Shelley Argent
Diversity and Inclusion Advocate
Shelley Argent is the former National Spokesperson for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in Australia and one of the most successful and effective educationalists, advocates and lobbyists for the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans (LGBTIQ) people.
Shelley has always had penchant for human rights generally, social justice and equality in the community and over the years has come to realise the more you do, the more there is to be done.
Shelley holds a Social Science degree majoring in Child and Family, and in early 1998, she became an education volunteer with the Queensland AIDS Council (QAC). She completed further studies in HIV/AIDS education and emotional support and assisted QAC’s publicity campaigns.
Seeking new challenges, Shelley began looking for ways to support families and came across the Brisbane PFLAG group. Shelley became PFLAG’s driving force, for many years writing the first of many educational and support booklets.
Shelley has also written and produced many of the PFLAG resources on the website www.pflagbrisbane.org.au as well as Opening the Door, a book sharing her family’s personal coming out story and a second book called Just a Mum about how her early life, gave her the strength to advocate for her gay son’s rights.
Shelley has been an active volunteer in her local community since 1982 and in the LGBTIQ community since 1998.
Shelley has lobbied both State and Federal Government for the rights of LGBTIQ people since 2000.
She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM) in the 2006 Australia Day honours for service to the community through raising awareness of issues of acceptance, support and equality for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex and support for their families.
Shelley was awarded Queensland Senior Australian in 2011.
Shelley is also very keen to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young adults to succeed. She feels the best way this can be achieved is to provide educational costs and personal support. Shelley believes support is not just about money but showing personal interest and providing guidance when needed. Shelley has supported several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young adults across Australia with the hope they will go on to future success and motivate the people in their local area.
