[BBXX]

Originally Posted by Livia

Some people were killed outright and some suffered horrific wounds that were life changing. Some suffered mentally and continue to live a half life because what they saw and experienced changed their life irrevocably. Some leave the army and find it so hard to go back to ordinary life they end up on the streets. Being gay does not compound the suffering of those who've been in combat. There isn't a sliding scale of suffering according to your sexuality. The red poppy is for everyone who served regardless of age, ethnicity or sexual orientation. If gay organisations are concerned perhaps they can start their own organisation which caters only for one group.

I know all that. My point was squarely concentrated on the fact it was illegal to be gay while in the Army and so many people hid that aspect of their lives in order to serve for the country, so there is a complexity to the situation that doesn't exist with any other demographic and this could simply to acknowledge that. I.E: yes, we banned you from joining us because we were discriminatory, and we appreciate your resilience in working for us despite our discrimination.

It's also worth noting this isn't the only variation of the poppy there is. There are purple poppies for animals killed in war and black poppies to commemorate Black British soldiers.

I personally don't see the big deal.