Maria Bololia identifies as a lesbian from Lesbos, Greece. She has been an activist in the LGBTQI+ community for many years being an advocate for diversity and inclusion informing people of their rights and fighting many causes. One of which was the right for young people to earn a living under the age of 18yrs. She rallied for this taking young people to parliament in 1983 to speak to Bob Hawke and the National Press Club and won the right to earn a living. Because at the time she was homeless, under 18yrs and needed to survive. Below is a piece she wrote in honour of all LGBTQI+ people who have suffered. At the moment she is writing her memoirs. May We Never Forget May we never forget the torture, torment, abuse, harassment, rape, death, incarceration, abuse to civil rights and all the injustices that the LGBTIQ+ community has been put through for simply being who we are and trying to lead happy, healthy lives. May we never forget the leaders, the change makers, the activists who died for our community and made it that much better for us today. May we never forget those who are still being treated as sinners, criminals and despicable human beings in the 76 countries and continents including: Africa, Afghanistan, Iran, India, Lebanon, Russia Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Jamaica, Papa New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga where being LGBTQ+ is still illegal.  Countries where my community is still being tortured, stoned to death, raped, imprisoned and killed by the millions. May we never forget that people are born LGBTIQ+.  It is not a choice, a preference, a curiosity, defiance nor an anarchistic stand, abomination, a sin or a crime.   May we never forget that LGBTIQ+ people have the right to be happy, to feel safe in their work place, environment, community and that not any one person should feel like they have the right to determine, vote or dictate otherwise. May we never forget that we are all, or should be, equals and not any one person is better by way of wealth, status, nationality, religion, colour, sex or gender identity. or should be any better or any more important than any other!! May we never forget that it took until 1994 for homosexuality to be decriminalised in this country. May we never forget that it took until 1997 for homosexuality to be decriminalised in Tasmania. May we never forget that it took until 2017 for same sex couples to be given the right to adopt in this country. May we never forget that it took until 2018 for same sex couples to be given the right to wed in this country. May we never forget that we the LGTIQ community are faced with the struggle of having to explain, justify, prove and debate who or what we are every day of our lives. May we never forget that we are what we are and that what we are needs no excuses. May we never forget the next time you ask an LGBTIQ person when did you come out to your parents would you ever ask that of a heterosexual person? May we never forget that LGBTIQ people come from all sorts of nationalities, hold all sorts of political and religious beliefs, professional and socio economic sectors and that more than 10% of the population make up the varied and diverse intersectionalities in or of the LGBTIQ community May we never forget that love is love, and that kindness, and compassion should be what matter when all is said and done!! If you’ve ever been silenced, felt powerless, insignificant, invisible, discredited, disrespected, told you’re being difficulty, quarrelsome, non compliant, anit-social, sacrilegious, harassed, bullied, manipulated, threatened or given ultimatums, and told that you’re not good enough then this is for you!! You are enough!! You were always enough!! You will always be enough!! Maria Bololia I strive to create a welcoming and safe environment that accepts all people no matter what their persuasion https://awakeningswithanwyn.com/ Join in celebrating Castlemaine Pride week 28-4 to 6-5 for program go to www.castlemainepride.org.au