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Celebrating Pride in the Veteran Community

This month marks the first Pride celebrations since LGBT+ Service personnel and veterans who served under the British Armed Forces homosexuality ban received a formal apology from His Majesty’s Government.

In place from 1955 to 2000, the ban prohibited openly gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals from Serving in the Forces. Thousands of Service personnel had to hide their sexuality or face a dishonourable discharge or forced resignation. It’s estimated that around 5,000 ex-service personnel were penalized for their sexuality before the ban was lifted, not to mention the stigma and shame they would have experienced during Service.

The Prime Minister’s apology, followed the July 2023 publication of the Etherton Review - an independent review commissioned by the UK Government to examine the impact of the ban. The ban was wholly condemned and the Government committed to implementing recommendations aimed at delivering appropriate redress to those affected by the ban and preventing similar discrimination from taking place in the future.

Although the publication of the Etherton Review represented an important step forward, for some veterans the impact of the ban has been devastating and their experiences have continued to affect them many years later in their civilian lives.

While Pride is an opportunity to celebrate the LGBT+ community and its diversity, it’s also an important time for education, advocacy, and acknowledging the ongoing fight for equal rights the community faces.

During research for my Anything But Uniform report, which focused on voices in the veteran community that are less often heard, I spoke with a number of LGBT+ veterans, both individually and in groups facilitated by the LGBT+ military charity Fighting with Pride.

These conversations revealed the depth of feelings of rejection and injustice felt by many veterans who had military careers cut short and who were the subject of conduct that is almost inconceivable today. For some, the harrowing treatment that they receivedcontributed to long term mental ill health, drug and alcohol addiction and homelessness.

These individuals had made the personal sacrifices associated with Serving our country and dedicated their careers to upholding values of freedom that they themselves were denied. While the damage can never be undone, we owe it to our LGBT+ veterans to ensure that they feel seen, represented and recognised within the wider veterans community today, and that they can access support which reflects their unique experiences and meets their specific needs.

My report highlights two key recommendations relating to LGBT+ veterans. The first is that public bodies providing services for veterans should implement diversity and inclusion training that includes awareness of the impact of the LGBT+ ban, and that they should have appropriate policies and practices in place.

The second, aligned with recommendations in the Etherton Review, calls for enhanced arrangements for LGBT+ veterans to march at Pride events and for current scheduling conflicts between Pride Marches and Armed Forces Day events to be resolved. Greater representation at both events is key to strengthening the visibility and presence of LGBT+ veterans in both communities, therefore these barriers to dual participation should be addressed.

While there is still a way to go to in achieving a more inclusive environment for LGBT+ veterans, progress in recent years to welcome and celebrate the community has been encouraging.

Fighting With Pride, which supports people affected by the military homosexuality ban, has been instrumental in this shift. In addition to playing a key role in the campaign which led to the Etherton Review, Fighting With Pride also launched the Pride in Veterans Standard (PiVS) which organisations that work with veterans can join as a sign of their commitment to LGBT+ veterans, serving personnel and their families. Almost 200 organisations across the UK have signed-up, including my office.

Since the mid-2000s, Military involvement at Pride parades has grown significantly, with members of the British Armed Forces marching in uniform. This mirrors the broader acceptance and integration of LGBT+ individuals in the military, with many branches establishing LGBT+ support networks, and training programmes and awareness campaigns being introduced to foster a more inclusive environment.

To all LGBT+ personnel and veterans, this Pride month I honour the significant contribution you have made to our community. Your sacrifices have paved the way for a more inclusive military, and your stories inspire us to continue the fight for justice and equality. We celebrate you, not just for your service, but for your strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to being true to yourselves.

It’s my vision that all veterans in Scotland feel understood, supported and valued by society. Through listening to your experiences, championing your causes, and reflecting your needs in my work, I am committed to helping your voices be heard.