Twenty years ago, a Canberra doctor dedicated to helping those with AIDS was murdered at his home in Gundaroo, and the offence was tallied up as a gay hate crime.
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It was as a result of this murder that the Australian Federal Police introduced GLLO, gay and lesbian liaison officers.
The AFP released a damning landmark gender and inclusion review last Tuesday highlighting "pervasive" sexual harassment and bullying in the organisation.
However, for the past two decades the GLLO network has aimed to provide an inclusive and supportive environment, advocating for LGBTI members of the AFP and ACT Policing.
ACT Policing Superintendent Cath Grassick has been a member of the police force for 32 years. This year marks her sixth year as a GLLO member.
Superintendent Grassick said she had always been "openly out" in the organisation, but never made a big deal out of it.
"Most people can tell just by looking at me. I fit some traditional stereotypes; short hair, I've got tattoos up both arms, I don't look like your traditional police officer in that regard."
She said although most of her experiences in the organisation had been positive, there had been some negative ones as well.
"The AFP is a reflection of society so I have experienced incidences that I have also experienced in general society."
Superintendent Grassick said her daughter, now 15, had inspired her to do more in her workplace to promote an inclusive society.
"My daughter is quite a strong contributor and involved in the Safe Schools program at [her school].
"It really brought it home to me in the last few years. I thought, if my daughter can do this in her school, and be focused on these issues, I should be doing more in my workplace. It did push me a lot more and I was getting inspiration from her in that regard."
That inspiration was part of what led to ACT Policing flying the rainbow flag outside stations for the first time this year, in recognition of the day against homophobia.
Superintendent Grassick said the police force prided itself on being a true representation and reflection of the community.
Changes during the past few years have meant they were working towards being more and more inclusive.
"I always think it's important to show we're just members of the community as well, and break down some of those old walls that were probably there, from what I saw when I first joined many years ago," she said.
Even though the recent report was dire, Superintendent Grassick said the AFP had systems in place to deal with the problems.
"The report identified, however, some areas that we can do things better so we are looking to strengthen our current approaches," she said.
The GLLO network has more than 250 members and many more supporters. It is a unique network in that any police employee can become involved, including those who don't identify as LGBTI.
