Dee Quigley

Delia Quigley joined the AFP in 1983 and has worked in Melbourne, Sydney & Canberra in a variety of roles.

During the past 10 years she has undertaken a corporate citizenship role as a Gay & Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO). Dee wrote the AFP GLLO training package along with workshops on Sexuality & Health. She is a volunteer at the A.C.T. AIDS Action Council and has co-facilitated core training for volunteers on diversity & sexuality. Dee has conducted presentation and workshops on the AFP GLLO network at national & international conferences.

In 2003 The Australasian Council for Women in Policing (ACWAP) awarded Dee for outstanding achievement in 'Improving Policing for the Gay & Lesbian Community'.

Dee has also undertaken 6 overseas deployments. In 2008, Dee commanded a United Nations Policing Sector in Sth Kordofan Sudan, where she was able to positively impact upon improvements for Women, Children & People Living with HIV.

She has written a number of articles for Australian Policing Journals and also conducted presentations on Women in Peacekeeping. She is a life member of the Australasian Council of Women and Policing (ACWAP), and is current Chair of the AFP GLLO network executive committee.

Why have you chosen to represent this same-sex law reform campaign?

As Chair of The AFP Gay & Lesbian Liaison Officer network, I feel that it is important to educate the community on law reforms that remove inequality and ensure equal treatment.

What sorts of same-sex discrimination have you as / anyone you know experienced?

As a young woman coming to terms with my sexuality I experienced difficulty in my former workplace. Thankfully that workplace has changed & my current employer is completely supportive. I often receive contact from people seeking advice regarding homophobia & discrimination in their workplace

How do you think these reforms will make a difference to your life, or to the lives of those close to you?

Law reforms that provide for greater recognition and rights of any diverse or minority group is important. We must move towards fulfilling the human rights of each individual within all minority groups.

Why do you think people should wear these 85 law reforms with pride?

There should be pride in recognition of the changes that had been long overdue. Many in the GLBTI community have battled long-term for change, the implementation shouldn’t be a whimper but a wonderful celebration.

Why do you think this is a huge step forward for Australia?

It is important for Australia to move forward through legislative changes. We can’t just talk the talk, we have to walk the walk change starts in our own backyard and our pacific neighbours do watch.

What do you like about your T-Shirt design?

I love it ! I think the design is wonderful and that the thoughts of designer Jonathan Zawada are so true! Sexual orientation should be irrelevant when it comes to the rights of those that are employed in public office, what does count is how you contribute!

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

As Chair of a network of nearly 200 AFP staff that are Gay & Lesbian Liaison Officers, trained to deal with LGBTI issues, I am proud to have been invited to be part of this campaign. I am also proud the AFP is a foundation member of Pride in Diversity and we are forging key partnerships with other agencies to improve workplaces for GLBTI employees.

DEE QUIGLEY