Wearing my LGBTQ+ Pride Poppy

It’s Poppy Season – the lead up to Remembrance Day on the 11th November, when we take a moment to remember those who have died whilst serving in the armed forces. Whilst the date was chosen to mark the end of fighting in the First World War, observance of Remembrance Day is to honour all of those who have died in conflicts.

In Britain and the Commonwealth, it is common to wear a Remembrance Poppy around this time. The traditional poppy is made of a paper red petals and a green leaf, with a black plastic pin and a green plastic stalk. However, wristbands and metal pin badges are available, and this year, I’m wearing a pin badge that combines the poppy with the Progress Pride flag.

What the Pride Poppy represents

As well as being a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I want to wear the Pride Poppy because it also represents the sacrifices made by LGBTQ+ members of the armed forces. When my Pride Poppy arrived, it came in a packet which says:

This badge symbolises support for our LGBTIQ+ community who are a vital part of our Armed Forces past and present. By wearing this badge, you are showing your solidarity with those who have faced discrimination or marginalisation due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, particularly those who served under the Ban, when it was illegal to be gay, lesbian or bisexual in the Armed Forces. The Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag was created by Valentino Vecchietti, an award-winning intersex equality campaigner, providing a symbol of hope and acceptance for all LGBTIQ+ individuals around the world.

I became aware of it thanks to this skeet from Kevin Marks. This was in response to the BBC and/or ITV Studios allegedly editing out pride pins from a recent episode of University Challenge, according to the Leicester Gazette. As almost anyone who appears on BBC TV at this time of year – including Cookie Monster – wears a poppy, the idea that someone wearing a pin that combined a poppy with a pride flag would present a conundrum. It would also almost certainly annoy those on the far right, who seem to be obsessed with everyone wearing a poppy, but hate that LGBTQ+ people should receive the same human rights as all other humans. And overlooking that LGBTQ+ people have every right to be in the armed forces nowadays.

They say to ‘wear your poppy with pride’. I’m certainly wearing my Pride Poppy with pride. You can buy your own from the official Royal British Legion shop, although you’ll need to be quick if you want one in time for Remembrance Sunday.

White Poppies

I should also mention White Peace Poppies, which several friends and colleagues wear (we literally have a Department of Peace Studies). The White Poppy represents all victims of war, including civilians, and challenges attempts to glorify war and conflict. Some choose to wear this instead of, or in addition to, the standard Royal British Legion poppy. They’re available to buy from the Peace Pledge Union.