UK Sailors to March in Gay Pride

The Independent has published an article this morning revealing that military officials have given the go-ahead for gay and lesbian naval personnel to march in full uniform for the first time at Britain’s annual Gay Pride celebrations.

This coming Saturday, more than 40 sailors, from able seamen to Royal Navy Reserve commanders, will lead the EuroPride parade through London. The event comes six years after a landmark legal ruling to allow gay people to serve openly in the armed forces.

The Navy said it was the first time that any military organisation in the world had allowed gay and lesbian recruits to march in uniform at such an event. “They will not be marching in a parade formation but they will be walking smartly and in full uniform with medals,” said Commander Graham Beard, the Navy’s diversity spokesman. “We strive to support our lesbian and gay community, and this is a massive step forward for us.”

In 1999, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that gay people had a legal right to serve in the armed forces. Before then, they faced being thrown out if their sexuality was discovered.

June 25, 2006 | Filed Under Just Being Gay