Olympian Daniel Kowalski recently addressed a captive audience of Australian Defence Force Academy undergraduates at a dinner celebrating the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.
The dinner was organised by the Australian Defence Force Academy LGBTI Community and attended by over 80 officer cadets and midshipmen, several members of Defence’s senior leadership group, representatives from Defence People Group, DEFGLIS and civilian organisations working in LGBTI diversity and inclusion.
Air Commodore Alan Clements is the Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy and said that the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia dinner had been running for the past four years.
“It is an important opportunity for our officer cadets and midshipmen to gain a better understanding of the understanding of the considerations they will need to apply as future leaders of LGBTI soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen,” said Clements.
The guest speaker for the evening was former Olympic Swimmer, Daniel Kowalski, who spoke about the difficulties he experienced as a result of his sexual orientation in sports.
"Everyone's journey is different ... I get why people struggle so much with accepting themselves ... [and] coming-out to their families," said Kowalski.
Kowalski now works with the Australian Swimmer's Association. In his spare time, he makes an enormous contribution to the LGBTI community speaking about the importance of inclusion and diversity and contributes to mental health initiatives.
"I wouldn't change one single thing that I've experienced in my life -- I think more than anything, is the fact that I can stand up here finally as an openly proud gay man at a place like ADFA and be accepted," said Kowalski.
"That's not only a reflection of how I feel as a person but you as an organisation - how accepting you are and how important being inclusive is."
Army Officer Cadet Victoria Flockhart coordinates the Australian Defence Force Academy LGBTI community and said that the event was a huge success in solidifying the strong bonds that the community has with wider Defence organisation.
“The dinner shows the trainee officers at the Australian Defence Force Academy that being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex is accepted and that there is a strong support network available,” she said.
The annual International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBiT) Dinner was held at the Australian Defence Force Academy on 19 May 16.
The event is held to align with activities worldwide that celebrate the value in diversity, as well as recognising the issues that surround the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities.
This year, the theme was focused on the welfare and wellbeing of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex diverse personnel and the importance of understanding the challenges that continue to affect serving members.