25 years ago the ban on LGBT+ people serving in the British Armed Forces was removed.
When in 1967 homosexuality was legalised in British society, at the same time new legislation came into effect which forbade gay personnel from serving in the Armed Forces.
On 12 January 2000 this law was repealed after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that it violated Article 8 of the Human Rights Act: the right to a private and family life.
During the ban, anyone discovered to be gay could be subjected to arrest, interrogation, examination, imprisonment, and dismissal. To mark this important anniversary, the RAF Museum has been recording the experiences of those affected by the ban, with help from the military charity for dismissed LGBT+ veterans, Fighting with Pride , and the RAF LGBT+ Freedom Network of currently serving personnel.
Each month we will share the perspectives of a selection of people who will discuss the impact of the ban and their treatment by the RAF at the time, which had a lasting effect on their lives.
This month, in our fourth video, we are sharing a clip from Ken Wright.
Ken received the RAF Police Baton of Honour and in 1990 he was awarded the personal commendation of ACM Hine for Services to the RAF.
After Ken realised that he was gay he was required to leave ‘due to circumstances outwith his control’.
He went on to have a successful career in civil aviation and is a founding member of “Fighting with Pride”, a charity that supports veterans in the LGBTQIA+ community.
In this video, he considers the real achievement of Fighting with Pride – the fact that former military personnel who had been discharged due to who they loved where able to come together for the first time and share their experiences. To learn more about Ken’s experience please visit rafstories.org at https://bit.ly/4jrBS5p
Jess Boydon-Juckes – RAF Stories Manager
