King Charles has laid flowers at the UK's first national memorial commemorating LGBT armed forces veterans at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The monument, titled 'An Opened Letter', honours those whose careers were cut short by the military's 'gay ban' in place from 1967 to 2000.
The King, joined by dozens of serving and former armed forces personnel, attended the dedication ceremony on Monday. It was his first official engagement in support of the LGBT community. Among those present were veterans who faced investigation, discharge, or forced resignation due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, suffering lifelong consequences including loss of pensions and family rejection.
Brig Clare Phillips, a gay woman who served for 30 years, addressed the 300 guests, saying: 'For hundreds of LGBT veterans, their experiences have been catastrophic – their lives and careers shattered. For the serving community, today's unveiling is about remembering that we stand on the shoulders of giants.' The sculpture, a crumpled bronze letter incorporating words from affected personnel, was funded by a £350,000 MoD grant.
Fighting With Pride, the charity behind the memorial, said it represents a 'powerful step forward' in recognition. Carol Morgan, discharged in the late 1970s, said: 'I hid my sexuality for over 36 years. This memorial means everything to us.' Former RAF firefighter Carl Austin-Behan, dismissed in 1997, added: 'The significance blows me away.'
