Pre - 1967
Male homosexuality illegal in society but many of those who served during war and in peace time would have been LGBTQ+. In peace time they would have been arrested, discharged, imprisoned.
In war time, even if known, they were sometimes tolerated and allowed to serve, often with great distinction such as Capt Professor Sir Michael Howard OM CH MC
1967
Sexual Offences Act decriminalises consensual, homosexual activity in private for civilian men.
UK Armed Forces insist that exclusion is maintained, as homosexuals are a security risk, would have a negative impact on morale and are incompatible with military service
1967 - 2000
Thousands of Service personnel across all Services and all ranks are dismissed, many dishonourably. They lose medals, ranks, friends. Often given criminal records, some sent to prison. Many are made homeless and outed to family and friends
1991
Rank Outsiders is formed with Lieutenant Elaine Chambers of Queen Alexandra Royal Nursing Corps and former Warrant Officer Robert Ely of the Parachute Regiment.
A support group for veterans thrown out under the ban and launches a helpline for serving LGBTQ+ personnel
1994
Armed Forces Legal Challenge Group created by Ed Hall, supported by Stonewall and Rank Outsiders to challenge the ban. Today, Ed Hall is Chair of the Board of Trustees for Fighting With Pride
1995
Stonewall and Liberty fund the cases of Duncan Lustig-Prean, John Beckett, Graham Grady & Jeanette Smith in the UK High Court, where their claims are dismissed.
Appeals are dismissed by the Court of Appeal, permission to appeal to the House of Lords is refused and so the path is opened to take the cases to Europe
1996
The Ministry of Defence set up the Homosexuality Policy Assessment Team (HPAT) to internally assess the impact of homosexuality in the armed forces but is accused of heavy bias in order to justify a continued stance of exclusion
1999
At the start of the year, Warrant Officer 2 Joanne Wingate in the Army and Flight Lieutenant Caroline Paige, RAF become the first transgender personnel permitted to serve openly
1999
ECHR finds in favour of Duncan Lustig-Prean, John Beckett, Jeanette Smith & Graham Grady against the UK Government. Their Article 8 rights, the right to respect for private and family life had been breached
2000
On January 12th 2000 the ‘Gay Ban’ is lifted allowing openly gay, lesbian and bisexual personnel to serve.
2006
LGBTQ+ personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces march in London Pride for the first time – the RN in full dress uniform.
2008
All three services march in uniform at London Pride led by a full military band and receive a rapturous reception
2016
UK Government amends the Armed Forces Bill repealing the final pieces of anti LGBTQ+ legislation, also resolving legacy discrimination issues for members of the Merchant Navy
2020
Fighting With Pride, the LGBT+ Military Charity is founded by Craig Jones MBE, Caroline Paige MBE and Patrick Lyster-Todd. The charity campaigns for a review into the treatment of LGBT+ veterans during the period of the ‘Gay Ban’
2021
Caroline Paige MBE and Craig Jones MBE, Co-Chairs of Fighting With Pride give evidence to the Armed Forces Select Committee about the welfare and neglect of LGBT+ veterans
2022
The Government announces the LGBT Veteran’s Independent Review. Chaired by Lord Terence Etherton
May 2023
Lord Etherton publishes his findings in his final report. His review contains 268 pages of personal testimony, 49 recommendations and 28 other suggestions
July 2023
Historic apology by the Prime Minister before Prime Minister’s Question Time on behalf of the state to the LGBT veterans impacted by the ‘Gay Ban’ and statement by the Defence Secretary, welcomed by all sides of the House of Commons
December 2023
The Government issues its formal response to Lord Etherton’s report and accepts the intent behind all 49 recommendations. At the same time, the LGBT Non-Financial Restorative measures scheme is launched,
April 2024
UK Government announces the award of the contract to Fighting With Pride for delivery of the LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial
August 2024
The Fighting With Pride Memorial team begin consultation with all members of the LGBT+ armed forces community on their ideas for the design of the memorial
December 2024
UK Government announces the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) for veterans impacted by the Ban. A scheme to recognise the hurt and pain caused by the State under the Ban. The scheme will be open for applications until December 2026
January 2025
Winning design for the LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial is announced, “An Opened Letter” by the artist collective, the Abraxas Academy. The winner is announced on the weekend of the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban
August 2025
The LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial is installed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire
October 2025
The LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial is dedicated in front of an audience of nearly 300 veterans, serving personnel and VIPs
