King Charles is scheduled to visit the inaugural memorial honoring LGBT armed forces members today, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The unveiling ceremony of a bronze sculpture named “An Opened Letter” will highlight the impact of the ‘gay ban’ within the UK military, which criminalized homosexuality in the armed forces until as late as 2000. Approximately 20,000 military personnel faced imprisonment, dismissal, or involuntary disclosure before the ban was lifted, leading to enduring mental health challenges due to severe bullying.
The sculpture, designed in the shape of an opened letter, symbolizes the personal letters used to discredit and incriminate serving individuals, sometimes resulting in prosecution and incarceration. Leading the initiative for a permanent memorial is Fighting with Pride, an LGBT Armed Forces charity, aiming to acknowledge and rectify the injustices faced by former military members.
Peter Gibson, the CEO of the charity, expressed the significance of the new memorial in addressing past wrongs and ensuring such discrimination never recurs. Testimonials from individuals like Claire Aston, a former Army Royal Artillery member, underscore the emotional impact and symbolic importance of the memorial in acknowledging and reconciling with past traumas.
The memorial, created by Norfolk-based artist collective Abraxas Academy following a design competition victory, serves as a year-round space for remembrance and contemplation for current and future LGBT+ military personnel alongside their families. Lord Etherington’s condemnation of the historical discrimination within the Armed Forces, and the subsequent official apology and compensation offered by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, further emphasize the significance of the memorial in acknowledging and rectifying past injustices.
Former RAF member Carl Austin-Behan shared his poignant reflections on the memorial, highlighting the secrecy and discrimination faced during his service. He expressed hope that the memorial will spark crucial dialogues on the dangers of discrimination. The unveiling of the UK’s first LGBT+ armed forces memorial is seen as a pivotal step towards fostering inclusivity and understanding within the broader community.