First openly transgender officer to serve in Armed Forces welcomes LGBT+ medal plans
"You have to be on your guard all the time and you have to tell lies"
Last updated 17th Feb 2021
A Lincoln woman, who was the first openly transgender officer to serve in the armed forces, has welcomed plans for the Ministry of Defence to allow veterans to reclaim medals taken away because of their sexuality.
Yesterday, the government announced the scheme to address a 'historical wrong'.
It's follows a legal campaign which forced the Ministry of Defence to review its policies.
LGBT+ people weren't allowed to serve in the armed forces until 2000, with hundreds thrown out each year.
Caroline Paige runs 'Fighting With Pride,' and trained at RAF Cranwell.
She came out in 1999, a year before the ban was lifted.
She said, "You worry that you’re going to get drunk at a social event and then confide in somebody and that person is the wrong person.
"Or that you invite people around to your house and there’s a clue in your house that gives your identity away.
You worry that you’re going to get involved in a relationship with somebody and that relationship breaks down and they phone in and out you.
"Or you worry that you confide quietly in a friend and say “Look, this is who I am,” and that friend outs you.
"There are so many different ways that that could happen, and you have to be aware of it all the time.
"That’s the thing, you have to be very much on your guard all the time.
"You have to tell lies."