, Update on IDAHOBIT Weekend

May 17 marks the date in 1990 that homosexuality was removed from the WHO Classification of Diseases. Over three decades later, LGBTQIA+ communities still face discrimination – but every one of us can make a difference. Will you stand against discrimination?

A worldwide celebration of gender and sexual diversities and a call to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community to fight discrimination.

The first Mardi Gras pride march was held in Sydney in 1978, which was met with violence from police. Those who marched were beaten inside police cells and had their names published by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Tasmania was the last jurisdiction in Australia to decriminalise homosexuality in May 1997. The majority of Australians today were alive during a time when it was illegal to be gay.

The Marriage Equality plebiscite was held in 2017. While marriage equality was passed, 38.4% of Australians who voted (4.8 million people) voted against it.

The first IDAHOBIT was held in 2005 and is today acknowledged by millions of people globally. While IDAHOBIT has evolved over these years, the purpose remains the same – celebrate the progress we have made while also raising awareness for the discrimination that LGBTQIA+ people still face today.

Joe Ball was appointed as Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities on 23 September 2024 for a three-year term.

Commissioner Ball (he/him) is a proud transgender man. He is a longstanding LGBTIQA+ advocate with a 25-year career in disability, housing and homelessness, and social services.

Commissioner Ball is a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the Federal Government’s 10-Year LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing Plan. He has previously participated in several leading social service advisory committees and boards. This includes the Victorian Family Violence peak body Safe and Equal, the Community Advisory Committee for 1800RESPECT, the Victorian LGBTIQA+ Taskforce, the Victorian Family Violence Reform Advisory Group, and the National Suicide Prevention Governance Committee.

Joe was previously CEO of Switchboard Victoria for eight years, where he led the establishment of Rainbow Door, the statewide LGBTIQA+ family violence and mental health helpline.

Throughout his expansive career, Joe has drawn upon the strength and guidance of LGBTIQA+ history and most importantly, the work of activists who have paved the way, the courageous voices with lived experience and the wisdom of LGBTIQA+ elders.

In 2020, Joe was honoured as an award recipient in the 50 Outstanding LGBTI+ Leaders in Australia.

The post Sat, 16th May, 2026: Joe Ball – Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, Update on IDAHOBIT Weekend appeared first on Saturday Magazine.