Imperial War Museum North. © IWM North

It was decriminalised in 1967, but homosexuality remained an offence within the armed forces of Britain for decades to come. Even after the law was updated in 1994, the battle continued to lift the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life in the military until it was finally won in 2000.

Manchester’s Imperial War Museum North (IWM North) is now looking for personal stories for a new exhibition about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) experiences of serving in the Armed Forces in the last 60 years, which has seen such a great change in attitudes.

The photographic display, Military Pride, will run from July 12 to October 12 2008, revealing the experiences of LGBT people in conflict and the military service, with personal testimonies and portraits.

The exhibition will also aim to provide a historical context, with a timeline of post-1945 legislature and policies within the Armed Forces. It is timed to connect with the Manchester Pride Festival.

“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,” said Catherine Roberts, Visitor Programmes Manager, Imperial War Museum North. “With your help hopefully we can make a step towards helping to reveal and celebrate it.”

Organisers would love to hear from those who would like to share their experiences with the possibility that your story may be part of the final display of around 10 personal testimonies which reflect how war and conflict have shaped people in the LGBT communities’ lives from 1945 to the present day.

As well as reflecting adversity the display will aim to celebrate the achievements and reflect the positive contributions of the LGBT communities to the Armed Forces and examine how experiences may have changed since 1945.

“We look forward to hearing from people as soon as possible – we are hoping to finalise content by the end of March,” said Catherine.

To find out how you can get involved or for more information please contact Catherine Roberts (0161 836 4062 croberts@iwm.org.uk) or James McSharry (0161 836 4099 jmcsharry@iwm.org.uk) at Imperial War Museum North.

Imperial War Museum North presently offers tours and events relating to LGBT experience in war and conflict from the First World War to the present day, and continues to gather testimonies of all those whose lives have been shaped by war

To view a timeline on equal rights in the British Armed Forces from 1955 onwards see www.proud2serve.net.