Michael Barnett OAM

An acknowledgement of his tireless work within his community over very many years is how Michael Barnett OAM thinks about his nomination for an honour within the Order of Australia.

“My efforts must have made an impact,” he says.

Motivated by “the relentless and pointless homophobic and transphobic intolerance” he sees and has experienced; Mr Barnett is concerned about the resulting alarming rates of suicide and mental health issues arising in vulnerable young people.

“It destroys families and communities.”

However, he says that there has been change. “Over the years of my advocacy and activism I have seen Melbourne’s Jewish community become a beacon of LGBTIQ+ inclusion.”

He thanks his husband Gregory for his guidance and belief in him, and his family for their unconditional love.