This month, Liverpool’s HMS Eaglet will host a very special Veteran’s Pride event celebrating the service of LGBT+ veterans and serving personnel in the UK’s Armed Forces.
Already award-winning, this will be only the second year of the event, Veterans Pride 2025 will take place on Saturday 9th August. The event has been created and organised by a team of partner military charities led by LGBT+ military charity Fighting With Pride, they have collaborated with the Royal Navy and the Royal British Legion (RBL).
The event will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the “gay ban” being lifted in the armed forces. The careers of many of the veterans attending were cut short by the historic ‘gay ban’ which remained in place until 12th January 2000. Some of those who lost their careers faced arrest, intrusive, investigations and even prison sentences just for being ‘gay’.
Background
In January 2022, the UK Government announced an LGBT Veterans Independent Review, which was Chaired by former Master of the Rolls, Lord Etherton KC. Over an 18-month period, 1100 veterans gave evidence of their experiences, with many having faced criminal charges and dismissal for being gay or presumed to be gay.
On 19th July 2023, in response to Lord Etherton’s Report recommendations, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, made an apology on behalf of the British nation in the House of Commons as he announced a package of reparations.
Veterans Pride 2025 will have a 1940’s ‘authentically vintage’ theme and will include moments of recognition and celebration of LGBT+ veterans service, the evening will be hosted by local performer, West End and TV star Gillian Hardie.
Other performers entertaining guests on the evening will be cabaret artist Queera Lynn, the UK’s only wartime styled drag artist, comedians from Veterans Comedy Club and saxophonist and vocalist Jessica Stretton will complete the evenings line up Kenny Bryce, Fighting With Pride’s UK Veterans Community Workers Team Manager, based in Liverpool said: “We are delighted to be returning with the award-winning Veterans Pride event for another year at HMS Eaglet, we look forward to welcoming LGBT+ Veterans and allies to join us in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the “gay ban” being lifted from the Armed Forces. We have a fantastic night of entertainment, and I know that all attending will have a great night.
We would like to thank our sponsors Spark Medical and Thrive Together for their invaluable contribution and commitment to LGBT+ Armed Forces Community.”
The evening will be a mix of invited guests and tickets are also for sale for allies to attend at £10 each, www.outsavvy.com/pages/
For further information on Fighting With Pride please visit www.fightingwithpride.org.uk,