What in holy hell is this monstrosity???

[punnedout]

https://www.poppyshop.org.uk/products/pride-poppy-badge

Why, just why??? Why does something as pure as remembrance need to be politicised with trans and queer ideology? Or am I being unreasonable to be triggered?!

Just had a look, no other 'political' / sectional poppy badges, none for women or BAME, or gurkhas etc for example.

Nice to see The A Team get a nod though.

This is the one for Black soldiers

I missed that.

I don’t regard that as political though, nor would I for women/gurkhas (to use the other examples above)

So you think a poppy badge for gay or trans soldiers is different for a poppy for black soldiers? Why? It all raises money for the same charity but represents the sacrifices made by those soldiers. This seems like naked bigotry.

The Flying Nightingales were women. Why do they not count?

Not sure you can buy it at poppyshop. It's officially acknowledged though

There's one for the women who kept the country running while the men were fighting in WW2. There's one for almost every football team and rugby team. But sure, the one badge that represents LGBT soldiers is a 'monstrosity'. Just own your bigotry and save everyone the trouble of hearing your denials.

I have just checked the link, I can't see the black poppy one on the poppyshop nor the women one, can someone link?

It was forbidden/sackable (not sure what the correct term is) to be gay in the army (all armed services?) long after being homosexual stopped being illegal. Kelly Holmes has talked about it. So I don't begrudge people marking the fact that gay members of the services would have lived in fear of being discovered.

Really? You can't run a search for the word 'women' and find the multiple ones. Sure. https://www.poppyshop.org.uk/search?q=women

Much easier to just spew homophobia and transphobia, eh?

The one OP is talking about is an official Royal British Legion poppy. I doubt the others are

You doubt based on what?

There’s one to celebrate all the football fans https://www.poppyshop.org.uk/products/tottenham-hotspur-poppy-football-pin-2026?_su_rec=TbBYBapwUxXprV8ljqu0KkQN8cSJ71MJXHVGTJXgTKX7qLW4u2pMUmrzhMo9rLCpjpOyd509x5E5T6qstgm5sgmvcza-pXVSNUWmICioNXkyZN6i10K4oqXuIcEExg1Vx9A0bG-Nib73buwXRutB25O6_NuJt-5Uv8OsOiK3xqoNGlGmX5YIFyXMKuKX_7E9NSx4TmsrGQTfAyCs_sbs9bi-2WqyLWLcwjbsEWkGf_WZta6-88OROX8Y6VQWC2GPrkIWOua_y956Lv-XXQ_q7RuIi6nzX1ao2JPZ9zJZDjs&_su_rec_id=583e6454-1011-4b25-8839-83fe00d58859-1793044641

Various ones for specific women’s corps.

One for people who celebrate the contribution of Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, ones for scotty dogs and highland cows, robins (a lot of animal themes), and that just on the official site!

What is odd is that on the official site there are none for black soldiers specifically, but, I’m sure they can pick another if they like football or highland cows 🙄

I was looking in the 'poppy pins and badges' section which was the original link.

I think you'll find i didn't comment either way, just said I couldn't see other sectional / political badges.

Thank you.

You might not, and that’s wonderful, but sadly others do.

On the misplaced assumption that their lack of enthusiasm for past alternatives (eg white poppy and war animal recognition) would mean they restrict their products to a narrow range. However now I've seen the tat they're spewing out I realise I was wrong.

But the black isn’t on the official site as far as I can see?

Of course there willl be people who wear the 'Pride' Poppy in remembrance of the LGB soldiers who fell in service, but that should be the proper Rainbow flag, not this appropriative gubbins. There are, I believe, a handful of TIM servicemen, but have any of them fallen in service?

I can't help wondering whether the people who will buy and wwear that poppy will be doing so as a refelction of their own beliefs, not to truly represent fallen British soldiers.

As well as the standard lapel poppy, I've often bought a non-cross wood-mounted poppy for the Field of Remembrance (I'm not Christian), and written on it the names of British soldiers of my religion who fell. But beyond that I would think it a complete cheek for me to think that my beliefs should be reflected in the poppy. It is a non-denominational symbol.

I'm quite amazed at the large number of different designs. I'm not sure whether i think it is a good thing or not.

I agree re an LGB poppy, my Grandad used to talk fondly about gay men in his squadron and how they couldn’t admit to their sexuality which was obviously incredibly wrong. It’s the use of the extended flag that bothers me, because I regard it as a toxic political ideology being forced upon us from every angle.

I know what you mean. I suppose if it raises more money it’s a good thing

Yes, agree with this 100%

I have to say I dont usually worry too much about poppies and have always felt it should be a personal choice, not being forced to wear a poppy (like presenters on tv).

The web site is so badly designed and not helpful but have found this, in terms of "official poppies" as opposed to those on sale as money spinners. ie getting football fans to buy something they wouldn't normally care about.

Who Owns the "Official" Poppy Colours?

The four colours are distinct entities run by different groups:

• Red: The trademarked emblem of the Royal British Legion. It specifically honors British and Commonwealth Armed Forces veterans and their families. 1]
• Purple: Run by the War Horse Memorial (formerly Animal Aid). It honors the animal victims of war. The RBL permits them to use the word "poppy," but it is not an RBL product. 1, 2]
• Black: Designed by the independent organisation BlackPoppyRose to commemorate Black, African, Caribbean, and Indigenous contributions to the war effort. 1, 2]
• White: Distributed by the Peace Pledge Union as a symbol of pacifism and remembering all victims of war, including civilians. 1, 2]

While no new standalone colours have been introduced, you may be seeing new multi-coloured variants or material changes on the RBL website:

• The Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag Poppy: The RBL sells an official Pride Flag Poppy Badge in their online shop. It keeps the traditional red poppy structure but layers the LGBTQ+ flag beneath or beside it to honour queer servicemen and women.
• The Green Leaf and Stem Redesign: In late 2023, the RBL launched its first completely plastic-free paper poppy. Because it is made entirely of paper, the traditional black plastic stem was replaced with a green paper leaf and stem, making the final piece look more visually two-toned (red and green) than older variations.
• The Khadi Poppy: Though launched slightly before 2022 (for the 2018 centenary), the RBL still features the Khadi Poppy. It is the traditional red colour but hand-woven from South Asian khadi cotton to recognise the massive contribution of Indian soldiers in WWI. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

But as the web site promote badges by favourites, etc., they dont help themselves or those who want to at least see the core values.

Late update! Apparently the Pride Poppy was created as part of the atonement of acknowledging the active discrimination against gay men and lesbians in the armed forces. So as such (IMO) should not be a "Pride" flag but an LGB Flag.

So basically Stonewall politics won over LGB Alliance politics at RBL HQ!