Kai Noonan OAM

Kai Noonan OAM says their life’s work has been influenced by “a really strong sense of right and wrong”.  

“I work with communities to try to raise awareness and education that violence does happen in LGBTIQ+ communities,” Kai says.  

“My work is to make sure that people who do experience violence in this community get the help and support they need and deserve. 

“My values mean I’ve chosen not to turn away from violence, but to really face it and to contribute to seeing a reduction or an end in it.” 

For their work, Kai was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the LGBTIQ+ community, and to the domestic and family wellbeing sector.  

Kai is Director of Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Prevention at LGBTIQ+ Health Australia and was previously the Director of Client Operations at the Women and Girls Emergency Centre.  

They are also a member of the 1800RESPECT National Sector Advisory Group, the National Women’s Safety Alliance and the National Centre for Child Sexual Abuse.  

They have worked in the sexual, domestic and family violence sector for 15 years.  

Prior to their current work, Kai says they spent years working in frontline services for refugees, and other crisis work.  

They hope this recognition within the Order of Australia draws more attention to a cause they are so passionate about.  

“You don’t work in this area for money, you don’t do it for glory. It sometimes takes a very real toll,” Kai says.  

“I do it because I believe that it’s the right thing to do … and I would like people to be aware of it and have conversations about violence in LGBTIQ+ communities.  

“So, if receiving this award means one, two, three, four people are going to hear about it … it might cause them to check on their friends, who might check on their family, and they might be able to offer the support that professionals aren’t always able to offer.”