British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a formal apology on Wednesday for the historical mistreatment of LGBTQ+ veterans in the UK armed forces. The apology follows a recently published independent review detailing the impact of the ban on homosexuals serving in the military, which was in effect until 2000.
The review, conducted by retired judge Terence Etherton, gathered testimony from over 1,100 veterans, revealing a pattern of "homophobic bigotry" within the armed forces. The report documented instances of harassment, abuse, sexual assault, and discriminatory investigations, some of which led to veterans taking their own lives or attempting suicide.
Sunak addressed Parliament, acknowledging the "horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment" endured by veterans while serving their country. He offered an apology on behalf of the British state.
The report also highlighted the loss of medals, pensions, and other entitlements suffered by veterans due to their sexual orientation. It recommended financial compensation for victims, even in cases where legal time limits have passed. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated the government's agreement with the compensation recommendation, but did not provide specific details or a timeline.
Olympic gold medalist Kelly Holmes, a former army veteran who publicly came out as gay in 2022, expressed the significance of the government's apology, reflecting on the personal impact the ban had on her life and identity for over three decades.
The ban on homosexuality in the UK military was lifted in 2000 following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in favor of four service members who were discharged based on their sexuality.
