His Majesty the King laid a wreath at a new memorial to LGBT+ armed forces veterans – in recognition of thousands who were dismissed, bullied and hounded out of service over their sexuality
King Charles laid flowers at a new memorial to LGBT+ armed forces veterans today, in recognition of former servicemen and women affected by the ban on service.
It’s the first time His Majesty the King has taken part in an LGBT event in an official capacity.
The ban, which remained in place until 2000 – long after homosexuality was decriminalised – saw thousands dismissed from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF. Many of them were hounded, bullied, outed against their will or even imprisoned because of their sexuality.
People who served their country with distinction lost their careers, ranks and medals – and many were left with lifelong mental health issues as a result.
For many years the Mirror has supported Fighting With Pride’s campaign for LGBT Veterans to get the recognition, support and compensation they deserve.
It was an emotional day for the more than 100 current and former members of the armed forces attending the dedication service alongside the monarch, and the culmination of years of campaigning by LGBT veterans charity Fighting with Pride.
Claire Ashton, a trans woman who served as a gunner in the Royal Artillery was bullied throughout her career, before being dismissed on unspecified medical grounds in 1972.
Claire Ashton on the importance of the LGBT armed forces memorial
Visibly moved after seeing the finished memorial this morning, she told the Mirror: “It’s just …in 25 years a litte boy or girl could come here and see the memorial and think …”I could join”.
“I actually got hold of a spade and helped to dig the first hole,” Claire said. “It’s been 53 years for me. It’s not vindication. It’s a relief. A closing of a chapter, and more importantly the opening of a new one.”
“Having King Charles here today is going to be really significant,” said Carl Austin-Behan, an award-winning RAF firefighter dismissed in 1997 for being gay. “When we all join up, we sign an oath of allegiance to the King, or at the time, the Queen. And when we were dismissed, it was under Queen’s Regulations. I think that having King Charles here with us shows how far we’ve come in a relatively short time.”
“I was told at the time that I could go to prison, in 1997, for six months” he added. “People have lost their jobs, people have taken their own lives, people have lost everything and made homeless. You’ve lost your careers, you’ve lost everything because of your sexuality, in a world where 25 years later having that conversation seems quite barbaric.”
Commander Roly Woods, Fighting With Pride’s Memorial Officer, served in the Royal Navy for 46 years until his retirement last year – half of which was under the ban, half of which after it was scrapped.
“I’ve seen both sides of the fence,” he said. “I was one of the lucky ones. I got away with it. I was challenged one time at sea by my captain and had to lie on the spot. But a lot of the veterans went through some horrendous times.”
Roly Woods on his role in creating the LGBT armed forces memorial
He said it was “hugely important” for the King to attend the ceremony.
“The sovereign is the head of the armed forces. For him to be here is a huge statement representing that the state has acknowledged how badly treated people were. We had the apology from the Prime Minister and the government, having the king here effectively seals that apology and represents the progress made.
The Band of the Irish Guard played Queen, Lady Gaga and ABBA songs as veterans arrived at the memorial, nestled between hawthorne trees in a sun-dappled glade at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The sculpture is shaped like an opened letter, which represents personal letters which were used to discredit and incriminate serving personnel – and in some cases led to prosecution and imprisonment.
Speaking at the ceremony, Brigadier Clare Phillips said: “My career has taken me from a life of secrecy, fear, and darkness to a career of pride, openness, and joy.
“Instead of hiding myself away, looking over my shoulder, and living in the shadows, I feel celebrated and supported for my whole authentic self, with my contribution valued, my family welcomed, and my presence celebrated.”
She added: “For today’s LGBT personnel, we are not defined by sexual orientation, race, or gender. But by our service, to our nation. And this memorial ensures that we will always honour those who went before us, who served, suffered, and sacrificed.
“It also provides a permanent reminder of the need to protect our progress. to ensure that our future is marked not by division but by acceptance, love, and unwavering support. Diversity is not a compromise. Our armed forces are stronger because of the inclusion that allows talent to thrive, leadership to flourish, and integrity to prevail.
Louise Sandher-Jones, the minister for Veterans and People, said it was a “significant day” for LGBT veterans – and she hoped the memorial would encourage more of those affected by the ban but have yet to come forward to do so.
“When you’re in the military, you’re part of a family,” she said. “You really want to serve. And to be made to leave in those circumstances, just for being who you are is a hugely traumatic process. And I know that there are those who are still coming to terms with that journey that they’ve made. But I would encourage anybody who was affected to come forward.”
Veterans who were discharged under the ban can apply for financial restoration, as well as an impact scheme for people who suffered particular hurt. Veterans who were stripped of their rank and medals can apply to have those restored.
“We have a number of schemes for restoration. So, we have the financial restoration scheme, which is for those that were discharged, and we also have the impact scheme for those that suffered particular hurt. And a number of non-financial measures, which I know from many will be just support, such a restoration of rank, medals, for example.
“And I would urge anybody who is entitled to that, in your own time, but do please come forward.”