Do I throw everything away or lie? Falklands Pride vessel shows conflict of a different kind
For the first time in history, a wartime vessel has been wrapped in Pride colours at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in preparation for UK Pride on Saturday 7 June.
By showcasing Landing Craft F8 in Pride colours, Portsmouth Historic Quarter aims to pay tribute to those who served in silence or suffered the consequences of their sexuality.
The naval asset, a veteran of the Falklands War, aims to celebrate progress and reflect on the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ members past and present.
Landing Craft F8 was built in 1959 and was one of 12 landing craft deployed during the Falklands War, when the ban was still in place – she was used to bring troops ashore from San Carlos Water.
Until January 2000, LGBTQ+ people were banned from serving in the Armed Forces and faced dishonourable discharge, loss of medals, surveillance and interrogation.
Many veterans lived in fear and were investigated, discharged, or criminalised because of their sexuality.
'Do I throw everything away, or do I lie?'
Roly Woods is a former sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy who served on HMS Leeds Castle during the Falklands War.
He is now a memorial officer for Fighting with Pride – a charity that aims to support the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ veterans, service personnel and their families.
Active service people pre-2000 had two choices: come out as gay and face the repercussions, or hide who they truly were so that they could continue their military careers. Roly chose the latter.
"At one stage during my naval career, I was challenged by my Commanding Officer, who heard rumours that I had been seen by officers with a man. I was called up to his office, sat down, and plainly asked 'are you gay?'.
"Right there and then I had to decide 'do I throw everything away, or do I lie?'. I really didn’t want to lie to someone I respected so much.
"In that split second, I chose to lie and tell him I'd just been supporting a friend who was going through a difficult time, which is why I'd been seen with this man, who was actually my partner.
"My Captain accepted it and I got away with it, but it was an extremely difficult situation to deal with both professionally and personally, and I wrestled with it for many years."
'We had to enforce the law by the book'
Former Master at Arms in the Royal Navy and volunteer at Portsmouth Historic Quarter Gavin Moulds served in the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) from 1994 to 2003.
He explained that he was responsible for investigating criminal offences within the Royal Navy, which included being homosexual.
"When I joined the Special Investigation Branch, we were approaching a time when the attitude towards enforcing the homosexuality ban was becoming uncomfortable and difficult to talk about," he said.
"It was very much a case of 'don't ask, don't tell', however we were bound by our duties and when called upon had to enforce the law by the book.
"If somebody was believed to be gay, we would perform a full criminal investigation.
"There was one case I remember well that many of us found horrific to witness. An officer was believed to be gay and, as such, was being interviewed, but the questioning went into a level of intimate detail that was so graphic and humiliating.
"They weren't questions I think anyone would be comfortable repeating. It was beyond personal and, in my opinion, completely unnecessary."
He added: "The ban, the way it was enforced, and to the level it was enforced, was never something I agreed with. However, I cannot help but still feel a degree of guilt for my involvement – an apology would not be enough."
'Hundreds are yet to come forward for compensation'
In December 2024, the Ministry of Defence announced the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, enabling anyone impacted by the ban while serving in the Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000 to apply for recognition payments up to £50,000.
As of 28 April 2025, 1,471 veterans have registered interest in the scheme, 90 have applied for financial recognition, and eight with terminal illnesses have received their £50,000 payments.
"We estimate that hundreds of LGBTQ+ veterans are yet to come forward for compensation or to have their medals returned," Roly continued.
"It's our mission to support all LGBTQ+ veterans in receiving the reparations they deserve, and we urge all those who are yet to come forward, to do so.
"The unveiling of Landing Craft F8 in her Pride colours is a celebration of real progress for the LGBTQ+ community in the Armed Forces, and it is an extremely proud moment for both LGBTQ+ veterans and for those serving today."
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