Australians wanting to fight discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people are being urged to get involved in the new and improved version of social inclusion phenomenon This Is Oz.

Relaunched today to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), This Is Oz has had a brand refresh and is now on Instagram, making it much easier for participants to submit pictures or videos of themselves with messages that challenge homophobia/transphobia or celebrate diversity and social inclusion. To get involved, all participants need to do is upload their photo or video on Instagram and tag it with #thisisoz

Originally created by us back in 2009, running until 2013, the original initiative was hugely successful, generating over 3000 submissions, attracting hundreds of thousands of website visitors and millions of TV viewers (thanks to a partnership with Network 10), and getting the backing of many high profile Australian people and organisations including Wallaby captain David Pocock, Gold Logie winner Carrie Bickmore, Footy Show Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin, singer Marcia Hines, actress and DJ Ruby Rose, and comedians Dave Hughes and Charlie Pickering.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says with the LGBTI community recently coming under attack in relation to a range of issues, ACON felt it was important for community members and supporters to have a platform to speak up for an inclusive Australia.

“This Is Oz is all about making Australia a place where everyone belongs,” Mr Parkhill says. “Part art project and part social justice campaign, This Is Oz aims to improve services and opportunities for LGBTI Australians by demonstrating public support for LGBTI rights as well as illustrating the impact that homophobia and transphobia has on the whole community,” Mr Parkhill says.

“As Australians, we pride ourselves on the principles of freedom and equality that have become hallmarks of our society. However, unjust laws and unfriendly attitudes mean that LGBTI Australians don’t always get a fair go. We know that a great many Australians share our vision for an inclusive Australia, and This Is Oz offers them a simple yet powerful way to speak up and show their support for a society that embraces diversity and accepts people regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.”

This Is Oz is being supported by Evo Media which publishes a range of LGBTI magazines and websites across Australia including print titles SX (NSW), MCV (VIC), Queensland Pride and Blaze (SA), and websites Gay News Network and SameSame. Evo Company Director Dean Bell says Evo is looking forward to using the latest features of contemporary social media to promote the initiative and get people involved.

“This Is Oz was ahead of its time when it was originally launched because photo sharing was nowhere near as easy as it is now,” Mr Bell says. “We’ve got Instagram now as well as lots of great new features on Facebook and Twitter which allow people to connect, share and inspire each other much more effectively. We were a media partner for the first version of This Is Oz and we’re delighted to be working with ACON again to help people speak up for an inclusive Australia.”

To view any of the 3000 original images, or find out more about the project please visit: instagram.com/thisisoz2 or facebook.com/thisisoz or twitter.com/this_is_oz

For more information please contact:
David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications Officer
E: dalexander@acon.org.au T: +61 (02) 9206 2044 M: +61 (0)428 477 042