The British government will allocate 75 million pounds ($96 million) to compensate LGBTQ military veterans dismissed from the military because of sexual orientation, the Defense Ministry announced Thursday.
Until the 2000 reforms, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people were banned from military service in Britain. Those found out were often harassed, abused and dismissed, according to a report commissioned by the government last year.
Seeking to right “historic wrongs”, former members of the armed forces or staff dismissed because of their sexuality or gender identity will be eligible to receive £50,000 each – much more than initially expected – the Ministry of Defense said. It is a huge amount.
Defense Secretary John Healey said in a statement, “The historical treatment of LGBT veterans was a moral stain on our country. Our government is committed to righting the wrongs of the past and recognizing the hurt they have caused to many.”
In addition to losing their jobs and being subjected to public humiliation, the veterans involved were sometimes stripped of their pension benefits, and spent the rest of their lives in poverty.
Veterans Minister Alistair Carnes said, “We fully welcome our LGBT veterans into the defense sector and acknowledge the vital contribution they make to keeping the country safe.”
Officials said additional compensation of £1,000 to £20,000 would be awarded depending on the “suffering” of specific individuals, whether it was torture, brutal interrogation or imprisonment.
Victims will also be able to request reinstatement of their military ranks and medals.
The measure is due to be debated in parliament on Thursday, but veterans can already start filing their compensation requests online.
In July 2023, a report ordered by Britain’s then-Conservative Party government revealed “appalling” treatment of LGBTQ veterans who served between 1967 and 2000.
On the day it was published, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized on behalf of the government. He then accelerated the process that led to the compensation announcement on Thursday.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
