Private Project

Uncharted Waters: Generations of LGBTQ+ Pride in the Royal Navy

This film explores what life was like for LGBTQ+ Royal Navy personnel serving under the ban on homosexuality in the military and how things have changed since the ban was lifted in 2000. We speak to Duncan who lead the fight to over turn the ban, Ann who served during and after the ban was lifted, Danny and Cole who both served after the ban was lifted. This was a collaboration between filmmaker David Graham, the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Royal Navy LGBTQ+ Network. The film was commissioned by the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

  • David Mark Graham
    Director
  • Jo Valentine
    Producer
  • Duncan Lustig-Prean
    Key Cast
    "himself"
  • Ann
    Key Cast
    "herself"
  • Cole
    Key Cast
    "themself"
  • Daniel
    Key Cast
    "himself"
  • Liam
    Key Cast
    "himself"
  • Nir Perlman
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Web / New Media
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 57 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 25, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • National Museum of the Royal Navy and Royal Navy LGBTQ+ Network film screening
    Portsmouth
    United Kingdom
    March 26, 2024
    N/A
Director Biography - David Mark Graham

David Graham is a filmmaker that makes content and documentaries for a range of educational organisations and corporate clients. David studied at the National Film and Television School and has been working in film for the past six years. Before that he worked in the charity arts and education sector.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film shines light on the huge and terrible impact the ban on homosexuality in the military had on many innocent people. LGBTQ+ personnel were mostly affected but some people were wrongly accused and dismissed with little or no evidence. It wasn't about what people did, it was about who they were. The impact was sudden and life changing, people not only lost their job they would lose their housing, their pension and they often had their rank and medals removed, in many cases people lost friends and family after being outed. Some people went to prison (despite Homosexuality being legal in civil society) and sadly some people took their own lives.

The justification was that people who were homosexual in the military would be a spy risk, but the irony is that this law just made people more vulnerable.

Anyone affected by the ban should look out for the support and compensation provided by the UK government after the Prime Minister's apology. There is a deadline for claiming this, so the word needs to reach everyone who was victim to this unnecessary and cruel law, as veterans have to apply for it themselves.

It was a privilege to be part of this film working with the RN LGBTQ+ network, Duncan and Ann and Jo from the NMRN. Together I think we made a powerful and impactful film