Saluting pride and diversity in the service
When navy veteran and LGBTIQ+ advocate Rachael Cosgrove-White was medically separated from the Navy, she admits that her mental and physical health suffered.
‘To be a professional mariner for over half of your life and know that you had to say farewell to the high seas, I struggled,’ Rachel explained. ‘It took about 8 months before I could even talk about what could be next without coming to tears.’
These days, Rachael has both feet firmly planted on dry land and is committed to helping other veterans and current ADF personnel, including those from the LGBTIQ+ community and their families, to overcome life’s challenges.
She actively encourages them to seek free military-aware mental health support from Open Arms.
‘Statistically, we know that LGBTIQ+ people are exposed to a higher risk of suffering depression, anxiety and suicidality then the rest of the population,’ Rachael said.
Now a Veteran Engagement Adviser with the Repatriation Commission and President of the Defence LGBTI Information Service, Rachael understands from her days in the service why her community may be reluctant to seek help.
‘I went back “in the closet” when I first joined for my own protection, but then I asked myself how I could build strong relationships if people around me didn’t know the real, authentic me,’ she said. ‘As an out gay woman it was hard, I was unsure who I could trust and even if I was going to find my people.’
With many years of lived experience behind her, Rachael hopes more veterans and current serving members from the LGBTIQ+ community will take that first step and reach out to Open Arms for support.
‘An LGBTIQ+ person must disclose so many details before they even get to the “why am I here?” question,’ she said. ‘This can be very daunting for people, even when they know they need help. We need all of our gender diverse families, individuals and those yet to know who they are to see that they can and do fit in everywhere.’
It doesn’t matter who you are, Open Arms offers free military-aware mental health support to anyone who’s served 1 day in the ADF, along with their immediate families.
Ben’s journey of gender transition
Navigating a career in the Navy as a transgender man has not been smooth sailing for Ben, or his mental health.
‘It has been a path paved with a lot of gravel along the way,’ Ben said. ‘In the beginning, I experienced a lot of stress, anxiety and trauma and felt very isolated.’
Ben initially joined the Navy as a woman and decided to transition with the support of a psychologist.
‘Back then, it was not an easy process,’ he said. ‘I didn’t know anyone in the LGBTIQ+ community and felt segregated in many ways from the Navy community. After my surgery, I stayed ashore for many years and my career progression was held up because of this.’
During some of his most challenging times, Ben sought help from Open Arms, where he felt 100 per cent supported:
‘In the beginning I was carrying a lot of trauma and felt like no-one cared. I had also experienced a lot of bullying, so it was good to have someone listen to what I had been through and offer understanding and support. Even though they hadn’t lived my experience, I knew they cared about helping me to feel less stressed and anxious and to embrace who I am.’
Rachael Cosgrove-White at the 2024 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. (Image: Defence)