Calls for King to apologise for forces' historical treatment of LGBT+ people

Campaigners are calling on the King to apologise for the way LGBT+ people were treated by the Armed Forces before the ban on their service was lifted 23 years ago.

Until the year 2000, no-one could be openly gay in the British military and if someone was found out, they risked dismissal, disgrace and, in many cases, financial ruin.

LGBT+ forces charity Fighting With Pride and others also want a formal apology from the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government.

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It comes as a new report has shone a light on the lifelong impact of the 'gay ban' in the Armed Forces.

The study carried out by Northumbria University found that many of the LGBT+ people who were dismissed from the military for their sexual orientation are suffering from long-term mental health problems. 

Fighting with Pride (FWP) says 86% of LGBT+ veterans felt dismissal for their sexual orientation or gender identity has affected their mental health.

Findings from the two-year academic study, entitled 'Lost and Found', revealed the following:

• 86% of LGBT+ veterans felt dismissal for sexual orientation or gender identity from the Armed Forces affected their mental health
• 74% of those dismissed said their finances have been affected
• 82% of respondents were subjected to intrusive investigations 
• 72% felt 'vilified' and that they were 'treated like a criminal' 
• 65% of LGBT+ veterans surveyed said it affected their employment and careers 
• 56 % said it had impacted having a place to live
• 84.4% of survey respondents reported being lonely

Duncan Lustig-Prean, 64, who was an officer in the Royal Navy but was dismissed when his superiors found out, and whose case played an instrumental role in overturning the ban, said the "time is right" for an apology from the monarch.

He was speaking about his participation in a Sky documentary, Forced Out, detailing the story of LGBT+ veterans’ experiences in the forces before 2000, how key campaigners pushed for the government to overturn the ban and the impact on their lives since.

Mr Lustig-Prean told the Press Association: "While there have been individual apologies from service chiefs, from individual junior ministers, I want to see the Prime Minister apologise on behalf of the government.

"And, frankly, I think the time is right – although it's a difficult precedent for them to set – for the Commander-in-Chief himself, His Majesty, to apologise as the monarch, our Commander-in-Chief.

"After all, these were people who were prepared to give their lives for him and were treated in that way."

A Government spokesperson said: "We are proud of our LGBT+ veterans and grateful for their service in defence of our nation.

"We can confirm that Lord Etherton has concluded his independent review and submitted his report to the Government.

"In line with the terms of reference, we will carefully consider the findings and respond in due course."

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "His Majesty continues to express his support and thanks to all members of the Armed Forces, in his new role as Commander-in-Chief."

Fighting with Pride wants veterans who suffered to be welcomed into a new, inclusive Armed Forces family, and the military is seen as a very different place today.