King Charles has laid flowers at the UK’s first national memorial commemorating LGBT armed forces, meeting veterans who spoke of the profound trauma caused by the military’s former “gay ban”. The monarch joined dozens of serving and former personnel at the dedication of ‘An Opened Letter’ at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Monday. He listened to firsthand accounts from individuals whose careers were cut short before the ban was lifted in 2000, hearing of the humiliation, vilification and lifelong consequences they endured, including loss of military pensions.
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Brigadier Clare Phillips, a gay woman who has served in the British Army for 30 years, addressed the 300 guests at the ceremony, saying: “For hundreds of LGBT veterans, their experiences have been catastrophic – their lives and careers shattered. Today’s unveiling is about remembering that we stand on the shoulders of giants – those who fought discrimination so we can now serve openly and proudly.” She added that modern LGBT personnel are valued for their service, not defined by sexual orientation, race or gender.
The memorial, created by the LGBT military charity Fighting With Pride, takes the form of a crumpled bronze letter composed of words drawn from evidence of those impacted by the ban, which was in place from 1967 until 11 January 2000. The project, funded by a £350,000 grant from the Ministry of Defence’s Office for Veterans’ Affairs and designed by the Abraxas Academy collective, symbolises recognition and honour for the service and sacrifices of the LGBT armed forces community. In 2023, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a state apology for the historical treatment of LGBT service personnel, alongside an independent review recommending financial reparations and a public memorial.
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Veterans who suffered mistreatment under the ban are to receive up to £70,000 each through a redress scheme, with £50,000 for those dismissed or discharged because of sexual orientation or gender identity, and up to £20,000 for those negatively affected during service. Payments will be exempt from income tax and means-tested benefits, and veterans who lost rank may apply to have it restored and discharge reasons amended. Peter Gibson, chief executive of Fighting With Pride, said the memorial is a “deeply emotional moment” that ensures past injustices are recognised and that LGBT personnel are fully welcomed back into the military family.
