King Charles will lay flowers at the UK’s first national memorial commemorating LGBT armed forces personnel and meet veterans who were affected by the military’s former gay ban.
Charles is set to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire today, during the unveiling of the Government-funded public tribute.
LGBT military charity Fighting With Pride said the sculpture represents a ‘powerful step forward in recognising and honouring the service and sacrifices’ of the LGBT armed forces community after their historic mistreatment.
The statue is comprised of crumpled bronze letters, made of words taken in evidence from personnel impacted by the ban between 1967 to 2000.
Under the policy, members of the armed forces who were – or were thought to be – gay or transgender were subjected to brutal interrogation and dismissal.
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.
The King, who serves as head of the armed forces, will dedicate the memorial to all LGBT people who have served and continue to serve in the military.
He will hear speeches from serving personnel and an address from Ed Hall, chairman of Fighting With Pride, which oversaw the construction and design, and spearheaded efforts to get justice for veterans.
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After the ceremony in Alrewas, the King will meet LGBT veterans, including those impacted by the discrimination, and also serving personnel.
Claire Ashton, who served in the Royal Artillery, said her ‘dream career’ was ruined when she was forced out of the Army in 1972, aged 21.
She said: ‘This is a moment I never believed would happen, a moment full of meaning and, finally, of pride.
‘I’m in my 70s now and have forever lived with the psychological scars of being kicked out – ‘medically discharged’, as it was labelled on my records.’
‘I was punished for being myself. It means so much to be with others who’ve been through similar nightmares to me and, like me, are making peace with the past.’
Sharon Pickering, who served in the Royal Navy before being dismissed in 1991, said: ‘For me, it feels like being welcomed back into a family I missed so much.
‘It’s a place where I can stand tall again, knowing that my service is finally seen and valued.’
In 2023, then-prime minister Rishi Sunak apologised on behalf of the British state for the ‘horrific’ historical treatment of LGBT people who served in the military, after an independent review set out 49 recommendations, including financial reparations and a public memorial.
The review heard shocking accounts of homophobia, bullying, blackmail, sexual assaults, ‘disgraceful’ medical examinations and conversion therapy.
Reparations being made to LGBTQ service members forced out
In December 2023, it was announced that veterans who suffered mistreatment under the ban will receive up to £70,000 each as part of the redress scheme.
Veterans who were dismissed or discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identity are to receive £50,000.
Personnel who were “negatively affected” by the ban during their time in the service between 1967 and 2000 will be given up to another £20,000, the ministry said.
The payments will be exempt from income tax and means-tested benefits.
Veterans who lost their rank as a result can apply to have their rank restored and discharge reason amended, ministers said.
The memorial has been funded by a £350,000 grant from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs at the Ministry of Defence, having been designed by the Abraxas Academy collective of artists.
Peter Gibson, chief executive officer of Fighting With Pride, said: ‘It’s a deeply emotional moment, expressing in physical form that what happened to them should never have taken place – and equally, but crucially – must never be allowed to happen again.
‘The devastation and destruction caused by people expressing their love cut short successful careers and, in some cases, ended lives.’
Mr Gibson said: ‘Today is a klaxon call that signals shame can be cast aside and everyone who wants it is welcomed back into their military family.’
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