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While researching this chapter, the story of Len and William brought home how some gay men were accepted and embraced by their Army pals. Stephen Bourne‘s compelling read unearths the tales that are so often overlooked in the history books, remembering officers who ran head first into battle, only to come home to be court-martialled after the war for indecent behaviour.Īs we pay our respects to those who gave their lives for our freedom on Remembrance Day this 11 November, Gay Times has an extract from the book that shines a light on how some gay men were embraced by their comrades.įighting Proud: The Untold Story of the Gay Men Who Served in Two World Wars – Chapter 6: Kiss Me Goodnight, Sergeant MajorĪlthough they were exposed to homophobic attitudes and living a knife-edge existence, fearful of being found out and court-martialled, it is surprising how many gay men were able to assert themselves and avoid trouble in the wartime armed services.
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But decades before the Sexual Offences Act received royal assent, thousands of gay and bisexual men fought for their country during two World Wars.įighting Proud: The Untold Story of the Gay Men Who Served in Two World Wars brings together the forgotten stories of gay men who served in the BAF and on the Home Front. Earlier this year, England and Wales marked 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967.