‘No More Shame:’ British Monument Honors LGBT Veterans

Ruth Birch and Julia Currey fell in love with each other while serving in the British Army. But because the U.K. had a ban on same-sex couples until 2000, Currey and Birch’s relationship was shrouded in secrecy until they eventually decided separate and leave the army. 

While the pain and humiliation they endured decades ago can never be rectified, Britian has found a way to honor LGBT veterans, while acknowledging a history of discrimination. A large sculpture, called “An Opened Letter,” has been placed in the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England. In his first official engagement to support the LGBT community in Britian, King Charles III dedicated the sculpture on Oct. 27. 

Birch, proud of the monument, told the BBC it’s a “significant piece of history.” 

Oh, and Currey, the girl she fell head-over-heels for back in their military days? They’re together again, having reunited through social media. The couple are married and still reside in England. 

Shame and Scorn 

Birch said keeping her relationship with Currey under wraps left her emotionally drained and mentally exhausted. 

The sculpture represents a beacon of hope and a pathway toward healing old wounds. “There’s no more shame now,” Currey said. 

Before the ban was lifted 25 years ago, LGBT servicemembers, and even those perceived as gay, faced intense ostracization from the British military, including being investigated, kicked out, or even prosecuted. 

The sculpture depicts a crumpled document filled with words in letters between couples that was taken as evidence to incriminate LGBT servicemembers. 

Birch and Currey met while stationed in Northern Ireland. 

“We knew that our relationship was wrong according to the army, and we kept it a complete secret as best we could; we didn’t even acknowledge each other,” Currey said.

Despite being in love, the pair were like ships passing in the night. “It was so difficult because you have to be two people all the time – it was mentally exhausting.”

The monument in Staffordshire was Birch’s idea. The veteran serves as an ambassador for Fighting with Pride, a charity group for LGBT veterans. She felt the sculpture would be an appropriate honor and recommended it to Lord Etherington’s LGBT Veterans Review. 

The couple was separated when Currey, known as “Ju,” was shipped off to Cyprus for six months. Knowing their mail was being scrutinized, Birch and Currey started using code words in their letters. 

“We wrote letters to each other every day – they were called blueys, and they were like an airmail letter,” she said.

“So, to have the open letter, that is what the memorial is called, is extremely significant to both of us.”

Despite living in secret, the British Army still found out about their relationship and gave them an ultimatum. Either resign or face dishonorable discharge. 

They chose to break up and leave the military. 

‘Bittersweet day’ 

For Currey and Birch, the monument dedication was a “bittersweet day.” She praised King Charles for acknowledging the pain and injustice they, and many other LGBT veterans, endured. 

“The only crime we committed was falling in love,” Currey said. “We served our Queen and country with honor and dignity.” 

While they can’t change the past, they’re hopeful for a future of acceptance and love. 

“No more shame now. We are veterans and so damn proud,” Currey said. 

Decades after the couple split, Currey spotted Birch on a TV show. She used social media to reconnect and rekindle the romance. 

“It means so much to me that the monument not only shows what LGBT veterans went through before the ban was lifted,” Birch said. “It’s such a significant piece of history.” 

 LGBT veterans now have a prominent place in Britain’s military history. 

“It ensures that our story of when we served with such pride and dignity for our Queen and country, treated so cruelly, that it’s never forgotten and we all stand with courage, dignity and respect.”

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