King Charles Unveils New LGBTQ+ Veterans Memorial In The UK
LGBTQ+ people were banned from the British military until 2000 – some incriminated vets sought closure at the ceremony.
Featured photos: courtesy of Nina Bilbey
On Monday, in his first official act of LGBTQ+ support since donning the crown, King Charles III unveiled a tribute forged in bronze to honor LGBTQ+ military service people and veterans. The engagement comes 25 years after the lifting of the longstanding ban of gays in the British military; until the year 2000, service members suspected of being gay were investigated with devastating repercussions.
The ceremony took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Named “An Opened Letter,” the sculpture was commissioned by Fighting With Pride and designed by The Abraxas Academy. Sculptor and academy Co-Founder and Co-Director Nina Bilbey tells GO that the team is “a collective of artists that came together specifically to make the memorial because we believe so strongly in the subject and many of our members are part of the LGBTQ+ community. The OPENED LETTER is made of words taken directly from the testimonies of Veterans who were directly affected by the ban. Imprisoned, interrogated, all lost their careers and some took their own lives.”
“Our letter reframes the evidence that was used to convict and expel, and the letters of accusation that haunted military personnel, and speaks of hope, reconciliation and above all, forgiveness,” Bilbey adds. “The King attended the dedication and personally laid flowers at the memorial and was obviously moved by the occasion.”
Following the ceremony, The King met two groups comprised of LGBTQ+ veterans and serving personnel. About 300 dignitaries, veterans, and serving members of the LGBTQ+ community attended the service, Buckingham Palace shared with GO.
The memorial marks a huge milestone in the timeline of justice due persecuted service members. It was first pitched to the late Lord Etherton – the UKs first ‘out’ senior judge – while appointed to lead the 2023 Independent Review into the experience of LGBTQ+ Veterans. Fighting With Pride notes the outcome: “He laid bare the ravages of the ‘gay ban’ and its enduring impact and left no stone unturned and no enquiry unanswered.”
In addition, last December, the British government announced that impacted LGBTQ+ veterans could receive up to £70,000 / $93,000 USD as reparation. Defense Secretary John Healey said at the time: “The historic treatment of LGBT veterans was a moral stain on our nation. Our Government is determined to right the wrongs of the past and recognize the hurt that too many endured.”
The LGBTQ+ Armed Forces Community Memorial now serves as an enduring statement that is simple, but poignant, at its core: “In recognition of all LGBTQ veterans who served, suffered and sacrificed… For all who serve proudly today and tomorrow, regardless of who they are or who they love.”
“It’s been an incredible journey,” says Bilbey. “We feel humbled and proud of our part in an incredibly important project I will never forget.”
Design team from left to right: James Spedding Holkham, forge; Sue Aperghis, letter carver and designer; Charlotte Howarth, co-director, letter carver, and designer; Nina Bilbey, co-director, sculptor and stone carver; and Kate Holmes, letter carver and sculptor.
