The rainbow, the cross and the crescent clash in the Australian Defence Force

·         Shortly before this, the Australian Democrats announced that this officer was a member of their party, using his military rank, and stating that he would lead the Army’s Mardi Gras contingent.

·         The CDF approved participation in the Mardi Gras, despite its sexually-explicit nature and constitution stating that political activity is a key object of the parade. ADF personnel marched with Labor, the Greens, Australian Marriage Equality and the Wikileaks Party, as well as groups of almost entirely naked men from organisations such as Body Electric Inc and the Sydney Leather Pride Association, whose official parade description stated that they were ‘perverts’. Defence members joined with these groups parading past children. This marks the first time that Defence has officially joined a political rally in Australia and it did so during heated debate over homosexual marriage and a Royal Commission into child sexual abuse.

·         ADF personnel also marched with groups who insulted Christians, carrying signs stating that ‘Jesus is Gay’. This is hypocritical when contrasted with the ADF’s concern not to offend those who revere the Islamic religion. When I complained, I was informed that there was no evidence that Defence participation was offensive to me or any other Christians.

·         The Chief of Army’s transgender speechwriter, Lieutenant Colonel Cate McGregor, publicly denigrated Catholic beliefs and called my father (a full-time serving officer) and I “failures” on Twitter. The message was addressed to the CDF.

·         Comments from this officer on a Catholic blog included statements asking if “cattleman was your occupation or your sexual preference” and were signed off with the words “Cate McGregor AM – suck on that f*ckwit”.

·         Lieutenant Colonel McGregor was counselled after the ADF found these statements breached unacceptable behaviour policy. As a comparison, I am facing termination even though all investigations have cleared me. Furthermore, I have received no apology, nor any acknowledgment from Defence that these actions were unacceptable. Since then this officer has given numerous uniformed media interviews detailing his close friendship with the Chief of Army and claiming his full support, while continuing to refer to me as an ‘online bully’.