Every year, 200 to 250 LGBT soldiers were dismissed from the British army and lost their medals, until a change in legislation in the 2000s. The Department of Defense announced on Tuesday that these fighters would be able to recover them.
One way for Boris Johnson to "repair this very great injustice".
Former servicemen who were fired from the British military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity will now be able to recover their lost medals, the Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday.
Tackle "a historic wrong"
Until a change in the law came about in 2000, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people were not allowed to serve in the British military.
Some were fired (200 to 250 per year according to
the Guardian
) and lost their medals upon their demobilization.
On its website, the Ministry of Defense affirmed "to undertake to remedy this historic wrong" by putting in place "a policy allowing these people to demand the return of their medals".
The soldiers concerned - or their close relatives in the event of death in the meantime - can now request that their case be examined by the Defense Council and will be decorated with a new medal if their file is approved.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed this change which will "tackle a historic wrong" and redress this "very great injustice".
Those who serve in our Armed Forces deserve every recognition for their service.
It was a very great injustice that this was denied to some members simply because of their sexuality.
I hugely welcome the fact we can now address this historic wrong.
https://t.co/JRfC1TeJhQ
- Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 16, 2021
Further investigation
The announcement was also greeted by the association of veterans "Fighting with Pride", which welcomes this "return of LGBT + veterans to the military family", "where they will be recognized for their services".
However, the association is calling for a more in-depth investigation into "the long-term consequences" of their dismissal on "the health, housing and employment" of LGBT + soldiers, "many of whom still live in poverty today".
The change comes after the court battle of former Falklands War veteran Joe Ousalice, who last year managed to secure the return of his confiscated medal when he was forced out of the Royal Navy due to his sexual orientation.
The septuagenarian from Southampton, a former radio operator who also served in the Middle East and Northern Ireland during his 18-year career, was deprived of his medal for long service and good conduct after being sentenced by a court martial in 1993 for his bisexuality.