Blue Mountains City Council will raise the Progress Pride flag at Peace Park on 17 May, marking 16 years of continuous IDAHOBIT recognition since the council began commemorating the day in 2010.
The flag raising at 9am will be followed by a community celebration at Tibbi Whalan Hall from 10am to 12pm, featuring panel discussions, creative activities and stalls from eight local organisations including Bent Art, Blue Mountains Trans & Gender Diverse Social Group, MOCS, and headspace.
Mayor Mark Greenhill said the council was proud to stand with the LGBTQIA+ community on the day marking the World Health Organization’s 1990 decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental health disorders. “Flying the Progress Pride flag sends a clear message that the Blue Mountains is a place where everyone is valued, respected and safe,” Greenhill said.
The 2026 theme, “At the Heart of Democracy”, recognises that genuine democratic societies must guarantee equity and justice for LGBTQIA+ communities. Blue Mountains City Council is one of the few Australian councils committed to flying the Pride flag annually on 17 May in support of IDAHOBIT.
Previous IDAHOBIT events have featured performances by community groups and local high school students, with event emcee Elle Virus representing community participation. The collaborative model involves multiple community organisations across health, arts and social services sectors.
Greenhill has previously highlighted the ongoing need for community support, citing statistics that 78.4 per cent of LGBTQIA+ people have considered suicide at some point in their life due to discrimination and stigma.
The council’s Gender Equity Strategy supports equal opportunities for all community members, including non-binary and transgender people, as part of its Community Strategic Plan commitment to fostering an inclusive community.
The free community event welcomes families, friends, allies and anyone interested in community inclusion. Early arrival is recommended for the limited-capacity venue at Tibbi Whalan Hall, Civic Place, Katoomba.
Quick Facts
Blue Mountains City Council
Local government authority covering the Blue Mountains region west of Sydney, incorporating towns from Emu Plains to Lithgow along the Great Western Highway. Led by Mayor Mark Greenhill, the Council has supported LGBTQIA+ inclusion initiatives since 2010.
ACON
New South Wales’ leading HIV and LGBTQ+ health organisation, providing community services across Sydney including Western Sydney outreach programs. ACON supports local councils with IDAHOBIT events and runs major Pride celebrations like Parramatta Pride Picnic.