Our Patrons
Equality Australia is supported by a diverse group of patrons from across the community. They are distinguished by their exemplary work in the fields of LGBTIQ+ advocacy, law, human rights, the arts, health, sports or business
Courtney Act
He/Him & She/Her
Boy, Girl, Artist, Advocate. Courtney Act is more than just the sum of her parts. Courtney has been a visible queer face in the mainstream for over 20 years with groundbreaking appearances on Australian Idol, RuPauls Drag Race, Celebrity Big Brother UK, & Dancing With The Stars.
As a patron of Equality Australia Courtney says “I love the opportunity of using my platform to bring attention to the work Equality Australia do. I love the practical, action based approach they take in changing minds and legislation through their front footed approach."
Tony Briffa
She/Her
Tony has been an LGBTIQ+ activist for over 25 years and is especially known for her intersex human rights work at Intersex Peer Support Australia and Intersex Human Rights Australia,
Tony is an intersex woman (as well as being queer with trans and non-binary lived experience) and was subjected to numerous non-consensual and medically unnecessary surgical and hormonal interventions and intimate examinations as a child and young person.
Deborah Cheetham, AO
She/Her
Deborah Cheetham, Yorta Yorta woman, soprano, composer and educator, has been a leader and pioneer in the Australian arts landscape for more than 25 years.
In the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Cheetham was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), for “distinguished service to the performing arts as an opera singer, composer and artistic director, to the development of Indigenous artists, and to innovation in performance”.
The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
He/Him
In 1996 he was appointed a Justice of the High Court of Australia, a position he held until 2009. He has served in many United Nations and other posts concerned with universal human rights.
Since 1969, he has lived with his partner Johan van Vloten and they married on the 50th anniversary of their first meeting, in February 2019. Since his engagement with national and international activities in the HIV pandemic, he has been open about his sexuality.
Kylie Kwong AM
She/Her
Kylie is an Australian-Chinese chef who uses food as a catalyst for positive social impact and cultural exchange. She recently hung up her restaurateur hat after 24 years to focus on driving social change through wider arts, cultural and community projects including her role as an Associate for Powerhouse Parramatta.
Kylie, who married her partner Nell in 2019, has an Order of Australia Medal for Services to the Hospitality Industry and Community and was named as one of the Sydney WorldPride’s 45 Rainbow Champions.
“The constant question that underpins my practice as a cook and a creative is how our intentions, words and actions can drive positive social change.”
