Rainbow light plans for Shrine of Remembrance draw criticism

A planned rainbow illumination of the Shrine, to honour gay and queer military members, has been criticised as “a gay billboard”.

A plan to light up the Shrine of Remembrance in rainbow colours for the first time to honour LGBTQI+ servicemen and women has been denounced as divisive and inappropriate.

Rainbow colours will be projected on to the Shrine colonnades at dusk this Sunday following a Last Post service in commemoration of the contribution of gay and queer military members.

The event will mark the opening of the Shrine’s Defending with Pride exhibit, which will run for a year from August 1, charting the history of LGBTQI+ people’s military service.

The rainbow flag was “divisive” and was a misuse of the sacred Shrine building, 3AW host Neil Mitchell said.

“No disrespect to the gay community but the rainbow flag can be divisive,” Mitchell said.

“It’s not the role of the Shrine to be leading that debate, the Shrine should be above politics and political debate.”

Mitchell railed against Sunday’s planned light display, saying the Shrine would be “lit up like a gay billboard”.

Veterans’ advocate and former Hawthorn RSL president Lucas Moon said it was important to recognise the contribution of LGBTQI+ servicepeople but the Shrine was not the appropriate building to be lit up in rainbow colours.

“We saw the Shrine mistreated when we were locked up during Covid – for the first time, we saw it used as a protest site during the anti-lockdown protests,” Mr Moon said.

“It appears now that the Shrine, which stands well above any person or cause, is being used for political purposes.

“I don’t think the veteran community has been consulted at all, let alone the LGBTI parts of the veteran community.”

Veteran and former Hawthorn RSL president Lucas Moon says the Shrine should not be used for political purposes. Picture: Rob Leeson.

It was vital to acknowledge the shocking historical mistreatment of gay defence members, but other buildings such as Parliament House were more suitable locations to be illuminated, Mr Moon said.

“I have no doubt in the 70s and 80s there was some horrendous behaviour in Defence towards gay and lesbian members,” he said.

“But it’s 2022 and the LGBTI community in defence … it’s a non-issue.

“People forget the military was the first place to recognise defacto relationships that were same-sex.”

The Shrine was the sole building in Victoria that should not be used for political purposes, Mr Moon said.

Shrine of Remembrance chief executive Dean Lee said the rainbow projection on the colonnades was consistent with the building’s “enduring purpose” of honouring service and sacrifice.

“We use our building and our lighting to communicate stories which we feel are relevant to our purpose and relevant to the citizens of Melbourne,” Mr Lee said.

“I question whether the gay pride flag and colours continue to be divisive — the ADF has recognised gay, lesbian and bisexual members since 1992 … I don’t know that it’s that divisive within the defence community.”

RSL Victoria was not “specifically consulted” on the plans to honour the LGBTQI+ community with rainbow lighting, Mr Lee said.

“The RSL is a close partner of the Shrine and they’re aware of our programming initiatives,” Mr Lee said.

“They are aware that one of the exhibitions being promoted this year is the Defending with Pride service, but they were not specifically asked about the illumination.”

The Shrine has also been illuminated this year along with other major Melbourne buildings to honour police officers and the assassinated former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.

Mr Lee bristled at Mitchell’s likening of the rainbow projection to displaying a McDonald’s ad on the building.

“We would never, ever allow any advertising on the building or any commercial use of the building,” he said.

Exhibition advisory group member and military historian Noah Riseman said the display recognised the selfless service of gay military members despite the oppression they faced at home.

CEO of the Shrine of Remembrance Dean Lee says said the rainbow projection is consistent with the building’s ‘enduring purpose’ of honouring service. Picture: David Crosling

“This exhibition highlights the service LGBTQ+ Australians gave to their country, even when the country said they were not welcome,” Prof Riseman said.

“It showcases LGBTQ+ service members’ achievements amid adversity and how, over time, the ADF has changed its tune to embrace the strengths that LGBTQ+ service members bring to the force.”

Defending with Pride curator Kate Spinks said the exhibit was an attempt to help correct a longstanding under-representation of gay people in the armed forces.

“I am honoured to have worked with the participants and advisory group to help present their stories and experiences,” Ms Spinks said.

“I am also proud that Melbourne’s Shrine is recognising and celebrating the history and service of LGBTQ+ people, something that has traditionally been absent or under-represented within Australia’s war memorials.”