Thursday 11th July 2019
Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt joined over 250 LGBT+ armed forces and civilian Defence personnel to march in the Pride parade in London at the weekend.
She joined personnel from all three uniformed Services and MOD civilian staff and marched to music provided by the RAF Central Band.
Earlier in the day, the Defence Secretary welcomed those participating in the march at an event at the Victory Services Club in central London.
The Armed Forces has long recognised the valuable contribution LGBT+ service personnel make to defence. This year, all three services are featured in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers for LGBT+ people, and the MOD recently announced new measures to create more modern and flexible accommodation, including allowing cohabitation of same-sex couples, in MOD properties.
Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said:
“Our LGBT+ service personnel and allies are proud to be marching in the London Pride parade which reflects and recognises the value they bring to the whole of society.
“The Ministry of Defence is an open and welcome employer, and we are fully committed to increasing diversity across the forces to better reflect the country we serve.
“Today is a day to thank those LGBT+ personnel who work so hard to serve, and it has been an honour to meet and march alongside so many of them today.”
The 2019 Pride parade also marks the 20-year anniversary of Flt Lt (Ret’d) Caroline Paige becoming the first supported transgender officer in the British Military.
