DEFGLIS supports diversity and inclusion—learning about our differences, and finding effective ways to work with one another to produce the war fighting effects required of the ADF. While originally set up to provide support to LGBTI people in the Australian Defence Organisation, DEFGLIS strongly values inclusion for all people.
The second official Australian Defence Force participation in the Mardi Gras parade found new relevance amid the cultural festival’s own ratings revival.
A quarter of the contingent was comprised of straight officer cadets and midshipmen from the Australian Defence Force Academy showing a generational commitment to the evolving ADF and true mateship to their LGBTI colleagues. This year also marked the first participation by transgender Defence personnel.
After almost two years working at getting our constitution developed and working out how to incorporate DEFGLIS, we're finally ready to hit the go button! We invite all our current members and subscribers to register and create the formal incorporated association by passing a Special Resolution. Members who sign up between now and 26 March 2014 will be recognised as the Foundation membersof our association. After we incorporate, we'll vote in the new board from the nominations we received last year. Register online here.
Its been a fairly busy past few month for us all and unfortunately we haven't been able to bring you the news in the usual fashion. The major highlights include a community event with Brisbane's Gay and Lesbian Business Network, the our first participation at Western Australia Pride and our members participating in the New Zealand Pride in Defence conference.
The New Zealand Defence Force has launched an "It Gets Better" video - featuring members of Overwatch - the counterpart of DEFGLIS in New Zealand. To our knowledge it is the first time a Defence Force has produced such a video which is aimed at reducing the risk of suicide in young people.