Serving with Pride

Wing Commander Mark Abrahams joined the Air Force in 1990 and spent 10 years flying on Chinooks before the ban on LGBT service personnel was lifted.

In the years since, he’s been at the centre of the resulting cultural change whilst working in policy at the Ministry of Defence.

Adam Powney has been talking to him for our new podcast series “Serving with Pride”.

This Pride, BFBS is celebrating how far our Armed Forces have come from accepting, to welcoming, to championing their LGBTQ+ service personnel.

Adam Powney has been finding out more from Commander Mandy McBain MBE, Brigadier Clare Phillips CBE, Flight Lieutenant Louise Tagg, Able Rate Nicole Scahill and Wing Commander Mark Abrahams.

Able Rate Nicole Scahill recently became co-chair of Royal Navy Compass which defines itself as the sexual orientation, gender identity and expression network of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Maritime Reserves and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Adam Powney has been talking to her for our new podcast series “Serving with Pride” and asked her about the accommodation available for gay couples in the Navy.

Flight Lieutenant Louise Tagg has been in the RAF for 9 years.

Before joining the forces, she played volleyball for England and now represents the RAF and UKAF in various sports.

Adam Powney has been talking to her for our new podcast series “Serving with Pride”.

Brigadier Clare Phillips CBE joined the Army in 1995 when there was still a ban on LGBT people serving in the forces.

Adam Powney has been talking to her for our new podcast series “Serving with Pride”.

Commander Mandy McBain MBE left the Royal Navy in 2012 after 25 years of service which included leading her colleagues at London Pride in 2008.

After working for Stonewall for ten years she has re-joined the senior service on an additional duties contract.