King to unveil UK’s first LGBTQI armed forces memorial

King Charles will unveil a monument dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender military personnel, marking his first official engagement in support of the LGBTQI community.

The government-funded “Open Letter” memorial was designed to honor those currently serving and commemorate veterans affected by the British military’s ban on LGBTQI officers; this ban was lifted in 2000, 33 years after male homosexuality was partially decriminalized in England and Wales.

A bronze statue resembles a crumpled, freestanding letter containing words taken from personal messages used as evidence to incriminate individuals.

Charles, commander-in-chief of the British armed forces, is expected to lay flowers at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Lesbian brigadier general Claire Phillips, who joined the army in 1995 when being openly gay was still illegal, said the memorial’s design resonated deeply with her and was “a wonderful way to represent the people who were so incredibly harmed by the ban.”

“This design uses the words of our veterans and service personnel to describe what it feels like to be subject to the ban… to start this process of reconciliation,” he told Sky News. he said.

“I’m very, very honored to be here today.”

Gay sergeant Alastair Smith, who joined the army in 1998, told Sky News that while attitudes in the army took time to change, he had not faced any prejudice there but had experienced it in civilian life.

“There are people in the LGBT community who have this zest, determination and desire to perform for their country despite the insurmountable challenges they may face elsewhere,” he said.

The memorial was unveiled in line with the recommendations of an independent inquiry commissioned by the British government, which reported systemic abuse, including sexual assault and the dismissal of LGBTQI service members.

The government has offered financial compensation of up to 70,000 pounds ($A144,000) to those affected.

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