Rainbow wreaths adorned shrines and cenotaphs around Australia to commemorate the sacrifice of LGBTI soldiers, sailors and airmen alongside their brothers and sisters in arms.
As the association for LGBTI personnel, former personnel and their families, we undertake this commemoration thanks to all of our wonderful donations.
Rainbow wreaths were placed in Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and in Canberra.
DEFGLIS member Nathan White from Townsville said that he was proud to be an openly gay officer in the Royal Australian Air Force and spoke about the significance of participation in ANZAC Day.
"The ANZACs who fought and lost their lives did so for Australia to define its future as a free and prosperous nation. We have become a nation that embraces diversity in all its forms and respects and includes all people for the value and ideas that they bring to our collective national identity," said White.
White conducted the fly-past display for Cooktown, Mount Garnet, Ingham, Townsville at The Strand and Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens, and Charters Towers in Queensland.
"LGBTI servicemen and women in today’s Australian Defence Force are visible, capable, and respected for their contribution," said White.
"Rainbow wreaths are just one way we remember the brave LGBTI servicemen and women who served in silence for so many years."
Canberra
The following images are (c) Copyright Daniel Spellman for DEFGLIS Defence LGBTI Information Service Incorporated 2016.
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Brisbane
The following images were taken by Terri Hanlon and are (c) Copyright DEFGLIS Defence LGBTI Information Service Incorporated 2016.
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Sydney, Melbourne and Townsville
The following images are (c) Copyright DEFGLIS Defence LGBTI Information Service.
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