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London: Premier Rishi Sunak On Wednesday he apologized on behalf of the UK government for the transaction LGBT The previous ban on their deployment to the armed forces, said veterans, was an “appalling failure” of the British state.
Sunak’s apology came in the House of Commons when an independent review concluded that pre-2000 investigations into an individual’s sexuality were intrusive and invasive and, for some, had caused long-lasting and severe effects on the lives of veterans and their families.
“The ban on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people serving in our military until the year 2000 was an appalling failure of the British state – decades behind the law of this land,” said Sunak.
“As today’s report makes clear, many in that period suffered the most egregious abuse and sexual violence, homophobic bullying and harassment as they bravely served this country.
“Today, on behalf of the British state, I apologize, and hope all those affected can feel part of the proud veteran community that has done so much to keep our country safe,” he said.
The independent review, chaired by Lord Terence Etherton and jointly mandated by the UK Ministry of Defense and the Office of Veterans Affairs, examined the experiences of staff between 1967 and 2000 who were affected by the ban on homosexuality in the armed forces.
The government previously accepted that the treatment of members of the armed forces and LGBTQ veterans prior to 2000 was completely unacceptable and deeply deplorable.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said: “I am delighted that this review has shed much needed light on a shameful and unacceptable chapter in the history of our armed forces.”
“It is heartbreaking that the tolerance and values ​​we expected our Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen to fight for, have been denied to so many of them. I am glad we now have the opportunity to right those historical wrongs so that LGBTQ veterans can once again be proud of their service,” he said.
The scope of Lord Etherton’s review focused on three main areas, the primary one being the potential impact of historical politics on those affected by the ban, including the consequences for their future lives.
It also looked at access to LGBT veterans’ services and how to ensure that LGBTQ veterans are fully recognized and accepted as members of the armed forces.
“Today’s apology is an important part of addressing the historical hurt many LGBT veterans feel,” Johnny said. MercerMinister of Veterans Affairs.
“We also look to the future as we learn from the past, including increasing support services for veterans affected by the issues raised in this review,” Mercer said.
To support those affected by the historic ban, the VA said it was giving £250,000 to LGBT organizations to provide support services to affected veterans.
This is in addition to the £45,000 in funding given to organizations last year to help them collect evidence for review, according to the MoD.
The review includes 49 recommendations, including restoring medals that were required to be returned upon dismissal or discharge, campaign awards and other medals that were withheld, clarifying pension rights and introducing the veterans badge.
The government has said it is committed to working with LGBTQ veterans of the armed forces to ensure that all remedial measures introduced are appropriate.



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