LGBT+ Veterans and the Armed Forces Ban
Until the year 2000, it was against the law to be openly LGBT+ and serve in the British Armed Forces. You could fight for your country and lay down your life, but not love someone of the same sex or be transgender. The ban on LGBT+ people serving in the military not only denied people the right to serve with dignity — it ruined lives. Veterans were criminalised, dismissed without honours, stripped of medals and lost their careers, homes, pensions, dignity and reputations. Some were imprisoned. Almost all experienced invasive and degrading investigations.
The ban operated throughout most of the 20th century. It was rooted in outdated criminal laws and bigoted attitudes, that regarded same sex attraction and relationships as ‘conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline’ under military law and cast LGBT+ personnel as an ‘inherent security risk’. The decisive moment came in 1999, when four former service members took their case to the European Court of Human Rights. The court ruled unequivocally: the ban violated their right to a private life and was entirely without justification based on a ‘predisposed bias’ against LGBT+ people.
The Ministry of Defence formally lifted the ban on 12 January 2000. This was a major milestone in the struggle for LGBT+ equality, led by and for LGBT+ veterans, but for thousands of them, it came too late. Thanks to the determination of LGBT+ veterans and their allies, their campaign for the government to take action to address the historic damage caused by the ban was ultimately successful.
Restoration of Dignity
In December 2024, the Government launched the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, whereby LGBT+ veterans who were dismissed or discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identity can claim financial compensation of up to £70,000 for harm caused. These payments are exempt from income tax and means-tested benefits.
Beyond financial compensation, several restorative measures have been introduced for LGBT+ veterans who may or may not have been dismissed or discharged but whose career was impacted by the need to hide their real self from the homo, bi and transphobic environment they were serving in.
LGBT+ veterans can also apply to have their discharge status amended to reflect the unjust nature of their dismissal, for the restoration of ranks for those demoted due to the ban, and for the reissuance of service medals and certificates.
Fighting with Pride
We understand that the process of applying for the Non-Financial Restorative Measures or the Financial Recognition Scheme is complicated and can feel daunting and triggering for those affected. For help and assistance with your application, register now by visiting the Fighting With Pride website or by phone on 0203 981 3810.
Fighting with Pride are a registered ‘lived experience’ LGBT+ charity created to support those affected by the ban. Today FWP also supports current serving personnel, their families and those leaving the services today to be proud members of the LGBT+ Armed Forces Community.
They can support and advise you in the best way to proceed to ensure your application is submitted in time and is prepared in a way that gives you the best chance of success.
Applications for redress from both schemes close at 23.59 on 12 December 2026, so if you have been affected by the historic ban, or you know of someone that has, then don’t delay — make an application now.
This article was written with help from Fighting With Pride and Help for Heroes.