A prominent actor from the series “Traitors” expressed her appreciation for the King’s presence at the unveiling of the inaugural LGBT armed forces veterans’ memorial. Leanne Quigley, a former Army member and champion of Series 3 on the BBC reality program, described the event as deeply impactful. She emphasized the significance of the day, marking 25 years since the ban on LGBT individuals in the armed forces was lifted.
At 28 years old, Leanne shared her admiration for the King’s participation in the ceremony and the meaningful conversations she had with veterans who had endured years of hardship post-dismissal. She highlighted the emotional aspect of veterans finally feeling acknowledged and identifying proudly as veterans.
The event marked a historic moment as it was the first time the King officially engaged in an LGBT event. The ban on LGBT individuals serving in the Army, Royal Navy, and RAF persisted until 2000, causing numerous personnel to face discrimination, harassment, and even imprisonment due to their sexual orientation.
The Mirror has long advocated for the recognition and support of LGBT veterans through Fighting With Pride’s campaign. The dedication ceremony was attended by over 100 past and present armed forces members, culminating years of advocacy by the charity.
The memorial, situated amidst hawthorne trees at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, featured a sculpture resembling an open letter symbolizing the past practice of using personal letters to discredit and incriminate service members.
During the event, Brigadier Clare Phillips reflected on her journey from secrecy and fear to pride and openness, emphasizing the importance of honoring past service members and ensuring progress in acceptance and support for the future. Louise Sandher-Jones, the minister for Veterans and People, underscored the significance of the memorial for LGBT veterans and encouraged those affected by the ban to seek support and restoration opportunities.
Veterans dismissed under the ban are eligible to apply for financial restitution and participate in impact schemes for those who suffered specific harm. Sandher-Jones urged all entitled individuals to come forward to access the available support and restoration programs.
