King Charles Dedicates UK's First National LGBT Armed Forces Memorial

King Charles recently attended the dedication ceremony of the UK’s first national memorial honoring LGBT+ armed forces personnel at the National Memorial Arboretum. The memorial, titled "An Opened Letter," acknowledges the discrimination faced by LGBT service members prior to the lifting of the military ban in 2000, when thousands were investigated, discharged, or forced to conceal their identities. King Charles emotionally laid flowers at the monument and engaged with veterans and current service members, highlighting the importance of recognizing past injustices and celebrating courage. The bronze sculpture, designed by Abraxas Academy and commissioned by the Ministry of Defence’s Office for Veterans’ Affairs, incorporates testimonies from affected veterans and messages from today’s military personnel. Representatives from the LGBT military charity Fighting With Pride, which led community consultations and the memorial’s design, emphasized the significance of the tribute for both veterans and serving members. The event marked a historic step in honoring the sacrifices and service of LGBT individuals in the British armed forces.