King Charles unveils UK’s first LGBTQ armed forces memorial
Thousands were investigated, discharged or forced to leave careers because of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity
King Charles has laid flowers at the UK’s first national memorial commemorating LGBTQ armed forces and met veterans who spoke of the trauma inflicted by the military’s former “gay ban”.
Charles, the commander-in-chief of the British armed forces, was joined by dozens of serving and former members of the forces at the dedication of the government-funded memorial, titled An Opened Letter, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
A bronze sculpture, it resembles a crumpled free-standing letter containing words from personal messages that were used as evidence to incriminate individuals.
It was the king’s first official engagement in support of the LGBTQ community.
He talked to a number of those who had their military careers cut short before the ban was lifted in 2000 – 33 years after male homosexuality was partially decriminalised in England and Wales – who told of the humiliation and vilification they have lived with since.
Thousands of people were investigated, discharged or forced to leave their careers because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity and faced lifelong consequences, including being vilified by family and friends, and losing access to their military pensions.