On Monday, October 27, 2025, the United Kingdom marked a watershed moment in its military and social history as King Charles III unveiled the nation’s first memorial dedicated to LGBTQ+ armed forces personnel. The bronze sculpture, titled “An Opened Letter,” was revealed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, drawing together veterans, serving military members, dignitaries, and advocates to honor those who served, suffered, and sacrificed under a policy that, for decades, criminalized and ostracized LGBTQ+ individuals in the British military.
The memorial’s unveiling was not just a ceremonial gesture; it was a public reckoning with a dark chapter in British military history that spanned from 1967 to January 11, 2000. During these years, service members who were, or were merely suspected of being, gay or transgender faced brutal interrogations, forced dismissals, and lifelong stigma. According to BBC, thousands lost their careers, pensions, and even family support, with some tragically taking their own lives as a result of the relentless persecution.
King Charles III’s presence at the event signaled a new era of recognition and reconciliation. In his first official act of support for LGBTQ+ rights since ascending the throne, the King laid flowers at the base of the memorial and met with veterans whose lives were irrevocably altered by the military’s historic “gay ban.” Buckingham Palace shared that about 300 dignitaries, veterans, and serving LGBTQ+ personnel attended the ceremony, underscoring the significance of the moment. As reported by GO Magazine, the King was “obviously moved by the occasion,” engaging personally with those who had endured the ban’s most harrowing consequences.
The memorial itself is a striking piece of art, both visually and symbolically. Designed by the Abraxas Academy—a collective of artists, many of whom identify as LGBTQ+—and commissioned by the charity Fighting With Pride, the sculpture takes the form of a crumpled bronze letter. Sculptor and co-director Nina Bilbey explained to GO Magazine that the letter is inscribed with words taken directly from the testimonies of veterans affected by the ban. “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 said. The design team poured their passion and lived experience into the project, describing the journey as humbling and unforgettable.
The idea for the memorial was first pitched to Lord Etherton, the UK’s first openly gay senior judge, who led the 2023 Independent Review into the experience of LGBTQ+ veterans. The review, as GO Magazine notes, “laid bare the ravages of the ‘gay ban’ and its enduring impact and left no stone unturned and no enquiry unanswered.” The review’s findings prompted the government to take concrete action, both symbolic and material.
In December 2023, the government announced a compensation scheme for those impacted by the ban. Veterans who were dismissed or discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identity are to receive up to £50,000, and those who were “negatively affected” during their service between 1967 and 2000 can receive an additional £20,000, bringing the total possible compensation to £70,000 (about $93,000 USD). According to The Independent, these payments are exempt from income tax and means-tested benefits, and veterans can also apply to have their rank restored and discharge reason amended. Defense Secretary John Healey described the historic treatment of LGBTQ+ veterans as a “moral stain on our nation,” vowing that the government is “determined to right the wrongs of the past and recognize the hurt that too many endured.”
The dedication ceremony was deeply emotional, with veterans and current service members sharing their stories. Brigadier Clare Phillips, a gay woman with three decades of service in the British Army, addressed the gathering with powerful words: “For hundreds of LGBT veterans, their experiences have been catastrophic – their lives and careers shattered. For the serving community, today’s unveiling of this incredible memorial is about remembering that we stand on the shoulders of giants – those people who fought discrimination and persecution so we can now serve openly and proudly.” She added, “It is about being able to say to our veterans, you belong and you always did.” Phillips reflected on her own journey from “a life of secrecy, fear and darkness to a career of pride, openness and joy,” emphasizing that today’s personnel are “not defined by sexual orientation, race or gender, but by our service to our nation.”
For many veterans, the memorial brings long-overdue recognition and a sense of healing. Linda Garnham, a former soldier dismissed for being gay, described the unveiling as “an absolutely amazing moment” and “a healing moment.” She told BBC, “We all served our country and were treated so badly. It’s about time people knew what we went through.” Garnham’s words echoed the feelings of many in attendance, who saw the memorial as both a personal and collective milestone.
The sculpture’s location at the National Memorial Arboretum—home to numerous tributes to Britain’s military history—ensures that the sacrifices and resilience of LGBTQ+ service members will not be forgotten. Peter Gibson, chief executive officer of Fighting With Pride, captured the memorial’s significance: “It’s a deeply emotional moment, expressing in physical form that what happened to them should never have taken place – and equally, but crucially – must never be allowed to happen again. The devastation and destruction caused by people expressing their love cut short successful careers and, in some cases, ended lives. Today is a klaxon call that signals shame can be cast aside and everyone who wants it is welcomed back into their military family.”
The memorial was funded by a £350,000 grant from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs at the Ministry of Defence, reflecting the government’s commitment to both remembering the past and supporting those affected. The unveiling follows a formal apology delivered in 2023 by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who acknowledged the “horrific” historical treatment of LGBTQ+ people who served in the military and accepted the recommendations of the independent review, including financial reparations and the creation of a public memorial.
LGBTQ+ military charity Fighting With Pride described the memorial as a “powerful step forward in recognising and honouring the service and sacrifices” of the community, providing both closure and a renewed sense of belonging. As the words on the memorial state: “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.”
As the sun set over Staffordshire, the message was clear: the era of silence and shame is over. The United Kingdom has taken a public, lasting step toward justice and inclusion, ensuring that the stories of those who served—often in the shadows—are honored in the light.
