In a historic moment, King Charles III has dedicated a new memorial at the United Kingdom’s National Memorial Arboretum to honor LGBTQ+ military service members. This memorial acknowledges both the current LGBTQ+ members of the armed forces and those who suffered under the military's previous ban on LGBTQ+ personnel.
The memorial, aptly named "An Opened Letter," is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ service members. It incorporates words from the very evidence used against servicemembers during the investigations when the ban was enforced. The memorial concludes with a powerful message: "embrace our diversity & fight for our country."
A Place for Reflection and Remembrance
The website for the memorial describes it as a place for reflection, recognition, and remembrance. It ensures that the stories of those who served and those who suffered are preserved for future generations. While the decriminalization of homosexuality in the United Kingdom occurred in 1967, the military maintained a ban against LGBTQ+ personnel until 2000. During this period, LGBTQ+ individuals in the military faced intense scrutiny and invasive investigations into their private lives. Many were dismissed from service without pay or pension, and some even faced imprisonment.
Although the ban explicitly targeted homosexuality, it affected all members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Etherton Review noted that if a person identified as transgender or experienced gender dysphoria, they were often categorized as either a gay man or a lesbian under the ban. Consequently, the ban, while focused on sexual orientation, also encompassed issues of gender identity.
Apologies and Reparations
In 2023, the then-prime minister Rishi Sunak, along with Home Office officials, issued a public apology for the military ban. Sunak expressed remorse, acknowledging that many service members endured horrific abuse, bullying, and harassment while serving their country. He described the ban as "an appalling failure of the British state."
These comments were released in conjunction with the LGBT Veterans Independent Review, also known as the "Etherton Review." This review brought to light the severe conditions faced by LGBTQ+ service members during the ban and offered 49 recommendations to address the harm caused. Recommendations included pardoning veterans for any related criminal convictions, awarding LGBTQ+ veteran ribbons, returning medals, and establishing the LGBTQ+ Veterans Memorial.
Creating the Memorial
Fighting With Pride, a charity dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ veterans, has long campaigned for justice. In 2024, the group received £350,000 to construct the memorial. After evaluating various submissions, they selected a design by Abraxas Academy, a Norfolk-based collective of artists. Charlotte Howarth and Nina Bilbey, the artists behind the memorial, envisioned it as a symbol of the personal letters used as evidence to convict and expel LGBTQ+ personnel during the ban, reflecting the anxiety of living in fear of receiving such accusations.
The dedication of this memorial represents King Charles's first formal acknowledgment of the LGBTQ+ community since he ascended to the throne in September 2022. While King Charles has traditionally maintained silence regarding LGBTQ+ rights, his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, have shown support through positive messages and advocacy for HIV initiatives.
Looking to the Future
While there are memorials in some U.S. states for LGBTQ+ veterans, a national monument commemorating those affected by military bans, including "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," has yet to be established. Although plans for a DC memorial emerged in 2014, the project has not been completed due to funding issues.
The memorial in the UK stands as a testament to the progress made and the continued fight for justice and recognition for LGBTQ+ veterans. It serves as a reminder of the resilience of those who served under difficult circumstances and highlights the importance of embracing diversity within the armed forces.
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