An urgent call from Fighting With Pride goes out today to LGBTQ+ ex-service people who were impacted by a ‘gay ban’ in the army, navy and air force. The ban between 1967 and 2000 saw men and women in all three services forced out after interrogation and bullying or in other cases forced to live a secret life. At least 1000 impacted ‘lost’ veterans are yet to come forward to claim their reparations and need to apply before December this year.
The Battle for Lost Veterans is a new campaign to reach those missing ex-service personnel who suffered under the ban and are owed justice. According to latest government data, 1,519 individuals have applied for financial reparations for the hurt and loss experienced under the historic policy. The financial recognition scheme closes on 12th December 2026- time is running out.
The Battle for Lost Veterans follows an event this weekend (20th June 2026)organised in association with the Royal British Legion at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. 260 members of the Armed Forces Community gathered to commemorate and reflect around a specially crafted sculpture for serving and ex-personnel from the LGBTQ+ community. It follows the King’s dedication of the memorial in October last year which made global headlines.
Meanwhile, a legal challenge continues to overturn rejected claims from over fifty junior ranks who were forced to resign but denied payment for discharge and dismissal.
Peter Gibson, Fighting With Pride CEO:
“We know there are more veterans owed justice. Today is a clarion call to them – come forward. We know many felt so shunned and hurt by their brutal treatment that they have distanced themselves from both the military and LGBTQ+ communities. We understand.”
“As the only LGBTQ+ specific armed forces charity, we will help anyone impacted by the gay ban to apply for what is rightfully yours. We’re determined to restore pride and dignity in service. As time marches on it’s more important than ever that every LGBTQ+ Veteran comes forward. Every one of them is a Veteran and deserves the right to describe themselves as such.”
“Fighting With Pride will not rest until every single LGBTQ+ Veteran is back on the journey home into the Armed forces family. Rest assured, over the next six months we’re putting our hearts and souls into the Battle for Lost Veterans. We also appeal to anyone in your network – Who do you know who served and suffered under the ‘gay ban’? We must marshal the whole veteran community to help us find everyone. We can be contacted via our Fighting With Pride website.”
Jacks Connor-Fox served in the Royal Navy Reserve for eight years during the
1990’s:
“Being part of the reparations process has given me a sense of peace. It has meant a great deal to be welcomed back into the Royal Navy community.“It took me more than 25 years to feel able to describe myself as a veteran after having no option but to leave.”
“I cannot stress enough, the value personally for anyone affected by the ban to come forward and apply for what you are owed. We are all worthy of recognition and should not feel otherwise.”
“If anyone knows someone who was impacted by this awful ban, I encourage them to apply. I want to stress my heartfelt belief that no one should be left behind.”
Hannah Pearce, the Royal British Legion’s Director of Campaigns, Policy and Research, said:
“The ‘gay ban’ was cruel, unjust, and led to the discrimination and abuse of thousands of LGBTQ+ people in the Armed Forces community who had dedicated their lives to serving their country and were forced to leave the military.”
“The Royal British Legion condemned this mistreatment believing their service and sacrifice should be rightfully recognised and honoured. We were pleased the Government accepted Lord Etherton’s Review recommendations including a formal apology from the Prime Minister, restoration of medals, uniforms and berets, and the creation of a memorial at the RBL’s National Memorial Arboretum honouring LGBT Serving and ex-Serving personnel.”
“The Financial Recognition Scheme is one of Lord Etherton’s key recommendations addressing this injustice and we urge anyone who served under the ban to contact the Royal British Legion or Fighting with Pride, we can help them to apply to the scheme before it closes in December.”
Simon Blake, Stonewall CEO:
“The ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the British Military who simply wanted to serve their country had their military careers ruined and experienced long lasting and profound harm throughout their lives.”
“We are supporting Fighting with Pride’s Battle for Lost Veterans campaign to help veterans secure the justice they deserve. There are just six months left for veterans to access financial reparation.”
“We can all help those affected access justice: speak to your networks, have conversations with your friends and family, and ask them to raise awareness and support people to access the scheme.”
“We can all help ensure that veterans affected by the ban receive the recognition they have waited far too long for.”
Several directly impacted veterans and a high-profile 96- year-old ally took part in the event in Staffordshire, where the Battle for Lost Veterans was launched, including:
