At PEXA we are proud of our diverse, talented and dedicated employees (PEXArians), and equally our 8,800 plus PEXA member firms, who together assist 20,000 families per week to settle their properties Australia-wide.
We strive to provide a safe and inclusive environment, and for every PEXArian to be able to bring their true selves to the workplace. On 17 May, PEXA stands in recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) and in support of our LGBTQI+ community both within the PEXA workplace and globally.
This date was established in recognition of a significant and solemn day for the LGBTQI+ community, when the World Health Organisation’s International Statistical Classification of Diseases no longer listed homosexuality as a diagnosis for mental illness.
We remember the days before then when this was not the case and commit to raising awareness of the necessary actions still required to remove homophobia, transphobia, interphobia, biphobia, and exclusive behaviour, from our society.
To assist us in doing our part for IDAHOBIT, some of our fantastic PEXArians have shared their personal, inspiring stories and the meaning of IDAHOBIT for them.
Lachlan Crowe, Manager, Product Innovation
“In marking IDAHOBIT, it’s an opportunity to celebrate together the powerful impact that inclusion and belonging can have on a society.
I can clearly remember the first time I became aware of this day. The all-boys secondary school in regional Victoria that I attended marked IDAHOBIT, in what was a watershed moment for a school grappling with homophobia and the damaging impact it has on young people. Unfortunately, this had been an all too real aspect of my personal schooling experience.
In that moment and in the years that followed, our community embraced the opportunity to ensure that when it came to our values of respect, integrity and compassion, we didn’t make any exceptions.
I saw first-hand the transformative effect that giving everyone a stake in inclusion has on an organisation’s culture, and how this permeates through a broader community.”
Katherine Sciacca, Member Compliance Analyst
“It’s unfortunate that a day such as IDAHOBIT is still needed, which is why it is so important to spread awareness. Even if this day is not directly personal to you, it is personal to someone you’ve met, or even work with. I sadly have been a victim of homophobia many times and the feeling of not being treated as an equal is heartbreaking and can leave you feeling fearful to just be yourself.
Sometimes the fear gets the best of me, but I try my hardest to turn that fear into the fuel I need to stand tall and proud. Working for a company that is taking the initiative to outwardly support LGBTQI+ individuals, feels like a big hug. Feeling safe and supported to be your authentic self at work and in life should be non-negotiable for anyone. Ignorance isn’t always bliss, but equality is.”
David Willett, Head of IT Security
“For me, IDAHOBIT is an opportunity to make sure that the next generation grow up knowing that they are indeed “normal” and that what makes them different is in fact what makes them special and valuable to society.
As a child of the ‘80s and ‘90s, growing up gay was not always easy. Coming to terms with who I was as a person always seemed to have a sense of fear and shame attached to it, as the limited information available to me seemed to indicate that it was “wrong”. Since coming out at the age of 19, I was truly blessed to be surrounded by friends and family who have always loved and supported me for being exactly who I am.
Professionally, it has often taken me time to feel comfortable in the workplace to say that my partner is a ‘he’ and not a ‘she’ without fear of rejection from my colleagues. That was of course until I found my home at PEXA where I was instantly comfortable to be exactly who I am.”
Nancy Madafferi, Knowledge and Content Manager
“For me supporting IDAHOBIT is fundamental to the success of my children’s generation and the generations that come after them.
I have seen both friends and family be discriminated against for their sexual orientation and the pain and hurt it causes. It would absolutely break my heart to watch that happen to my own children.
Supporting the LGBTQI+ community means that I support an equal and fair world. One that my children can grow up in, unafraid to be who they are, unafraid of what people will think of them, unafraid of how people will react to them or what opportunities they can or can’t have based on their sexual orientation.”
