First openly transgender officer welcomes £75 million financial redress scheme for veterans

A 'gay ban' was enacted until 2000 which caused lifelong consequences for military personnel who were identified as LGBT+

Author: Nina Lloyd PA, Charlotte Linnecar Published 12th Dec 2024

A Lincolnshire woman, who was the first openly transgender officer to serve in the armed forces says she's grateful that mistreated veterans will be eligible for up to £70,000 in a new financial redress scheme.

Caroline Paige, from Lincoln, is the Chief Executive of the military charity Fighting with Pride.

They support LGBT+ Veterans, serving personnel and their families, particularly those who were affected by the ‘gay ban’, ultimately lifted on 12th January 2000.

"We've been working with the Ministry of Defence and their restorative action team have been working very hard. These were young people who were serving their country and they didn't deserve these terrible and shameful consequences of being outed purely because of who they loved or who they were.

"LGBT veterans or people who were outed because of their sexuality or gender identity were treated in the most shameful ways, they were walked to the front gates and thrown of the base, people were given criminal records, and that resulted in some of the veterans we support as a charity, being sent to prison.

"We would like to see a fair payment and assessment process for veterans, so that when they apply, the people who are going to make judgement on the payments will take into consideration the level of hurt that the individuals has suffered as a consequence of their dismissal."

Defence Secretary John Healey described the historic wrongs faced by LGBT+ service personnel as a "moral stain on our nation", ahead of applications for the financial redress programme opening on Friday.

The total amount available will be £75 million, exceeding the cap of £50 million recommended in an independent review by Lord Etherton on the impact of the ban.

Under the policy, which lasted until the year 2000, members of the armed who were - or were thought to be - gay or transgender were subjected to brutal interrogation and dismissal.

Some have suffered lifelong consequences, being left without access to their military pensions, shunned by family and friends and facing diminished career prospects.

The previous Tory government accepted in full the recommendations of Lord Etherton's report into the policy in December 2023, which included a proposal for a financial awards scheme capped at £50 million.

But campaigners and charities including the Royal British Legion said the figure was "inadequate and unacceptably low" and demanded a better payout.

The Ministry of Defence said it had increased the amount after "extensive engagement with LGBT veterans".

Veterans who were dismissed or discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identity are to receive £50,000.

Personnel who were "negatively affected" by the ban during their time in the service between 1967 and 2000 will be given up to another £20,000, the ministry said.

The payments will be exempt from income tax and means-tested benefits.

Veterans who lost their rank as a result can apply to have their rank restored and discharge reason amended if they wish, ministers have said.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: "The historic treatment of LGBT veterans was a moral stain on our nation. Our Government is determined to right the wrongs of the past and recognise the hurt that too many endured.

"We have listened to veterans and will continue to deliver against the recommendations set out in the Etherton review. We will continue to support our veterans as we work to renew the nation's contract with those who serve, and have served.

"This work was rightly started by the previous government, and will be taken forward and delivered by this Government."

Veterans minister Alistair Carns said: "This response to Lord Etherton's review indicates the urgent action we're taking to help redress the regrettable chapter in the history of the armed forces.

"The treatment of LGBT people is a shameful chapter in the history of our armed forces and we are working hard to address the wrongs of the past.

"We fully welcome our LGBT veterans back into defence and acknowledge their vital contribution to keeping the nation safe."

The Financial Recognition Scheme and other restorative measures will be debated in the House of Commons on Thursday, with a portal for applications opening on Friday.

Several veterans affected by the LGBT+ ban have been invited by the Government to watch in Parliament.

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