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last mo.

King Charles Marks Unveiling of UK’s First Memorial to LGBTQ Armed Forces Personnel

The tribute signals official recognition of longstanding discrimination that kept LGBTQ people from serving until 2000.

König Charles III. hat einen Kranz am ersten Denkmal des Landes für Mitglieder der LGBTQ-Gemeinschaft niedergelegt, die in der britischen Armee gedient haben. An der Einweihung des Denkmals nahmen Dutzende Soldaten und Veteranen teil.
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Overview

  • The ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire featured the King laying a wreath in his first public engagement focused specifically on LGBTQ issues.
  • The bronze sculpture, titled An Opened Letter, resembles a crumpled page formed from words once used to out and vilify service members, created by artists from the Abraxas Academy.
  • Brigadier Clare Phillips said hundreds of LGBTQ veterans endured catastrophic experiences that destroyed lives and careers.
  • A 2023 government-commissioned report documented humiliations, abuse, dismissals and loss of pensions under the former ban that followed partial decriminalization in 1967.
  • Fighting With Pride led the memorial project, the Ministry of Defence expressed deep regret for past harms, and affected veterans are reported to be eligible to apply for compensation of up to £70,000.