2025 marks 25 years since the UK Government lifted the ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the military. This came after a significant ruling from the European Court of Human Rights in 1999, which lifted the ‘gay ban’. A group of veterans, known as the Rank Outsiders, achieved this through their efforts.

Rank Outsiders was a group that helped veterans who were removed from the army for their sexuality. At its peak, it had almost 3,000 members. This group campaigned to lift the ban on openly serving LGBTQ+ people, with help from Stonewall. They succeeded on 12 January 2000.As Lieutenant Commander Craig Jones MBE notes in Fighting with Pride: LGBTQ in the Armed Forces 2019, this group fought “for principle and for equality, for those serving in the shadows, and for future generations.”

Now, serving personnel can live openly without fear of being dismissed for their sexuality. This year, to mark the anniversary, we would like to honour those in the REME who are part of the LGBTQ+ community by collecting and sharing their stories. This blog will give a small look into the REME’s LGBTQ+ voices.

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“I feel like now it is widely accepted; people aren’t surprised by it and rude about it, there’s jokes but I don’t find them harmful or with malicious intent”

So far participants in our online questionnaire have helped shed light on the military before and after the ban was lifted. Many of them speak in a positive manner about those they serve or served with, accepting them and working well together. One of which comes from a person who served before the ban was lifted mentioning the “genuine good will and support” of their colleagues around them.

“To be included and respected by men from all ages and backgrounds in this environment made me feel more confident within my job.”

Since the ban was lifted the government have held an Independent Review on the effect of the ban. In December 2023 the Government released a response to this LGBTQ+ Veterans Independent Review which led to some in the community, who were dismissed on grounds of their sexuality, having their service medals and berets reinstated.

“Operations were an equaliser in terms of who [you] are, no one really cared as long as you did your job well as we were fighting for the same cause.”

A key theme in the responses is the sense of community. Companionship and the REME Family help keep people connected. Many have said they feel connected and supported by their peers. This support system is a key part of their service.

“I have hope that for those young LGBT people now making their way in life that the path will offer a somewhat smoother and fulfilling journey, one can exist in a [closet] but to truly live it is necessary to emerge as the true self.”

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Banner image: London Pride March, 2022. © Crown, reproduced under Open Government Licence.

The REME Museum currently lacks objects and archival material about LGBTQ+ REME personnel. Through this questionnaire we are growing the representation in the portion of the REME family under represented within the museum. As part of this year-long project, we are also looking to record people sharing their stories, in an informal interview with a freelancer. We will use these recordings to continue creating blog posts like this and to add to a display in the museum.

Thank you to all who have responded so far.

Please note: the questionnaire for this project is now closed. We'd always love to hear from you, so if you would like to talk about how to contribute your story, please get in touch.

If you'd like to find out how else to get involved, email Rebecca at [email protected] or telephone 01249 894874.

This project is possible thanks to Museum Development South West, and support from Arts Council England through their Small Open Grants.