Compensation totaling over £31 million has been distributed to 949 LGBTQ veterans by the government to address the impact of the historical ban on gay individuals serving in the armed forces.
The Ministry of Defence has enhanced its payments team and implemented an automated processing system to accelerate applications to the Financial Recognition Scheme.
The ban on LGBTQ personnel serving in the Army, Royal Navy, and RAF persisted until 2000, resulting in the dismissal of numerous individuals who faced harassment, bullying, forced outing, and even imprisonment due to their sexual orientation.
Louise Sandher-Jones MP, Minister for Veterans and People, expressed the government’s commitment to rectifying the past mistreatment of LGBTQ personnel and emphasized the need for swift support through increased resources allocated to the Financial Recognition Scheme.
The Financial Recognition Scheme acknowledges the unjust treatment of LGBTQ personnel between 1967 and 2000, with a deadline set for December 2026, urging more LGBTQ veterans to step forward. Priority is given to elderly applicants, those with severe health conditions, and individuals experiencing significant financial difficulties.
The Mirror has long advocated for Fighting With Pride’s campaign to secure recognition, support, and compensation for LGBTQ Veterans.
Claire Ashton, a transgender woman and former gunner in the Royal Artillery who faced bullying as early as 1969, hailed the compensation as the “culmination of a lengthy journey.” She emphasized the significance of the government and Ministry of Defence acknowledging their wrongdoing.
Earlier this year, King Charles paid tribute at a new memorial honoring LGBTQ+ armed forces veterans, standing in solidarity with those impacted by the ban. Fighting With Pride, the LGBTQ+ Armed Forces charity, applauded the progress but stressed the need for further improvements, particularly concerning the speed of decision-making processes and inclusion of veterans dismissed before 1967.
Chief Executive Peter Gibson urged the government to enhance publicity efforts to ensure all eligible veterans are informed and included in the compensation scheme.
