Yvonne Sillett was forced out of the army for being a lesbian

Come Out Wherever You Are with Sean Szeps

Imagine you're a young girl dreaming of serving in the Australian Army. Then, it becomes your reality. You have your dream job now. And a few years into your service, you fall in love with one of your colleagues. Harmless, really. Except... it's the 1970's. And that colleague is another woman. This was the reality for Yvonne Sillett who served in the Corps of Signals in the Australian Army for 10 years before she was forced out due to her sexuality. On today's episode, Yvonne talks with Sean about keeping her sexuality a secret, the day she learned she would have to leave the army and her current advocacy work which brought her to testify at the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Her mission? Get an apology from the Albanese government. Yvonne is the President of the Discharged LGBTI Veterans' Association. Find out more: https://dlvainfo.com/about/ Learn more about Yvonne's story at the 'Defending with Pride' exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne: https://www.shrine.org.au/defending-pride Yvonne was interviewed for the book 'Pride in Defence' https://www.mup.com.au/books/pride-in-defence-paperback-softback Follow us on Instagram: @comeoutwhereveryouare Email us: [e-mail] If this episode brought up any feelings for you or you want more information, these resources may help you: Open Arms provides free 24-hour counselling for veterans and their families. Their number is 1800 011 046 QLife: Call 1800 184 527 for a free phone service every day from 3pm – midnight. Visit their website www.qlife.org.au for a free webchat Minus18: Australia’s LGBTQIA+ charity. Follow them on social @minus18youth or visit their website on www.minus18.org.au for resources, events and training for your school or workplace Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 for 24-hour crisis supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.