The Ministry of Defence announces (02 Jul 2010) that ten years after the ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces was lifted, the first Quad Service Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) conference is being held at the MoD's Main Building in London today. Welcome as this is, it is seen as being in stark contrast to the Ministry's ambivalent attitude to the armed forces federation, which individual personnel of any rank are permitted to join, but (unlike other businesses and support organisations) is still being denied MoD permission to visit bases and circulate information material with the willing permission of commanding officers.

The LGBT Conference precedes Saturday's 'Pride London' event, during which members of the armed forces will march in uniform. Participants are entitled to duty travel costs within the UK subject to budget manager approval. BAFF wishes them a successful day.

• First LGBT Conference held in MoD Main Building
• Ministry of Defence LGBT Forum: 'The MoD Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Forum was formed in order to represent and promote the interests of the MoD LGBT community'
• Proud2Serve

'Quad Service' is a currently fashionable MoD term encompassing the three armed services together with the Civil Service.