Leading by example

When Elizabeth Ashburn went public about being a lesbian 30 years ago, she set an example for women too frightened to express their sexuality.

She went on to inspire lesbian scholars and students as an art academic and co-president of the Australian Centre for Lesbian and Gay Research. Today, she advocates for lesbian health as a world-class athlete.

For her work over more than three decades, Ashburn was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours