Winning design for UK's first memorial to armed service of LGBT people unveiled
This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on gay service personnel, and the winning design for a memorial dedicated to the military service of LGBT people has been unveiled.
The construction of a monument dedicated to LGBT+ veterans and serving personnel was one of the recommendations that came out of the national inquiry into the historic treatment of LGBT people in the armed forces.
Overseen by the LGBT military charity Fighting with Pride, the design and construction is being funded by a £350,000 grant from the Office for Veterans' Affairs in the MOD.
'Turn page on shameful chapter'
"When I joined the Royal Marines in 1999, this abhorrent ban on homosexuality in the armed forces was still in place. A quarter of a century later, we turn a page on that shameful chapter in our national story", said Minister for Veterans and People Alistair Carns.
He added: "This government is committed to renewing the contract with those who serve and have served, and we will continue to drive this forward until every recommendation of Lord Etherton's review is completed.
"I thank the LGBT+ community and the charities that supported it, particularly Fighting With Pride, for their courage and continued efforts to bring this to a resolution, and urge everyone affected to visit the LGBT veterans page on the gov.uk website for support."
The Etherton Review was an independent report in 2023 into LGBT veterans' treatment under the ban, which also recommended compensation for affected veterans.
After whittling down more than 30 submissions by artists and sculptors, the winning design was announced.
Created by a collective known as the Abraxas Academy, the design entitled Opened Letter was selected by a judging panel at an event attended by LGBT+ veterans and serving personnel, service charities and the shortlisted artists.
Nina Bilbey, lead artist at Abraxas Academy, said: "This is extremely personal for some of our members, some of whom have been affected by the armed forces exclusion of LGBTQ+ identities, and some simply affected by lived queer experience.
"All our members make a living in the arts by designing and delivering beautiful sculptures, making and inspired by the act of collaboration.
"We hope this memorial will help ease some of the distrust and pain suffered by individuals, past and present, and be of inspiration to future generations who will witness this work and be reminded of the healing power of reconciliation and the public acknowledgement of historic discrimination."
'A celebration of our community'
Honorary Colonel and Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes said: "Veterans are courageously rebuilding their lives after enduring trauma, the loss of their careers and livelihoods.
"While the injustices of the past remain unchangeable, I am pleased to see the government's commitment to support LGBT+ veterans going forward. "The memorial's design is a powerful way of showing how damaging, words are, but how healing words can be. Twenty-five years ago, LGBT+ veterans were met with condemnation; today, they are embraced with honor and respect. "I see this memorial as a celebration of our community, a space for veterans to reflect on our journey, and a testament to the progress we’ve achieved together. Let’s remember that every step forward is a victory for dignity, inclusion, and unity."
The design reflects a letter written by a service person about their hidden love and is set to be unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in the summer.
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