Ahead of Pride Month, join us as we celebrate LGBT+ personnel and veterans’ contributions to the Armed Forces. A varied and lively programme of performances and storytelling, Pride in Service Day is open to all, and all events are free to attend.
For centuries, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) personnel have served their countries, often with distinction. However, until recent years they faced discrimination and their contributions went overlooked in official histories. When in 1967 homosexuality was legalised in British society an Armed Forces ‘gay ban’ was introduced by the government that prohibited LGB personnel from serving. Many suffered interrogation and dismissal from service, and some imprisonment. Ruled a violation of human rights, after sustained campaigning the ban was abolished on 12 January 2000. LGBT+ personnel have since served openly, and HM Armed Forces have participated in Pride marches since 2008. In 2022 the government commissioned a Veterans’ Independent Review before implementing restorative measures to support veterans affected by the ban. Today veterans share their stories and achievements, which we honour and celebrate with pride.
Event generously funded by Queer Heritage Collections Network Creative Projects, through the National Lottery and Arts Council England.
Events
About the contributors
Fighting with Pride
Fighting with Pride (FWP) is a military charity founded on 12 January 2020, the 20th anniversary of the repeal of the Armed Forces ‘gay ban’. FWP supports LGBT+ veterans, serving personnel and their families, particularly those who were affected by the ban. They work with veteran-supporting organisations to recognise veterans’ service and help to resolve challenges they face in their lives. In support of FWP, Ian McIver is cycling 1800km across Europe and back, leading a public bike ride on his return from Brighton to London which finishes at the Museum.
Jon Hague, Docklands Productions
Jon Hague is an actor and director who trained with the University of Birmingham. He worked as a stage manager in London before changing career, enlisting as a Private soldier in the Army Medical Services in 1997. Serving during the Armed Forces ‘gay ban’, he hid his sexuality as a gay man. Jon went on to serve in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq, retiring in 2017 in the rank of Major. In 2018 he was awarded a BAFTA scholarship to study screenwriting, and he was recently funded by Arts Council England to tour ‘At War with Myself’ across the south of England.
London Gay Men’s Chorus
Founded in 1991, Europe’s largest LGBT+ choir, London Gay Men’s Chorus, is a charitable organisation with over 300 members and thousands of alumni and friends worldwide. The Chorus delivers more than 80 performances each year from major London and international venues, including the Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House, to smaller community organisations. Through performances and outreach, the Chorus entertains, educates and inspires, celebrating diversity through harmony.
Tom Marshman
Theatre maker Tom Marshman has been writing and performing for over 20 years, working across different mediums, from museum audio tours to solo plays and cabaret. His socially engaged practice focuses on LGBT+ experience and telling poetic and unpretentious stories about everyday life. Tom’s Tea Parties and collection tours encourage participants to share experiences and discover historically overlooked narratives. Tom has worked with many organisations including the National Trust, Arnolfini, and Chapter Arts Centre.
Clare Summerskill
Clare is a singer-songwriter, stand-up comedian, playwright and academic whose writing and cabaret material address LGBT+ lifestyles with both humour and pathos. Clare was affectionately termed ‘a lesbian Victoria Wood’ by BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, and as ‘one of the funniest women in the country’ by What’s On.
David Tovey
Veteran artist David Tovey spent six years in the Army, leaving when dismissals for being gay accelerated. He lost his vocation and sense of purpose, experiencing years of homelessness, addiction and mental health struggles. Art became a powerful means of self-expression, enabling him to rebuild his life. An award-winning activist and producer, David weaves his creative practice into socially engaged projects. In 2025 the Museum commissioned his community co-created artwork, ‘The Echoes and Shadows of Identity’ (2026) to mark the 25th anniversary of the repeal of the Armed Forces ‘gay ban’, on display in Hangar 2.
Funding
This event is generously funded by Queer Heritage Collections Network Creative Projects, through the National Lottery and Arts Council England.
