A Falklands War landing craft has become the first war vessel in British history to be wrapped in rainbow colours to celebrate Pride, igniting fierce debate among veterans and politicians.
The vessel, Foxtrot 8, which once carried Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment troops during the 1982 conflict, was decorated by Portsmouth Historic Quarter in partnership with the charity Fighting With Pride to mark 25 years since the ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces was lifted.
While supporters view the makeover as a tribute to inclusivity ahead of UK Pride events in Portsmouth on June 7, critics—including former Royal Navy officers and MPs—have called it disrespectful, with one veteran claiming, “Our Falklands dead will be turning in their graves.”
Rear Admiral Chris Parry, who served in the war, described the move as “quite divisive,” arguing that acceptance of LGBT service members is already well established and no longer needs to be highlighted in such a way.
The temporary wrap will be removed in September.
