On 17 May, we recognise IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia. For me, this is not just a date on the calendar. It is a reminder of the kind of organisation we are building at Auscare Support, and the kind of community I want us to be part of.

As CEO, I spend a lot of time thinking about culture. Not just policies or processes, but how people actually feel when they walk into a room, join a conversation, or engage with our services. Do they feel safe? Do they feel respected? Do they feel like they can be themselves?

Because they should.

I have seen firsthand how powerful it is when someone feels truly accepted, and how damaging it can be when they do not. For people in LGBTQIA+ communities, that experience can still be inconsistent. There is progress, yes, but there are also moments where people feel judged, excluded, or misunderstood.

IDAHOBIT is a moment to acknowledge that reality, and to be clear about where we stand.

At Auscare Support, we stand for inclusion. Not just in words, but in action.

I do not expect anyone to have all the answers. I certainly do not. But I do believe that every one of us has a role to play in creating a more inclusive environment.

Sometimes it is in the small things:

• Taking the time to listen
• Using the right name or pronouns
• Being open to learning, even when it feels unfamiliar
• Speaking up when something does not feel right

These are not big, complicated actions. But they matter. They shape how safe someone feels.

And if we get it wrong at times, the important thing is that we stay open, we learn, and we keep trying.

For me, inclusion is not optional. It is fundamental to the way we work.

The people we support trust us with their lives, their goals, and their vulnerabilities. The least we can do is ensure that they feel respected and safe in every interaction. The same goes for our team.

When people feel safe to be themselves, everything improves. Relationships strengthen. Communication becomes clearer. Outcomes are better. It is not just the right thing to do, it is essential to doing our work well.

Days like IDAHOBIT are a chance for me to pause and reflect on whether I am doing enough, and whether we, as an organisation, are living up to the standards we set for ourselves.

There is always more to learn. There is always more we can do.

On 17 May, I encourage all of us to take a moment. Check in with ourselves. Think about the impact we have on the people around us. Consider what inclusion looks like in our day-to-day actions.

It does not have to be perfect. It just has to be genuine.

Because everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported for exactly who they are. And that is something I will always stand behind.