LGBTQ Recipients of the Order of Merit

Order of Merit

The Order of Merit is awarded personally by the reigning monarch of Great Britain for distinguished service in the armed forces, literature, the arts, sciences, and culture within the Commonwealth. It was first presented by King Edward VII in 1902. Only 24 living people may be recipients at any one time. Members of the Order of Merit meet every two years with the reigning monarch.

There have been several LGBTQ individuals who have received the Order of Merit. Of particular note:

• lesbian Florence Nightingale was the first woman ever to received the Order of Merit;
• Two living gay individuals are current honourees:

    * the artist, David Hockney;
    * Neil MacGregor, the Director of the British Museum.

LGBTQ members of the Order of Merit include:

• Frederick Ashton, ballet dancer and choreographer
• Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides
• Baron Benjamin Britten, composer
• E. M. Forster, writer
• John Gielgud, actor
• David Hockney, artist
• Neil MacGregor, academic and Director of the British Museum
• Florence Nightingale, medicine

See Also

• Order of Canada
• Order of Australia
• New Zealand Order of Merit

Further Reading/Research

• http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Honours/OrderofMerit/OrderofMerit.aspx
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3041009/Who-s-world-s-exclusive-club-Members-Order-Merit-join-Queen-lunch-Windsor-Castle-meeting-happens-five-years.html
• http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/queen-honours-gay-artist-david-hockney

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