Gay veteran 'emotional' to be part of Remembrance

Former Petty Officer Alex Rasmussen was discharged from the Royal Navy for being gay in 1996

A navy veteran who was discharged from the armed forces for being gay has said he feels "proud and emotional" to be part of Remembrance events.

Former Petty Officer Alex Rasmussen, from Bournemouth, was made to leave the Royal Navy in 1996 after colleagues discovered his sexuality.

The government said it deeply regretted the historic mistreatment of LGBT people in the military, with 2025 marking 25 years since the ban on gay personnel was lifted.

The 58-year-old will join other members of the LGBTQ+ veterans charity Fighting With Pride at the Festival of Remembrance and the Cenotaph in London.

Alex Rasmussen was 16 when he joined the Royal Navy in 1983

Looking through photographs from his time in the Royal Navy, Mr Rasmussen reflected on how much he loved the job.

"It was an exciting career," he said, adding: "I felt part of a team".

Joining up as a 16-year-old in 1983, he trained to be a catering accountant and chef, rising to be a Petty Officer Caterer and serving on a number of ships.

But Mr Rasmussen knew he had to be careful if he was to keep his career. He was a gay man at a time when it was illegal to be gay in the British armed forces.

A double life

Unknown to his bosses, Mr Rasmussen had a civilian gay partner in Portsmouth.

"I was leading a double life," he said.

"I had to make sure no-one was aware of him - I had to think about everything I said."

Mr Rasmussen lived in fear of investigation by the authorities, having seen fellow gay colleagues lose their jobs.

"Their whole lives were picked apart, their families were contacted by the Special Investigation Branch," he recalled.

Alex Rasmussen said losing his naval career was "devastating"

In 1996 a colleague found out about his sexuality and threatened to tell his superiors.

Mr Rasmussen was left with no choice but to reveal his secret to the Captain. He remembers being told they were sorry to lose someone of his calibre but "rules had to be followed".

Alex was subsequently discharged from the Royal Navy, a decision he found devastating.

He said a senior commander's parting words to him were: "We don't want your sort in the Navy."

Members of LGBTQ+ veterans charity "Fighting with Pride" pictured at Remembrance events in London in 2023

After decades of campaigning, the ban on gay personnel serving in the British military was lifted in 2000.

To mark the 25th anniversary, LGBTQ+ veterans charity Fighting With Pride will have its largest ever contingent of people taking part in the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on 8 November, and the Cenotaph Parade on 9 November.

Chief Executive of Fighting With Pride, Peter Gibson, said more than seventy veterans would attend: "For our veterans to march together and carry the Fighting With Pride standard is hugely significant and restorative".

Mr Rasmussen described being invited to be part of the events as "phenomenal", adding it had been on his bucket list forever.

"Going and feeling welcome and going as myself is just beyond words," he said.

"The most important thing for me is to go and remember colleagues and all of our war dead."

Alex received an apology from the Royal Navy for his treatment in 2024 which he said "exorcised the ghosts" and helped him to move on.

The Ministry of Defence said: "The Government commends the courage of those who have shared their experiences."

It said "tangible actions" had been taken, including LGBT Financial and non-Financial Restorative Measures for those affected.

A spokesperson added: "We remain dedicated to ensuring all personnel feel valued, respected and able to thrive in our Armed Forces."