Whilst America debates the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the UK military show just how it's done in a modern, cosmopolitan, all encompassing army. Yes, as arguments reign in the States, one of Britain's most distinguished and oldest regiments celebrates a wedding, but not just any wedding, it's first gay wedding!
James Wharton whose 23 is a lance corporal with the UK's Household Cavalry, last week he married his air steward boyfriend Thom McCaffrey, in London. He was in his ceremonial dress uniform at the time, and later they went to the warrant officers mess at what is one of the most prestigious army regiments in the whole of the UK armed forces, to hold their wedding reception.
The Household Cavalry is perhaps most famous and well known for it's Royal duties, protecting the Queen during state occasions. It's also in the news at the moment as part of the regiment is serving in Afghanistan along with the fact that the Queen's own grandsons, Prince Harry and Prince William are serving members of the regiment.
The 23 year old told Terri Judd at the UK's Independent newspaper of the amazing support he's had from not only his fellow soldiers, but also from his commanding officers. "The entire regiment has been really supportive! I went to ask the Squadron Leader, Major Nana Twumasi-Ankrah, for permission to get married, he just said 'This is fantastic, congratulations'."
"The lads joked it was the gay event of the year. Everyone was excited. It was the talk of the barracks. This generation of soldiers is completely liberal," he told the paper, and his only regret is that some of his friends would not be back from Afghanistan in time to enjoy the wedding.
"Colour, creed, age and who you sleep with all become irrelevant when you're both being shot at. All that matters to me is that he is an effective, well-trained and fit operational soldier," Were the words of his troop leader, Captain Michael Fry. "I hope people will focus less on lance corporal Wharton's sexuality, and more on the fact that he is a good soldier."
"The Household Cavalry has a fine tradition of leading from the front, so it is unsurprising that we continue to represent the face of the modern Army," Said his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Crispin Lockhart MBE. "We recognise and value individuals from diverse backgrounds who bring fresh ideas, knowledge, experience and talent to the regimental family."
The two met years previously, but on a recent trip to New York, they decided to make their relationship official. "We just clicked when we met. We laugh a lot together," Thom McCaffrey said. "It is really quite strange. I went to the regiment's Christmas ball and we were the first gay couple to go there and everyone was really nice. I would have thought they would have been more old-fashioned but they have been brilliant."
It's an amazing testament to the way things have changed in the UK military in the ten years since the ban on gays serving in the armed forces was lifted. It's positively uplifting that the one of the the oldest and strongest and proudest army regiments in the world, not only allow one of their openly gay serving officers get married in uniform, but also back him all the way and give permission for him to hold his reception in the regimental barracks in London's Knightsbridge.
After Thom and James enjoy a honeymoon in San Francisco they will be enjoying married life together - in official army married quarters in service family accommodation, another thing that would have been unheard of ten years ago.
With tears of pride in my eyes, I wish them well.
Jason Shaw
GayAgenda.com's UK Correspondent.
Jason's own blog, The Seafront Diaries, a collection of tales from the mind of an eccentric British ex go go boy!
© 2010 Copyright Jason Shaw
No comments:
Post a Comment