"I am a gay woman who has served in the British army for 30 years. 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. It is about being able to say to our veterans: you belong and you always did."
"The king has laid flowers at the UK's first national memorial commemorating LGBT armed forces and met veterans who spoke of the trauma inflicted by the military's former gay ban. Charles was joined by dozens of serving and former members of the armed forces at the dedication of the memorial, titled An Opened Letter, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Monday."
The king laid flowers and attended the dedication of An Opened Letter, the UK's first national memorial to LGBT armed forces, at the National Memorial Arboretum. Dozens of serving and former personnel attended, including veterans whose military careers were cut short before the 2000 ban lift. Thousands were investigated, discharged or forced out because of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, suffering vilification, lost pensions and lifelong consequences. Brig Clare Phillips, a gay woman with 30 years' service, described catastrophic impacts on hundreds of veterans and urged remembrance of those who fought discrimination. The memorial, created by Fighting With Pride, takes the form of a crumpled bronze letter incorporating words from personnel to honour their service and sacrifices.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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