Eight RAF officers are to become the first members of the armed forces to take part in a gay pride rally with official permission. The officers will staff a special float at Manchester Pride this weekend, as part of an RAF recruitment drive.
By law the forces could dismiss practising gay and lesbian officers until January 2003.
However, a European Court of Human Rights ruling has stated the ban breaches the right to a private life.
'Sexual orientation'
An RAF spokeswoman said: "Along with the other armed forces, the RAF tries to reflect the community from which it draws it members.
"We have recruitment policies that recognise that people from different backgrounds can make positive contributions.
"An individual's sexual orientation is none of the RAF's business."
Last month, Brian Paddick, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, marched alongside 100 uniformed gay police officers at London Gay Pride.
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