UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a formal apology on behalf of the British state for the mistreatment of LGBT veterans affected by the pre-2000 ban on their service in the armed forces.
Sunak described the ban as an “appalling failure” and expressed regret for the “horrific sexual abuse, violence, homophobic bullying, and harassment” endured by those brave individuals who served the country.
The apology came in response to an independent review, led by Lord Terence Etherton and co-commissioned by the Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans Affairs, which shed light on the intrusive and invasive pre-2000 investigations into personnel’s sexuality. It also highlighted the severe and long-lasting impacts on the lives of veterans and their families.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace expressed his sorrow at the denial of tolerance and values to LGBT soldiers, sailors, and aviators, vowing to rectify these historic wrongs. The review’s scope focused on examining the consequences of the ban on affected individuals, ensuring accessibility to veterans’ services for LGBT personnel, and promoting their full acceptance as members of the armed forces.
To address the historical hurt experienced by LGBT veterans, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer emphasized the importance of the apology. Moreover, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs announced an allocation of £250,000 to LGBT organizations to provide support services for impacted veterans. This funding complements the £45,000 provided last year to gather evidence for the review. The review also included 49 recommendations, such as the restoration of medals that were previously confiscated and clarification of pension rights for affected individuals.
The British government’s apology marks a significant step towards recognizing past injustices and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all veterans.
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