Uncle Buck
Ghost Writer
- Jul 7, 2003
- 28,075
Navy may let uniformed officers join gay pride parade
Staff and agencies
Thursday March 16, 2006
The Royal Navy signalled today that it might, for the first time, allow uniformed officers to attend a gay pride event.
The second sea lord, Vice Admiral Adrian Johns, is expected to say in a speech at a gay rights conference later today that a "significant number" of lesbian and gay sailors are "very keen" to march in uniform at EuroPride in London.
He will add that the navy is working with gay rights campaigners Stonewall and gay officers on the possibility of having an "overt service presence" at the parade on July 1.
Uniformed members of the police, RAF and army have all previously taken part in UK gay pride festivals, but the navy has yet to follow suit.
It is only six years since the government lifted a ban on homosexuals serving in the armed forces after the prohibition was ruled illegal by the European court of human rights in a case brought by Stonewall.
It is hoped the presence of such a senior officer at Stonewall's annual workplace conference will encourage more gays and lesbians to consider a career in the navy.
In February last year, the Royal Navy became the first of the UK armed forces to sign up to a Stonewall scheme to promote fair treatment of gay, lesbian and bisexual employees.
In his speech, Adm Johns is expected to say: "A significant number of Royal Navy lesbian and gay personnel ... are keen to give a strong personal signal that the Royal Navy is an inclusive employer of choice that welcomes and actively champions diversity in its workforce."
He will also say that since 2000, navy policy has shifted towards creating an environment where gays and lesbians can come out without fear of being harassed or bullied.
He is expected to say: "Our mission is to break down barriers of discrimination, prejudice, fear and misunderstanding.
"Not only is this morally right, it is also for us in a fighting force the best way to deliver maximum operational effectiveness."
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, said: "We are delighted at the strengthening relationship between Stonewall and the Royal Navy, and at the recognition by the Royal Navy that supporting gay staff and recruits makes a real contribution to operational effectiveness.
"The plans the navy now have for encouraging gay people are constructive, and we are confident that the RAF and army will soon consider following suit."
Stonewall's Workplace Conference 2006, with the theme "reaping the rewards of a gay-friendly workplace", is being held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.
Staff and agencies
Thursday March 16, 2006
The Royal Navy signalled today that it might, for the first time, allow uniformed officers to attend a gay pride event.
The second sea lord, Vice Admiral Adrian Johns, is expected to say in a speech at a gay rights conference later today that a "significant number" of lesbian and gay sailors are "very keen" to march in uniform at EuroPride in London.
He will add that the navy is working with gay rights campaigners Stonewall and gay officers on the possibility of having an "overt service presence" at the parade on July 1.
Uniformed members of the police, RAF and army have all previously taken part in UK gay pride festivals, but the navy has yet to follow suit.
It is only six years since the government lifted a ban on homosexuals serving in the armed forces after the prohibition was ruled illegal by the European court of human rights in a case brought by Stonewall.
It is hoped the presence of such a senior officer at Stonewall's annual workplace conference will encourage more gays and lesbians to consider a career in the navy.
In February last year, the Royal Navy became the first of the UK armed forces to sign up to a Stonewall scheme to promote fair treatment of gay, lesbian and bisexual employees.
In his speech, Adm Johns is expected to say: "A significant number of Royal Navy lesbian and gay personnel ... are keen to give a strong personal signal that the Royal Navy is an inclusive employer of choice that welcomes and actively champions diversity in its workforce."
He will also say that since 2000, navy policy has shifted towards creating an environment where gays and lesbians can come out without fear of being harassed or bullied.
He is expected to say: "Our mission is to break down barriers of discrimination, prejudice, fear and misunderstanding.
"Not only is this morally right, it is also for us in a fighting force the best way to deliver maximum operational effectiveness."
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, said: "We are delighted at the strengthening relationship between Stonewall and the Royal Navy, and at the recognition by the Royal Navy that supporting gay staff and recruits makes a real contribution to operational effectiveness.
"The plans the navy now have for encouraging gay people are constructive, and we are confident that the RAF and army will soon consider following suit."
Stonewall's Workplace Conference 2006, with the theme "reaping the rewards of a gay-friendly workplace", is being held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.
