LGBTQ+ wreath laid at Eastbourne War Memorial

This year the LGBTQ+ wreath was laid by Derek Andrews and Chris Roby – facilitators of the Eastbourne Rainbow Group.

The 50-plus group was set up nine years ago and is for LGBTQ+ communities living in Eastbourne and the surrounding areas. The group is there for socialising, making new friends, gaining support, and obtaining important information.

Prior to Covid, the group met for monthly meetings and coffee mornings, something that has been put on pause since March.

Derek said, “We can’t meet at the moment, but we still keep in touch with each other. It was a great honour to lay the wreath this year. It is great to recognise and remember the LGBTQ+ people that gave their lives.”

George Chapman was asked to lay the first LGBTQ+ wreath for the British Legion Eastbourne in 2017 and has been the liaison officer between the legion and Eastbourne Borough Council ever since.

George said, “The British Legion wanted to recognise that there were serving members from all the Armed Forces who were gay that had fought alongside others for their country – not only during the two great wars but many other was since then and up to the present day.

“I was honoured to lay the first LGBTQ+ wreath in Eastbourne. Since then, I have ensured that people from the many groups of people which make up the diversity of the community have the opportunity to lay the wreath.

“I would say the wreaths laid each year remind us of the sacrifices made by all those brave men and women – no matter of race, colour or sexual orientation.”