Pride groups respond to IDAHOBIT protest at Adelaide school

LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups have expressed concern today after a group in Adelaide protested a school’s acknowledgement of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

Approximately 50 adults, including some parents, gathered today outside of Reynella East College public school in Adelaide’s south to protest its celebration of the anti-discrimination day.

In response to the protest, advocacy organisations including Pride Adelaide and SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance have expressed their disappointment, and clarified the importance of allowing schools to promote inclusivity and diversity.

Protesters have faced off with the public at an Adelaide college after a dad’s Facebook post sparked opposition to the school’s anti discrimination IDAHOBIT Day plans.

The fiery encounter comes after parents of the Reynella East College – a pre-school to Year 12 school –… pic.twitter.com/7p7C12vnXn

— The Advertiser (@theTiser) May 13, 2026

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What happened at Reynella East College?

In an email to parents, Reynella East College announced its intention to “recognise and celebrate” IDAHOBIT on May 13, rather than its usual annual date of May 17, which falls on a Sunday in 2026.

The school, which caters to students from preschool to year 12, outlined that activities would take place during REC programs and break times. The email mentioned that students could optionally choose to wear rainbow accessories to mark the day.

The email was shared on social media by Luke Poulton, a community activist and father of two whose daughter attends the school, who went on to organise what he called a “peaceful protest” against “woke ideology”.

On the Facebook group ‘Community Voice SA – Southern Suburbs’, Poulton shared a poster for the protest, featuring what appears to be an AI-generated image of parents and children protesting with signs.

Coverage of the planned protest via local news outlets, including The Advertiser and Adelaide Now, drew attention across the country, with pro- and anti-LGBTQIA+ groups weighing in.

Nonetheless, the protest went ahead this morning as planned, with a reported group of 40 to 50 adults standing outside the school’s gates holding signs with phrases like “LEAVE OUR KIDS ALONE” and “BAN IDAHBIT [sic] DAY”.

Anti-IDAHOBIT protestors were met by protestors of their own, as well as a police presence.

In videos shared to social media, it appears that pro-LGBTQIA+ individuals who were criticising the “anti-woke” protestors were moved along by police. Poulton’s group were moved further away from the school’s fences.

WATCH | Parents at Reynella East College are protesting an LGBTQ+ awareness celebration. Kimberley Pratt from 7NEWS is at the scene.@FIVEAABreakfast @KimberleyPratt_ pic.twitter.com/02daAjwq5V

— FIVEAA (@1395FIVEAA) May 12, 2026

LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups respond

A number of LGBTQIA+ advocacy organisations have criticised protestors’ misinterpretation of the school’s desire to allow students the option to celebrate diversity.

On Instagram, ahead of the protest, Trans Justice Adelaide wrote: “We commend the students for their bravery in supporting one another, even if we wish bravery wasn’t needed … It is not indoctrination to teach children to care for and respect one another.”

SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance also shared a post on social media, writing: “Schools are a place where everyone should feel welcome … But this week we’ve seen a small but vocal minority target Reynella East College for their efforts to create a culture of respect and inclusion this International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT).”

“We know that LGBTIQA+ young people are more likely to experience harassment and abuse, less likely to feel like they belong in their school community, and as a result experience poorer mental health outcomes. That’s exactly why we need days like IDAHOBIT – to show that everyone belongs in South Australia and that hate has no place in our schools or our state.”

Pride Adelaide, the group that organises the annual Adelaide Pride March, shared a statement in the aftermath of the protest. “Today’s scenes outside Reynella East College are disappointing and deeply concerning, because everyone, especially our young people, deserves better,” they wrote.

The organisation went on to note that schools acknowledging anti-discrimination days like IDAHOBIT are not promoting any agenda other than inclusivity and kindness.

 

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A post shared by Pride Adelaide (@prideadelaide)

“IDAHOBIT exists for one reason. To remind LGBTQIASB+ young people, staff, families and communities that they deserve to feel safe, respected and included. Schools recognising IDAHOBIT are not promoting an agenda. They are promoting kindness, inclusion and the right for every student to feel like they belong.

For many young LGBTQIASB+ people, visibility matters. Supportive school environments reduce isolation, bullying and harm. IDAHOBIT gives schools an opportunity to stand against discrimination and create safer communities for all students,” the statement continued.

What is IDAHOBIT, and why does it matter?

IDAHOBIT has been celebrated annually on May 17 to recognise and celebrate the ongoing fight against LGBTQIA+ discrimination. The date commemorates the anniversary of homosexuality being removed as a listed disease among the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Classification of Diseases in 1990.

The inaugural IDAHOBIT occurred in 2005, and continues to take place annually as both a celebration and push for progress in LGBTQIA+ rights.

According to IDAHOBIT.org.au, the day remains important due to ongoing discrimination against the queer community. Studies show that LGBTQIA+ people are less likely to be out at work in 2025 compared to 2022; 35 per cent of LGBTQIA+ Australians have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months; and two in three LGBTQIA+ youth experience abuse due to their identity.