A transgender police officer says he was humbled to raise a rainbow flag outside Brisbane's police headquarters for the first time, but there is always more work to be done.
Constable Mairead Devlin, 22, said the symbolic gesture was the product of hard work within the organisation, including its LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) Support Network.
"I felt humbled and proud," the Caboolture-based officer said after raising the flag on Tuesday, which was International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Const Devlin, who joined Queensland Police Service (QPS) in 2013 and transitioned from female to male on the job, said he found a "staggering amount" of support.
"I'm yet to come across someone who has expressed a negative opinion of what I'm doing," he said.
"It's been really smooth sailing compared to what I expected."
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mike Condon said the event was a "historic and public demonstration" of support for the workforce's diverse nature.
"If we don't understand that diversity within the organisation, how can we better serve our people across the state?" he said.
Sergeant Michael Gardiner, the co-ordinator of the support network, described the flag ceremony as a "simple and minor thing" that would mean much more to LGBTI members of the QPS.
"They see this as a massive step forward for us for acceptance and I know it reflects the diversity and inclusiveness of the service," he said.
Asked about encounters with bigotry in or outside the workplace, Const Devlin agreed there was more work to be done, but said most negative attitudes came down to a lack of education.
Australian Christian Lobby Queensland director Wendy Francis has criticised QPS for engaging in "rainbow politics" and questioned whether it should be taking sides on issues such as same-sex marriage or the Safe Schools program.
Mr Condon said it had nothing to do with politics.
"This is about ensuring we're seen as a workplace of choice where people can join our organisation - regardless of who they are - and feel free to operate and act professionally as police officers to serve the community," he said.
The flag was also flown at the Queensland Ambulance Service headquarters and half-a-dozen council buildings, including in Brisbane City, Ipswich and Townsville.
The Sunshine Coast Council did not fly the flag, which prompted a small protest outside its office on Tuesday.
The council said its policy supported the flying of flags directed by the Commonwealth Flag Network service or council's corporate flag, but any move outside that would allow requests from many organisations.
