Discharged for being gay, former army officer welcomes historic defence reform ahead of ANZAC Day
A Bill introduced into Parliament to address the historic treatment of LGBTI personnel in the Australian Defence Force is being welcomed as a long-overdue step toward justice.
The Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation) Bill 2026, introduced by Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh, will enable eligible Defence personnel convicted solely on the basis of consensual homosexual activity to apply to have those convictions extinguished.
Chair of GRAI (GLBTI Rights in Ageing Inc), David Gibson, said the introduction of the legislation marks an important milestone in recognising the harm caused by past policies that targeted homosexual service members.
“As a former Army officer who was discharged back in 1989 because of my sexuality, this is not just policy for me. It is personal,” Gibson said.
“Careers were lost. Reputations were damaged. Many former personnel carried that trauma quietly for decades.”
Gibson said the reforms reflect years of sustained advocacy by veterans, historians, and community organisations who refused to allow these injustices to be forgotten.
“Veterans shared their stories. Researchers documented the history. Community groups kept the issue alive when it would have been easier to let it fade,” he said.
GRAI joined the advocacy effort in 2024 following Mr Gibson’s attendance at the Pride in Defence event during the Midsumma Festival in Melbourne.
“Hearing the stories of other LGBTI veterans was a turning point. It made clear that recognition was not just overdue, it was essential,” he said.
Following that experience, GRAI began advocating directly with government, meeting with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs in 2024 and again recently to discuss the proposed legislative reforms.
Minister Keogh acknowledged the importance of the reforms during his Second Reading speech to Parliament.
“The extinguishment of historical homosexual service convictions is an important measure and a step in writing a historical wrong. This is a long time coming,” Minister Keogh said.
“These changes are a restorative legal change to help lessen the detriment associated and stigma imposed by former homophobic attitudes and practices reflected in such convictions.”
Mr Gibson said progress to date would not have been possible without the courage of veterans who shared their experiences with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
“Those veterans changed the conversation. They made it impossible for history to be ignored.”
While welcoming the reforms, Gibson said further work is required to ensure that personnel affected by administrative decisions are not left behind.
“Many removals from service happened through administrative decisions rather than criminal convictions,” he said.
“Those personnel experienced the same loss of career, reputation, and opportunity. They must not be left behind in the next stage of reform.”
GRAI remains the only organisation in Australia specifically focused on supporting the needs of older LGBTI people, many of whom are now ageing with the long-term consequences of historic harmful policies.
“For too long, older LGBTI people have been overlooked,” Gibson said.
“GRAI exists to make sure their voices are heard, their histories are recognised, and their experiences are not dismissed.”
David Gibson said a formal national apology from the Prime Minister to LGBTI veterans remains an essential next step.
“Legislation matters. Recognition matters just as much,” he said.
“A national apology from the Prime Minister would acknowledge the harm that was done and ensure it is never forgotten.”
With ANZAC Day approaching, this moment carries particular meaning for many former LGBTI personnel whose commitment to service was never in doubt.
“Many LGBTI Australians joined the Defence Force because they loved their country and wanted to serve,” Gibson said.
“For many, service ended not because they lacked ability or commitment, but because they were discovered, suspected, or forced to hide their lives, with some forced to resign and others living in silence, knowing authenticity came at a cost.”
“This ANZAC Day, we will remember those Australians who stepped forward to serve their country, only to be told they did not belong.”
