Portsmouth Historic Quarter Wraps Former Royal Navy Landing Craft in Pride Colors
Portsmouth’s Historic Quarter has wrapped a former Royal Navy landing craft in Pride colours to mark 25 years since the ban on gay people serving in the UK armed forces was lifted. The project was organised with the charity Fighting with Pride (the maritime city will host UK Pride on 7 June). Now, visitors can step onboard the delightfully bright vessel for trips in the local area.
Landing Craft Foxtrot 8 (F8) will be on display until end of September 2025. The vessel was used in the Falklands War, and has become the first in British history to be wrapped in the rainbow colours.
‘This project recognises the injustices LGBTQ+ service members once faced,’ says Portsmouth Historic Quarter on X (formerly known as Twitter). ‘Many Falklands veterans were forced to hide who they were, live in fear, face investigation, discharge, or even criminalisation – not because of how they served, but because of who they were. This project commemorates the resilience and progress of those who served in silence . . . . This is about people. This is about pride. Above all this is about remembrance.’
Until January 2000, LGBTQ+ people were banned from serving in the UK’s armed forces and faced dishonourable discharge, loss of medals, surveillance and interrogation.
In December 2024, the Ministry of Defence announced the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, which enables anyone impacted by the ban while serving in the armed forces between 1967 and 2000 to apply for recognition payments up to £50,000.
Roly Woods, the memorial officer for Fighting with Pride (a charity which supports the health and wellbeing of LGBT+ veterans, service personnel and their families), estimates that hundreds of LGBTQ+ veterans are yet to come forward for compensation or to have their medals returned.
“The unveiling of Landing Craft F8 in her Pride colours is a celebration of real progress for the LGBTQ+ community in the armed forces, and it is an extremely proud moment for both LGBTQ+ veterans and for those serving today,” he says.
Of course, wrapping the craft in rainbow colours has exercised the few.
According to the Daily Mail (the anti-woke warrior, stoking the battle against anything or anyone which shows a spark of dissent to it’s cultural hegemony), retired Colour Sergeant Dean Ferguson, who served in the Falklands, says: “Our Falklands dead will be turning in their graves.”
The paper reports that Rear Adm Chris Parry labelled the boat’s wrapping ‘quite divisive’. “This is something that has been fought and won. The drum doesn’t need banging any more.”
Earlier this month, the head of the Royal Navy was suspended. Reports say Adm Ben Key was asked to ‘step back’ as first sea lord.
The MoD told the Guardian that Key departed for ‘private reasons, while the Spectator says claims of an alleged affair, with a junior female officer, are being investigated.
Last year Key issued an unreserved apology for ‘intolerable’ misogyny in the Submarine Service, after a series of investigations across the navy exposed sexual harassment, bullying and assault of women within its ranks.
“To those under the age of 40, it seems astonishing that men and women who served with courage and were willing to risk their lives for their country, were punished for their sexual orientation. They deserve our gratitude and respect,” says Hannah Prowse, chief executive officer of Portsmouth Historic Quarter.
“In wrapping Landing Craft F8 in this manner, we’re celebrating the inclusivity now present in our armed forces, celebrating the men and women who serve and have served our country with honour, and celebrating the bravery of those who fought to overturn the ban.”
It’s been a busy few months for Portsmouth in Marine Industry News. A diver from the city bought a shipwreck on Facebook Marketplace for £300, and three teenagers were arrested after Portsmouth boatyard fire. The city has SailGP’s tour date to look forward to. The event in Portsmouth takes place on 19-20 July 2025 against the backdrop of iconic attractions such as the Spinnaker Tower and Southsea Castle. Tickets can be purchased online.
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