King Charles LGBT Veterans Memorial Tribute

Acknowledgment Long Overdue for LGBT Veterans

King Charles is set to unveil a memorial honoring former members of the British armed forces who faced discrimination due to their sexual orientation. For decades, homosexuality was banned in the military — a policy not reversed until the year 2000, long after the partial decriminalization of same-sex male relationships in England and Wales in 1967.

A Sculpture to Confront a Painful Legacy

This Monday, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, the King will reveal a commemorative sculpture and lay a floral tribute. The ceremony will follow a separate visit earlier in the day to Lichfield Cathedral. The memorial recognizes LGBT veterans who were mistreated under former military laws that explicitly prohibited homosexuality. Many servicemen and women were dishonorably discharged, stripped of their pensions and medals, incarcerated, or subjected to so-called “forced treatments” in military medical facilities.

A Project Rooted in the Etherton Report

The initiative stems from a recommendation in the LGBT Veterans’ Independent Review, conducted by the late Lord Etherton, the UK’s first openly gay senior judge. Published in 2023, the report features 1,128 personal accounts from veterans impacted by past discriminatory policies. Key proposals from the review included the establishment of a government-funded public memorial, the reinstatement of ranks and honors, and a comprehensive compensation scheme.

“The inauguration ceremony should welcome all LGBT veterans who served during that era and experienced suffering,” Lord Etherton had stated, emphasizing the Ministry of Defence’s accountability for the harm inflicted by the former regulations.

A Symbolic Gesture from the Crown

Before the publication of the Etherton Report, various advocacy groups and veterans had called on the monarch to issue a formal apology, considering the King’s role as head of the armed forces. Buckingham Palace responded by saying, “His Majesty continues to express his support and gratitude to all members of the armed forces in his new responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief.”

A Work of Art Rich in Meaning

The memorial sculpture, titled “An Opened Letter”, was designed by the creative collective Abraxas Academy and commissioned by the charity Fighting With Pride. The piece features an open bronze letter resting on a base carved from York stone. It displays excerpts from the heartfelt testimonies of LGBT veterans, as well as contributions from current service members actively involved in the project.

A project launch ceremony took place last July. Roly Woods and Kevin Bazeley, both overseeing the initiative, expressed their hopes for the memorial’s impact:

“The memorial promises to be both bold and moving — a creation resonating with quiet power and meaningful symbolism. Witnessing the inscriptions come to life is deeply emotional, as each word carries immense weight for the community and for generations to come.”

The two emphasized that this installation marks a significant step forward in recognizing the service and sacrifices of LGBT personnel in the armed forces — recognition that has been too long in coming.

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