Rachel Cook and Iain Clacher
with Andrew Shaw
Two founding members of the Gay and Lesbian Police
Employees Network (GALPEN) have been awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM).
Senior Sergeant Joy Lynette Murphy and Inspector Jillian Wood were awarded the medal for distinguished service by a member of an Australian
police force in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Murphy started GALPEN with fellow
officers David Truman and Jill Wood after she was outed by colleagues in 1992.
“I feel very honoured and somewhat humbled," Murphy said of the award.
“[GALPEN] came about because we saw a number of
people being hurt, and at that point there wasn’t much support in Victoria
Police to help people who were being bullied and discriminated against.
“There were some people who were pretty
high up who had very poor attitudes, and we challenged them.”
GALPEN co-founder Inspector Jill Wood said she believed her APM was recognition for 35 years' service as a champion of women in the force, and more recently for her involvement in Koorie programs.
Wood said GALPEN had made a positive contribution to changing the culture within Victoria Police.
"When GALPEN was set up, we were concerned about the police
not being supportive of gay and lesbian officers," she told MCV.
"Now the culture has changed. Gay and lesbian members feel
much safer about coming out, attending functions and taking their partners."
Wood said Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon's participation in the 2002 Pride March, the first time ever for Victoria Police, was "an amazing symbol".
"It showed that she supported us."
Also recognised in the Queen's Honours was academic and
author Dennis Altman, who was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
“I think
having attention called to oneself is always slightly embarrassing," Altman said, "even for
someone like me who is a bit of an exhibitionist.”
Curiously, the official citation that explains the reason for the award does
not mention Altman’s pioneering and enduring contribution to gay sexual
politics.
“The most significant books I’ve written have been on sexual politics, and
that’s not reflected adequately in the citation,” Altman said.
“Apparently the press release on the awards didn’t even go to the gay press. I
think that’s quite revealing. I’m very grateful the gay press is taking it up.”
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