It was 25 years ago today

25 years today, 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On 12 January 2000 this law was repealed after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that it violated Article 8 of the Human Rights Act: the right to a private and family life.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.

Kevin Bazeley joined the Royal Air Force in 1985 and served as a navigator on VC10s and Nimrods. In 1994 Kevin was arrested after his lost wallet containing a membership card to the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club was found and handed back to the RAF. He was subjected to a number of interrogations before eventually being discharged from the service, ending his successful career abruptly and prematurely.

In this anniversary year, the RAF Museum is also developing an artist commission co-produced with LGBT+ veterans and personnel, in further collaboration with Fighting With Pride and the RAF LGBT+ Freedom Network.

Here is just one snippet from Kevin’s story.

To find out more about Kevin’s story please visit RAF Stories.