A thank you from the Defence Industry Organisation.

On June 6, 2019 I received a letter from DIO Strategy & Planning Director, Major General NJ Cavanagh, thanking me for my presentation at the DIO Lived Experience Conference at the Signing Tree, Birmingham on Tuesday 21 May 2019.

His letter read:

"Thank you very much for delivering such an informative and thought-provoking presentation at the DIO Lived Experience Conference at the Signing Tree, Birmingham on Tuesday 21 May. It was extremely encouraging to hear your lived personal experience particularly the contrast between pre and post 2000 when living through the military LGBT ban.
Thank you for sharing your personal journey and showing how MOD has become a more inclusive environment for you and how your colleagues supported you as an individual throughout.
We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the conference and I believe your presentation contributed greatly to its success. I am grateful for the time and effort you took to share your thoughts and experiences.
Once again, thank you for your contribution."

I consider myself privileged to be able to contribute to important events such as this. If you would like me to make a presentation at one of your events please don't hesitate to contact me.

send an email to alastair@thediversitycompany.com.au to learn more

Member of the British Empire (MBE)

See the citation, warrant and congratulations presented to Sergeant Alastair Smith on being awarded the MBE in the 2023 New Year's Honours list.

Thanks from the MACE Group

In April 2021 I received a letter from Mace Group Senior Project Manager, Tom Plater, thanking us for our support of their LGBT+ History Month Event.

Living with OCD

People with OCD struggle to contain or dismiss their intrusive thoughts and it becomes hyper focused, their brain lacks the capacity to tell them “That won’t happen” and they fear it will, often in violent ways or thoughts that harm will come to themselves or, even worse, people they love.

Pride Month pitfalls

I have been a spokesperson for equality for a long time and for an even longer time I have been a soldier. Balancing my sexuality and my service is a story for another time, however, I always think back to how robust and resilient I was.

Alastair Smith receives an MBE