IDAHOBIT 2018 Human Library Event - Geelong Waterfront

Come and ‘borrow’ a human 'book' at our International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersexism(IDAHOBIT) Human Library event on Monday 14 May, 12.30–2pm in the Geelong Waterfront Campus Library. (Cloud Students - you may also borrow Ramon Mendoza online via Deakin Skype - please select 'Cloud' in your booking)

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'.

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

Please note, this is an on-campus event for the Deakin community.

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Human Books available for loan

Vanessa Agar, DUSA Queer Officer

I am a demigirl, the demi prefix means nonbinary, and you know what girl means, I don't quite identify in the binary... but I sorta do. I'm also a demisexual which means I have to develop a connection with prospective dates first. My greatest inspiration is Sylvia Rivera, a trans women of colour who was an integral part of the Stonewall Riots, created the trans rights movement, and participated in the creation of the Pride movement itself!

Stephen Simpson

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (well, not that long ago and in a town called Geelong)…

It is a time of great adventure for the Celt, Stephen Simpson. He finds allegiances and familial ties in ever expanding and diverse environments. Scottish blood ties hold true and offer strength through noble ancestry.

Kinship is found not only with the family he was born to but in continuous bonds with the online World of Warcraft and gaming community. The Force is strong with this one and a lifelong obsession with Star Wars has brought many years of fandom.

When not travelling to Azeroth or imagining ownership of the Millennium Falcon, Stephen can be found drawing, painting or studying numerous belief systems from across the globe. A Customer Service Officer at the Waterfront campus for over six years now, he offers constant support to his Deakin University family including the LGBTIQ community.

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 or 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 into a beautiful land of flowers with a swarm of butterflies floating around.

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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:
Warrnambool Library (also via Skype) - Tuesday 15 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