LGBT veterans missing from compensation scheme urged to come forward before deadline

LGBT veterans across the UK are being urged to claim compensation for past discrimination in the armed forces, as new data suggests up to 1,000 eligible former service personnel are still missing from the government’s redress scheme ahead of a December deadline.

Campaigners at Fighting With Pride, the UK’s LGBTQ+-specific armed forces charity, say unexpectedly low numbers of claims have been made in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the South West and Scotland, despite those areas having significant veteran populations. Since launching its “Battle for Lost Veterans” campaign in June, the charity has heard from 65 additional veterans, but only 19 of them are based in regions where large numbers of ex-service members are believed to live.

Of those 19, eight are from the South West, six from Scotland, four from the North East and one from Yorkshire and the Humber. By comparison, the North West and South East of England have each seen 11 veterans come forward since the campaign began.

The government scheme is designed to compensate those affected by the pre-2000 “gay ban” in the armed forces, which was in force from 1967 to 2000, Morningstar reports. During that period, LGBT personnel in the army, navy and air force were subjected to invasive investigations, bullying and dismissal because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many lost their careers, pensions and housing, and still live with the psychological and financial impact today. The redress programme offers a core discharge payment of £50,000, with additional impact payments of up to £20,000, and applications must be submitted by 12 December.

Peter Gibson, chief executive of Fighting With Pride, said the organisation is working to reach every veteran who may be eligible.

“We are determined to find every last veteran who is owed justice. Nobody should be left behind,” he said. “As the only LGBTQ+-specific armed forces charity, we will support anyone impacted by the ban to apply for what is rightfully yours, before time runs out. If you know anyone who served and suffered under this historic policy, please help us reach them. We can be contacted via the Fighting With Pride website as we work to restore pride and dignity in service.”

The charity is especially concerned about underrepresentation among women. A judge-led inquiry into the gay ban found that 61% of women who took part reported mistreatment, yet women currently make up less than half of the claims submitted to the compensation scheme. Royal Navy veteran Dawn Loynes, who was unlawfully dismissed in 1994, has called on more women to come forward.

“The mistreatment I experienced as a young female sailor had a profound and lasting impact on my life,” she said. “While nothing can erase what happened, reconnecting with my military family, receiving my beret and having my experiences recognised have all been important steps in my healing. Your experiences matter, your service matters, and what happened to you deserves to be recognised.”

Why this matters for the workplace

For the workplace, this story highlights how institutional discrimination can shape careers and earnings many years later. LGBT veterans who were forced out of service often entered civilian employment with disrupted work histories, lost income and unresolved trauma, which still influence progression, wellbeing and leadership opportunities. Employers that take inclusion seriously can respond with fair hiring practices that take account of historic injustice, stronger equality policies and dedicated support for LGBT staff with military backgrounds.

Business leaders and professionals who want to build more inclusive workplaces and connect with LGBT talent and allies can benefit from dedicated networks; signing up for myGwork offers a practical way to engage with a global community focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion at work and to help ensure experiences like those of these veterans are acknowledged and addressed in today’s business environment.

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