The armed forces’ first LGBTQ+ memorial

Kevin Bazeley, from Worcestershire, was outed and sacked by the RAF for being gay in 1995.

His campaigning has led to the permanent memorial at The National Arboretum, 'The Open Letter', which has been dedicated by The King, as the country's first-ever national tribute to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender military personnel, past and present.

It was illegal to be gay in the British military until 2000. Those who were gay, or were perceived to be, faced intrusive investigations, dismissal and in some cases imprisonment.

This sculpture resembles a crumpled piece of paper containing words from personal letters which were used as evidence to incriminate people.

Image credit: Getty/Christopher Furlong