I was scared that the moment I told her would be the moment she would never speak to me again.īut I was wrong. We chatted solidly for six hours before I worked up the courage to tell her. I had spent 30+ years hiding my true identity in fear of losing my family if they found out. I travelled 450 miles to visit my sister, to tell her that I identified as female and intended to transition gender and would hopefully be allowed to stay in the RAF. Members of the British Army worked alongside Stonewall in 2019. In every part of the military, LGBTQ+ people – just like you – serve with pride.Īlongside their advice, this article also provides information on all service LGBTQ+ support groups and LGBT veteran organisations available to members of the Armed Forces community. All you have to remember is this: you are not alone.Īnd that could not be truer than in the Armed Forces.įor more than 20 years, LGBTQ+ people have served lawfully and with authenticity in the three armed services and the Ministry of Defence. Of course, it is entirely normal to feel like this.
As a rite of passage, everybody who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer will likely face this moment with great trepidation. To mark Pride month, currently serving LGBTQ+ members of the Armed Forces and those who served before lifting the ban in 2000 have provided their top tips to coming out in the military.Įvery member of the LGBTQ+ community faces the prospect of coming out to family, friends, and colleagues for the first time.