King Charles III has dedicated the UK’s first memorial to LGBTQ+ service personnel, honouring those who were dismissed, court-martialled or mistreated under the historic ban on gay people serving in the armed forces.
A memorial born from injustice
Until 2000, LGBTQ+ people were banned from serving in the British armed forces. Many who were found out faced court-martial, dismissal without income or pension, and in some cases brutal interrogations.
In 2023, an independent review led by Lord Etherton examined the lasting impact of the ban and recommended a national memorial to recognise what those veterans went through.
The following year, then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised on behalf of the government, describing the ban as “an appalling failure of the British state.”
What the design represents
The memorial, called An Opened Letter, was created by the design collective Abraxas Academy and funded with a £350,000 grant from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. It takes the form of a letter written by a service person about a hidden love, using crumpled bronze lettering taken from real testimonies to reflect both the damage words can cause and their power to heal. “We hope this memorial will help ease some of the distrust and pain suffered by individuals, past and present,” the lead designer said.
A moment of healing
The King laid flowers at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire during the dedication and met veterans who had been affected by the ban. Among them was Sharon Pickering, a Royal Navy veteran dismissed from service in 1991, who described the occasion as “hugely emotional.”
Why this matters now
The memorial’s unveiling comes 25 years after the ban was lifted in 2000, and follows years of campaigning by veterans and organisations such as Fighting With Pride to secure formal recognition. For many affected veterans, the memorial represents the first official acknowledgement, in permanent form, of an injustice that shaped their lives and careers.
Financial recognition alongside the memorial
The memorial sits alongside a separate compensation scheme for LGBT veterans affected by the ban. Under the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, veterans dismissed or discharged because of their sexuality can apply for a payment of £50,000, while those who faced investigations, harassment or disciplinary action without being discharged can claim up to £20,000, taking the maximum possible award to £70,000. The scheme also offers non-financial measures, including a formal apology letter, replacement service medals and items, and the option of a restoration ceremony.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the ban “caused lasting harm to many brave personnel,” while veteran Jean, reflecting on her experience, said: “When your country turns its back on you, you just feel worthless”. Applications for the scheme remain open until 12 December 2026.
