Woke-Bashing of the Week: Royal British Legion refuses to buckle under Reform councillor’s anti-LGBTQ+ tirade
Another Reform councillor behaving badly.
The Royal British Legion (RBL) has refused to bow to pressure from a Reform UK councillor who branded the charity’s decision to sell LGBTQ+ Pride badges an insult to veterans and accused the charity of indulging in “woke virtue signalling.”
Joseph Boam, who represents Whitwick ward on Leicestershire County Council, took aim at the RBL over its decision to feature Pride badges in its online shop. Taking to Facebook, Boam wrote:
“This is an insult to every veteran who wore the poppy with pride. I am deeply disappointed.
“People support the Poppy Appeal every year to honour those who served. Not to push political agendas.
“Who else has had enough of this woke virtue signalling crap!”
His outburst prompted a backlash, with people pointing out the uncomfortable history of discrimination against gay people in the British Armed Forces.
Homosexual acts were once criminalised under British military law, with service personnel facing court martial, imprisonment or dismissal. As one commenter pointed out: “For the fact Homosexual acts (‘indecency’) were illegal under British military law and could lead to court-martial, prison sentences, or dismissal yes, I think we do owe them remembrance.”
Rather than retreat in the face of the criticism, the RBL stood by its decision, explaining that the badge represents solidarity with LGBTQIA+ Armed Forces personnel who have experienced discrimination or marginalisation because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The ban on gay and bisexual personnel serving openly in the UK military was lifted in 2000, following a change in Ministry of Defence policy.
The RBL has previously faced criticism over its treatment of LGBT+ veterans, including allegations that Pride wreaths had been ordered to be removed and destroyed.
In 2022, the charity apologised for its historic discrimination against the LGBT+ community and veterans, following pressure from activist Peter Tatchell. He had called on the organisation to issue a public apology for its past actions, accusing it of failing to acknowledge LGBT+ people serving in the Armed Forces and opposing LGBT+ veterans’ participation in a Remembrance Sunday parade.
Explaining the purpose of its Poppy Pride badge to LBC, the charity said it was intended to show support for those who had faced discrimination or marginalisation because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, particularly those who served before the ban was lifted in 2000.
“Providing visible symbols of support for the LGBTQIA+ Armed Forces community is an important show of allyship and a demonstration that the RBL is a safe and inclusive space,” it added.
Boam’s indignation about supposed political agendas might carry more weight if his own conduct had not attracted considerable scrutiny.
The Reform councillor has been sanctioned following multiple breaches of the council’s code of conduct. Complaints from former monitoring officer Lauren Haslam and Conservative councillor Ozzy O’Shea resulted in findings that he had repeatedly breached the code. He was ordered to apologise over what were described as “reckless” and “disingenuous” social media posts, as well as an “insidious form of public pressure” directed at a former council employee.
Another Reform councillor behaving badly. Thank goodness the RBL refused to pander to such seemingly discriminatory demands.
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