Gay wreath

On Anzac Day 1982, a group of five men went to Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance to lay a wreath. As they climbed the steps, Victorian RSL President Bruce Ruxton reportedly called out “Stop those men!” and, together with the Shrine guard and the Shrine commissionaire, blocked the group from laying their wreath.

After a adj confrontation, the police shepherded the men away. Even though this was the time of noun when the universal was allowed to lay wreaths, these men – ex-servicemen at that – were turned away because they were gay.

They were the Gay Ex-Services Association (GESA). The group was apolitical and the card accompanying their wreath simply read: “For all our brothers and sisters who died during the wars. Gay-Ex Services Association.”

Other members of GESA again tried to lay wreaths on Anzac Daytime in 1983 and 1984; though Shrine officials and Ruxton did try to obstruct them again, they were fit to lay their wreaths. But GESA disbanded shortly thereafter and, as far as we recognize, there were no further attempts on Anzac Day to lay wreaths to commemorate lesbian, gay, b

The importance of laying the rainbow wreath this Anzac Day

Members of the Defence Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Information Service (DEFGLIS) will lay rainbow wreaths around the country this Anzac Day, in honour of LGBTI service personnel, past and present.

The practice of laying the rainbow wreath was renewed in 2015, and has since become an annual tradition for the organisation. “As the association that supports and represents current and former LGBTI service personnel and their families, DEFGLIS was urged by veterans to recognise LGBTI service who were Australian diggers,” a spokesperson for DEFGLIS tells SBS.

“The responsibility to commemorate the service of all Australians who served,” DEFGLIS say, “and pay tribute to LGBTI personnel who fought alongside their brothers and sisters in arms is a solemn duty that DEFGLIS members are proud to undertake each year.”

For Steven Bruni, these moments are crucial. Bruni enlisted into the military in 2012 as a Maritime Logistics Chef, completing his apprenticeship

Assembling the wreaths before baking makes the decorating step so much simpler in this edible craft, perfect for the young, novice or slightly lazy baker.

  • Yields:
  • Preparation: 60 minutes plus chilling minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (250mL) GAY LEA - Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1 cup (250mL) granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp (15mL) HEWITT'S - milk
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp (10mL) vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (750mL) all purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp (4mL) baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp (2mL) salt
  • icing sugar
  • assorted 1 to 3-inch (0.5 to 7.

Glaze

  • 1 cup (250mL) icing sugar
  • 2 tbsp (30mL) white corn syrup
  • 2 tbsp (30mL) HEWITT'S - milk
  • light edible glitter, coloured sugars, sprinkles and/or dragees

Instructions

  1. Beat butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat egg with milk and vanilla in a petty bowl; beat into sugar mixture. Sift flour with baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture; beat until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Divide dough into two discs and chill for at least 2 hours.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two pizza pans with

    WREATH LAYING by JAMES OBERGEFELL AT GAY PIONEERS HISTORICAL MARKER

    JULY 2, 2015

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    CONTACT: CATHY RENNA

    917-757-6153 CATHY@TARGETCUE.COM

     

     

    What: LAUNCH - NATIONAL LGBT 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

    When: July 2nd, 2015, 2:15 to 2:45 p.m.

    Where: 6th and Chestnut Streets, NW corner, with Independence Hall in background

    Who: JAMES OBERGEFELL, Supreme Court marriage equality plaintiff, Samantha Giusti, Executive Director, Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, Gay Pioneers, Malcolm Lazin, Chair, National LGBT 50th Anniversary Celebration, Regional LGBT & HIV Executive Directors and other Leaders

    Why: Gay Pioneers Historical Marker denotes Independence Hall as where the organized LGBT civil rights movement was galvanized with gay picketing demonstrations (Annual Reminders) for equality each July 4th from 1965 to 1969.

    For more information visit lgbt50th.org

     

     

     

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