July 23rd 2023.
Rewritten Text:
Outgoing Defence Secretary Ben Wallace recently proposed the exciting idea of a statue of Alan Turing in Trafalgar Square. Turing, the famous wartime codebreaker, was convicted for ‘gross indecency’ with a man and died of cyanide poisoning in 1954 at the age of 41.
The proposal has been welcomed by LGBT+ armed forces charity Fighting With Pride, with Executive Chairman Craig Jones saying: ‘Alan Turing is a man who today the United Kingdom is immensely proud of, but in his life he suffered greatly because of his sexual orientation. His achievements changed the world, and therefore it would be incredible to see him recognised in this way in a position just yards away from Admiral Lord Nelson whose immortal memory we celebrate.’
Jones considers the statue an important way to recognise the contribution of LGBT+ people to the nation’s war efforts. ‘I think [Mr Turing’s] treatment in his time is a stark contrast to the debt we recognise we owe him today,’ he added. ‘[A statue] would recognise that LGBT+ people have, like all others, met the nation’s call during our most difficult times. [Mr Turing] was right up there with the top five people who helped win the Second World War, so I think that makes him worthy.’
The statue, if plans go ahead, would feature on the fourth plinth of Trafalgar Square, which is currently used to showcase temporary artistic installations. The proposal has also received support from Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall, who said he would ‘absolutely support the defence secretary’s campaign to put up a statue of Turing in Trafalgar Square, if that’s what he’s launching’. The idea was first floated by Mr Wallace following a review of the experience of LGBT+ veterans who served prior to the armed forces lifting its ban on homosexuality in 2000.
It is clear that Mr Wallace's recent backing for the initiative came with a formal apology to LGBT+ veterans for their historical mistreatment prior to the 2000 decision to lift the ban on homosexuality in the military. Having a statue of Alan Turing in Trafalgar Square would be a meaningful way to honour and recognise the contributions of LGBT+ people in society.
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