DEFGLIS will place rainbow wreaths at cenotaphs across Australia this ANZAC Day, to remember those who served in silence alongside their brothers- and sisters-in-arms.
As the association representing LGBTI service personnel and their families, DEFGLIS lays rainbow wreaths on Anzac Day to pay respects to all who served, past and present, and to honour with pride the LGBTI service personnel among them.
The tradition of laying rainbow wreaths commenced in 2015 to remember the sacrifice of all who served, following representations and the urging by LGBTI ex-service personnel.
Integrated into each rainbow wreath are pride colours and that make their dedication easily identifiable amongst the many wreaths that seek to remember the service and sacrifice of those who fought in wars - modern wars and those from the distant past.
At the first known such commemoration in 1982, members from the Gay Ex-Servicemen's Association were turned away from the Cenotaph in Melbourne, and escorted from the site by policy. They along with other groups on the day, were simply laying a wreath to respect their fallen comrades.
Discrimination against LGBTI personnel required Defence personnel to hide who they were prior to 1992.
Details of 2017 ANZAC Day wreath laying can be found here.
Images: ANZAC Day 2016 in Canberra and Brisbane by DEFGLIS