Chief Petty Officer Elisabeth Hudson describes herself as a “late bloomer” having not fully realised her sexuality until going through a divorce six years ago, when she noticed feelings for her long-time friend were something more.
“All of a sudden, things just clicked,” Chief Petty Officer Elisabeth Hudson said.
They began a relationship, and in the early stages she questioned why she didn’t realise this earlier.
“Everything made sense, it was a coming home sort of thing, like a point of realisation.”
In 2023, Chief Petty Officer Hudson and her now wife were married in Queenstown, New Zealand, in front of 65 of their Australian and New Zealand friends.
Chief Petty Officer Hudson joined Navy as a cryptologic linguist when she was 17, eager for a challenge while having financial security.
“It was more about seeking stability and having experiences that were meaningful, rather than going to university without a clear goal,” she said.
Chief Petty Officer Hudson and her wife try to get involved in the Sydney Mardi Gras (on March 4 this year) each year.
“Personally, it’s about celebration with friends. Professionally, it’s about raising visibility and awareness within the Defence. Mardi Gras is fun, full of energy and it’s a welcoming event,” she said.
