Petty Officer Karen Dwyer has been appointed as the new Diverse Sexuality and Gender Adviser for the Navy.
She spoke with DEFGLIS about the Navy's introduction of of Diversity Reference Groups and how interested members can become involved.
Dwyer joined the Navy in 2006 and presently works as an instructor at the Sailors Leadership and Management Faculty-East. She is New Zealand born, an all Blacks supporter, and is expecting her first child later this year with her partner Amanda.
On Anzac Day, Australians honour the sacrifice of all those who have served to defend the country in war and peace. It is a special day on the Australian calendar where everyone has the opportunity to honour and remember a person, a unit or any group of people who served their country.
Anzac commemorations have evolved over the past hundred years, reflecting the changing nature of Australian society. The post-Vietnam era, in particular, has seen those attending events embrace multiculturalism, with different communities within Australia developing their own traditions and practices to honour their families’ and friends’ contributions to our nation.
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.
DEFGLIS and Defence celebrated ten consecutive years of serving with pride at the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade.
While members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have marched in uniform only since 2013, they have marched with formal approval from Defence for much longer.
Defence Force Recruiting and DEFGLIS will be at Fair Day in Sydney on Sunday 19 February to answer questions from LGBTI job-seekers about a future career in Defence.
Fair Day is an important part of the Mardi Gras festival that celebrates sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex people, and showcases the vibrant Sydney LGBTI community.
This year the event has moved to a new location - Camperdown Memorial Rest Park in Newtown.