Transgender personnel provide outstanding military service in Australia
For over eight years, transgender people have served openly in a range of operational roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force. DEFGLIS President Nathan White said that transgender members enhance military capability and make a significant contribution to the national security.
"We promote inclusion as the foundation of a diverse and capable workforce that is free from discrimination," said White.
"Highly performing military teams need to draw ideas from a wide range of perspectives to make us strong and more capable to fight and win on the battlefield, in all domains."
Royal Australian Air Force Officer and DEFGLIS member Dana Pham spoke of how being open and honest about being transgender was the best decision she has made throughout her service.
"When I joined Air Force five years ago, I was uncertain about whether to be open about my gender transition or not. Eventually I decided it was time to be open about it," said Pham.
"I am humbled by the overwhelming acceptance by subordinates, peers, and superiors of my transgender status."
In Pham's opinion, what ultimately matters to her colleagues is that she can perform her job effectively and render honourable service to the nation.
DEFGLIS provides a peer support network and promotes visibility for transgender personnel in the Australian Defence Force and their families.
DEFGLIS also provides advice to transgender members that have completed transition and seek to join the Australian Defence Force.
To contact DEFGLIS, follow this link:
https://www.defglis.com.au/index.php/contact
Image by Daniel Spellman for DEFGLIS
Author: Connor Haas
Connor is a Personnel Capability Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, and DEFGLIS Communications Director
Bonnie Doyle, Events Director
Luke Headley, Policy Director
Joseph Monteith, Vice-President
Karen Dwyer, Board Member
Connor Haas, Communications Director