A soldier who was dismissed for being gay is welcomed back at an event in Rutland this week
Private Martin Diver, from the Royal Anglian Regiment, says 'it meant a lot'
A soldier who was dismissed for being gay says it 'meant a lot' to him to be welcomed back to Kendrew Barracks in Rutland this week.
Private Martin Diver, from the Royal Anglian Regiment, was kicked out of the military before the ban on gay people serving was lifted in 2000.
He was sent to military detention and a psychiatric hospital after coming out.
He said:
I was told I was a disgrace to myself, I was a disgrace to my regiment, and I was a disgrace to the British army
"I was sentenced to three months of military detention and discharged in disgrace with no transition, no pension; everything was taken away from me."
"I was told I was a disgrace to myself, I was a disgrace to my regiment, and I was a disgrace to the British army."
"I spent probably two or three years not knowing what to do, not knowing who I was."
"My self-esteem, my dignity, my career, my life had just ended without support."
"I became extremely unwell mentally and very depressed."
"Even though it ended bitterly and that time was awful, I'm so glad I did it because it tested me morally, physically, and mentally, and I pushed myself to limits I wouldn't have been able to achieve."
It means more than money and remuneration
Diver now works as a mental health nurse and supports veterans.
After being welcomed back he said:
"Because I was involved in the veteran community, I was always invited to things, but it was always tinged with a slight bit of embarrassment."
"But they really exceeded themselves in making me feel comfortable, welcome and relaxed."
"That for me is more than money; it's more than the remuneration."
My self-esteem, my dignity, my career, my life had just ended without support
In December 2024 it was announced that LGBT veterans will receive up to £70,000 each to acknowledge the historic wrongs they experienced in the Armed Forces.
It was also announced that LGBT veterans, dismissed or discharged due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, could apply to have their rank restored and discharge reason amended.
This came after the government commissioned an independent review in 2022 of the impact that the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the armed forces has had on LGBT veterans.
Lord Etherton, who led the review, made 49 recommendations in his report covering the areas of “restitution, recognition and just satisfaction”.
After the review was made public in July 2023, then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised on behalf of the country to LGBT veterans who were affected by the policy.
The government then began implementing the recommendations made by Lord Etherton.
Rayo Premium