THEGAYUK

Tag: Army

All the latest breaking news on the Army. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on the Army.

  • UK government apologises for anti-gay employment policies in the Armed forces

    The UK’s government has apologised over what it called, “egregious” policies that banned gay and lesbian people from working in the armed forces.

    The government issued a formal apology for the mistreatment of LGBT veterans, following the release of an independent review investigating the military’s ban on LGBT personnel before 2000.

    The review, presented in Parliament, was initiated by the Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans Affairs and chaired by Lord Etherton. Its focus was to examine the experiences of individuals affected by the ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000.

    Unacceptable and regrettable

    Previously, the government acknowledged that the treatment of LGBT personnel and veterans before 2000 was completely unacceptable and regrettable. The report by Lord Etherton revealed that investigations into individuals’ sexuality were intrusive and invasive, resulting in severe and long-lasting impacts on the lives of veterans and their families.

    The government’s unwavering commitment to supporting veterans and the LGBT community was highlighted in the review. The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary offered a formal apology in the House of Commons today to all those who suffered under the ban.

    The review focused on three main areas: the impact of the historical policy on affected individuals and their future lives, the accessibility of veterans’ services for LGBT people, and the full recognition and acceptance of LGBT veterans as valued members of the armed forces.

    Sunak expressed deep remorse

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed deep remorse, acknowledging that the ban on LGBT individuals serving in the military until 2000 was a failure of the British state, lagging far behind the country’s laws. He recognized the immense suffering endured by many who faced sexual abuse, violence, and homophobic bullying while courageously serving their nation.

    Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was pleased that the review shed light on a shameful chapter in the Armed Forces’ history, acknowledging the denial of tolerance and values to many who served.

    Restoring medals, pension rights

    Within the review, 49 recommendations were made, including the restoration of withheld medals, clarification of pension rights, and the presentation of the Veterans Badge, among others. The government accepted these recommendations in principle and committed to collaborating with LGBT veterans to ensure the appropriate implementation of restorative measures.

    Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer viewed the apology as a historic moment to address past wrongs and honor the extraordinary service of LGBT veterans. He also emphasized the need to enhance support services for veterans impacted by the issues raised in the review.

    Minister for Defence, People, Veterans, and Service Families, Dr. Andrew Murrison, acknowledged the wrongdoing and pledged to study the review’s recommendations to determine the government’s response.

    Since 2000, the government has made significant strides in removing barriers and implementing initiatives to improve the experience of LGBT personnel. These include providing guides for parents of LGBT children, delivering LGBT allies training, and offering Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

    The establishment of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs has also expanded support for all veterans as they transition out of the Armed Forces.

    The review is a crucial part of the Government’s Veterans Strategy Action Plan, demonstrating its commitment to compassionately address historical hurt and disadvantage experienced by sections of the veteran community.

    Furthermore, the government has extended the Home Office’s disregard and pardons scheme to ensure the expungement of convictions for same-sex sexual offences.

    To support those impacted by the ban and today’s announcement, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is providing £250,000 to LGBT organizations for offering support services to affected veterans. This is in addition to the £45,000 funding provided last year to help gather evidence for the review.

    Craig Jones MBE, Executive Chair, and Caroline Paige, Chief Executive of Fighting With Pride, expressed relief that the voices of those who suffered under this abhorrent policy are finally heard and their truth acknowledged. They view the government’s apology as a significant step toward providing substantial reparations and ending this unjust and dishonourable chapter in history.

  • COMMENT | Trump’s Transgender military ban: How reducing minorities limits team success

    The recent decision of the US Supreme Court to continue the Trump administration’s ban on transgender people serving in the military is an unnecessary limitation on organisational effectiveness.

    CREDIT: © StockCube

    What is the goal of the military (at least in democracies)? Overwhelmingly our clients in the defence sector tell us it is operational effectiveness. The question then, aside from any personal prejudice for or against trans people, is, “does their inclusion in the organisation contribute to operational effectiveness?”.

    Much to the chagrin of many detractors, the evidence suggests that it does.

    Take any organisational ecosystem and analyse its productive potential. We know that a lack of diversity can lead to higher risk, lower resilience and lower productivity. Similarly, extremely high levels of diversity, if not led well, can lead to lack of trust, poor morale and team bonding.

    However, the military (in general) is extremely good at leadership. In fact, I would go as far as to say that in my 15 years working with the UK military, it has gone from one of the worst sectors on LGBT+ inclusion to one of the better ones. Look at the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index to see.

    Jerry Patterson, a retired marine, argues that Trans people should be banned because a 2015 survey by the National Coalition of Transgender Equality found that “…40 percent of trans-identified respondents had attempted suicide during their lifetime — nearly nine times the attempted suicide rate in the US population.”

    However, like all of us in general, not all trans people want to serve in the military. Good recruitment policies look at individual talent and contribution, not general prejudices.

    Contrast Jerry’s view with that of the British Royal Air Force. The RAF Museum has celebrated the contributions of three trans service personnel, Roberta Cowell, Caroline Page and Ayla Holdom, three transgender women who are either currently serving or have previously served in the Royal Air Force at different periods of time over the past 100 years.

    Indeed when Trump announced his ban, UK military leaders across the services were unanimous in their condemnation of an unnecessary and politically charged policy of discrimination that would harm the hard-won cohesiveness of the military.

    “When you are a family at sea for 6 months you have to work as a cohesive unit”

    When I first started working with the Royal Navy after the lifting of the LGBT ban in 2000, Naval captains were brutally honest with me. They knew they had always had gay personnel in their midst but they were persecuted – bad for them and the overall team morale. They made a conscious decision to include. When you are a family at sea for 6 months you have to work as a cohesive unit. Including difference makes you stronger, not weaker.

    And at the end of the day, we need to ask ourselves an even more fundamental question: why does the military exist if not to defend the values we hold dear? Inclusion is one of them.

    Stephen Frost is the founder of Frost Included, a consultancy dedicated to helping people understand diversity and inclusion. His new book Building an Inclusive Organisation, published by Kogan Page, is out February 2019. For more information go to www.frostincluded.com or find Stephen on Twitter @FrostIncluded

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  • Armed Forces to join in York Pride parade

    The Armed Forces, including representatives from the British Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force, are set to join the York Pride Parade on Saturday 9th June.

    CREDIT: © StockCube

    This is the first time that representatives from any of the Armed Forces have been a part of York Pride. The British Army will also be having a stall at the Knavesmire where York Pride’s main event will commence following the Parade.

    Greg Stephenson, Chair of York Pride, said, “We are delighted that the Armed Forces will be joining York Pride on 9th June and we are incredibly thankful for the support we have received from them so far. As a charity, we are committed to promoting LGBT+ inclusivity and fostering a supportive community spirit. We believe that having the Armed Forces marching in the parade symbolises the idea that as a society we should be supporting one another and advocating tolerance and not hate. It’s an incredible thing to see happen and is testament to just how much York Pride has grown over the last few years.”

    Captain James Steel said, “It is an honour for me to represent the Army at the York Pride Parade. As a member of the Armed Forces, being able to fly the flag for our own LGBT+ community and the Army as a whole makes me immensely proud. It’s the first time the Services have been involved in this local Pride event, and I’m looking forward to marching alongside my colleagues from the Royal Navy and RAF.”

    This year, York Pride will take place on Saturday 9th June. It will begin at approximately 11:45 am outside of the Minster, with the Parade setting off at around 12:00 pm. The main event on the Knavesmire will begin at 13:00 pm.

    York Pride is free of charge and is appropriate for all, both adults and children. To find out more about York Pride click here.

  • Petition Calling On Government To Apologise For Discharging Gay and Lesbian Force Members

    A petition calling on British Prime Minster David Cameron to apologise to LGBT Armed Forces who were discharged for being homosexual has gone live.

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  • David Cameron It’s Time To Apologise To Discharged Gay Force Members

    A petition has been launched calling on Prime Minster David Cameron to formally apologise to ex gay force members who were kicked out for being gay.

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