British Army Joins in Gay Pride March to Welcome Gay Soldiers

The British army regularly attends cultural events and parades in England to drum up support for the military and recruit potential soldiers. This weekend the army decided to take part in another march through the city streets of Manchester with thousands of people watching. Only this time the parade was part of the annual Gay Pride festival, and some of the onlookers were dancing men in makeup dressed in Lycra. There were about a dozen uniformed soldiers participating in the parade and manning a booth to offer recruitment information. The Royal Air Force also took part for their second successive year, but this was the first year that the army has attended. There was no official representation from the Royal Navy, although several parade marchers were dressed in sailors’ uniforms.

Until 2003, all branches of the armed forces in Britain had been allowed by law to dismiss openly homosexual officers. The ban on homosexuals in the general armed forces was lifted five years ago. The Army's Diversity Action and Recruitment Team was largely responsible for the army’s contribution to the festivities. "We don't really care what sexual orientation you are if you want to come and join us in the army," said Logistics Corps warrant officer Lutha Magloire, 39. "The army reflects society and we must recruit from all sections, so if there is prejudice in society it will be in the army also. But the army can only get better the more it represents all the community." The two-mile march, during which soldiers handed out sweets from a decorated float, kicked off a three-day festival celebrating the gay and lesbian lifestyle.

Festival Director Claire Turner told reporters that organizers were delighted the army was coming. "They're showing that they welcome gay people and the Army is something gay people can be interested in." Turner added, "It's an example of the confidence of the RAF that they can have the cockpit of a plane on a float. Last year was a great success for the RAF. "We hope the Army will have more involvement next year and a float as well." Major Glenville Lindsay, of the Royal Artillery, told BBC News that the Army's involvement in the parade was a massive step forward toward acceptance of the gay lifestyle. "It is new, it's different and i think it shows that the Army accepts change and is very progressive, open-minded, embracing diversity, showing a higher degree of tolerance," he said. Lieutenant Colonel Leanda Pitt, Commander Regional Recruiting, North West, echoed the sentiments. "We are delighted to be taking part in Gay Pride this year. As far as the Army is concerned, sexual orientation is a private matter and we are attending to promote the benefits a career in the Army can bring. Over the three days we will be able to reach a large audience and also enjoy the atmosphere that the festival brings to the city."

The Royal Navy issued a statement saying that its decision not to attend was based on the fact that Manchester is not near a naval port, and many Royal Navy service people were out on leave at the time. The festivities were expected to attract at least a quarter million people to the third largest city in Great Britain.