People who were impacted by the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the military forces are urged to reply to a 17-week call for evidence in order to develop suggestions to make sure that every LGBT veteran’s contribution is recognized and acknowledged.
All individuals who served in the UK Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000, as well as their families, as well as scholars and organizations with an interest in the UK Armed Forces and the LBGT community, are encouraged to respond.
The request for evidence has been created to be simple to use, quick to fill out, and accessible.
People can express themselves by filling out this online survey or by using Freepost.
Veterans who are impacted by the UK armed forces ban will be able to respond to the call for evidence regardless of where they reside.
Following the appointment of The Lord Etherton PC QC last month, this demand for evidence has been made.
According to Lord Etherton PC, QC:
The goal of the Review is to offer the government recommendations supported by evidence on how to best fulfill its commitment to ensure that all veterans’ experiences are understood and their military service is valued, as well as how to best recognize and address the injustice of the expulsion of LGBT service members prior to 2000 on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Veterans can share their stories with one another thanks to this request for proof.
I urge everyone who has been harmed by the prohibition to speak up and provide testimony in this setting of safety so that the review’s recommendations can be shaped.
In January 2022, as part of the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan, Defense Secretary and former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay launched the review.
The independent study will give the government the chance to learn more about the LGBT veterans who served before 2000’s lived experiences, including how being discharged from the military due to their sexual orientation affects their lives.
In the context of the pre-2000 ban, the assessment will take into account the experiences of LGBT veterans and their families, including the manner of dismissal and the effects this had on their later lives.
The review team will be able to draw conclusions from these testimony about how the government may fulfill its obligation under the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan and guarantee that the contributions and experiences of every LGBT veteran are recognized and acknowledged.
The government also named Johnny Mercer as the Cabinet Office’s Minister for Veterans’ Affairs last week.