The personal testimonies of 12 people from many different ranks and some still serving in the forces, form the centrepiece. Through their accounts, conflict is recognised and adversity revealed but also the achievements and the contributions made by them to the armed services is celebrated.
The histories collected come from all three military services and involve a range individual experiences. While the exhibition is temporary, these stories will go on to form part of the Imperial War Museum’s permanent collection. It is also hoped that the exhibition will tour the country.
“The experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people within the context of conflict, war and military service is arguably still a largely hidden history. Through this small but important display, hopefully we can make a step towards helping to reveal and celebrate it.”
The records gathered for the exhibition include the memories of Alan Edwards who served in the Royal Navy between 1948 and 1964. Despite never experiencing overt homophobia, until he left the reservists in 1972, and despite his active campaigning with the Homosexual Reform Society in Manchester, he could never put his name to anything. And despite his never having any trouble while in the Navy, he felt that it was only once he left he could start properly being himself.
Soldier Stewart Taylor joined the army knowing he was gay but put it to the back of his mind so he could get on with his career. As a Corporal, he was in charge of 15 to 20 other soldiers. Ensuring their safety was his priority.
Despite this single-mindedness, the worry he had over the content of private correspondence concerned him and he feared what would happen if he was questioned about his letters, despite there being nothing in them to ‘incriminate’ him.
His own beliefs and perspectives though positively shaped his work with fellow soldiers. He recalls: “If they had a problem, were homesick or worrying about their family, I’d sit down and talk to them. I never wanted to see people unfairly treated. There was never bullying with the people that I was responsible for. I would never have allowed that to happen.’
Air Force Corporal Jo Kirk is one of the contributors who is still serving. Despite her love of the career she has chosen, she made a decision in 2000 to come out. What could have been a terrifying experience was transformed by other people’s attitude: ‘I was very shocked that every single one of them supported me.’
This exhibition follows previous Imperial War Museum exhibitions and events over the last three years examining the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender experience in war and conflict throughout the 20th and into this century.
In this sense, this exhibition clearly marks not only a sea change in attitudes in the forces and society beyond but also in the way that lives can be lived in what was the last bastion of prejudice regarding people’s ability to do a job well. The continuing approach of the Imperial War Museum to the theme is clearly a part of this shift in thinking.
Further information about the exhibition can be found at the museum website. Other points of information about and for gay people in the armed forces include Stonewall and Proud2Serve
