Guidance and Support – Independent Review and Reparations
The aim of this page is to provide as much information as possible (verified by FWP) in relation to the Independent Review, its outcomes and reparations progress.
LGBT Veterans: Support and Next Steps.
Includes information on support services and some of the restorative measures already accessible. This page will be updated as and when more information or additional restorative measures become available:
LGBT veterans: support and next steps (www.gov.uk)
The site currently provides information on:
Trigger Warning: Please note that the Final Report and the Analysis Report include distressing accounts of veterans’ experiences and the consequences of their treatment during service under the Ban and in the years that followed, which may be a trigger to anyone impacted by the ban or their experiences since, regardless of circumstances.
There is always somebody you can talk to for help. For urgent help please dial 999, otherwise 24-hour support or advice is available by calling the Samaritans 116 123, less urgent advice on mental health and well-being is available by calling the NHS on 111, or by making an urgent appointment to see your GP. You can reach out to FWP for support and advice through our Contact Us, or through our Community Team.
Independent Review Final Report:
The full 270-page Independent Review into the service and experience of LGBT veterans who served prior to 2000:
LGBT Veterans Independent Review – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
LGBT Veterans Independent Review Recommendations
Independent Review Analysis Report. A report that summarises the collected testimony gained as part of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review. It is a companion piece to the Review’s Final Report by Lord Etherton and does not replace or amend the findings of
that document:
LGBT Veterans Analysis Report (publishing.service.gov.uk)
LGBT Independent Review: Information for
stakeholders and veterans. Published by the Office for Veterans Affairs / Ministry of Defence, this document includes their 19th July Press Notice and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s apology on behalf of the British state, a section on Frequently Asked Questions, and the complete narrative of the statement given by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, in The House of Commons on Wednesday 19th July 2023.
LGBT Independent Review: information for stakeholders and veterans
The LGBT+ Veterans Badge is now available as Reparation Recommendation R10, in Lord Etherton’s LGBT Veterans Independent Review Final Report.
The following are some FAQs regarding the Ribbon Pin Badge design and Qualification:
What kind of ribbon is it?
It is an enamel pin badge in the shape of a bow ribbon, with single-service colours at the top, a Veterans pin badge in the centre, a rainbow flag on one tail and a latin description on the other – ‘Superbia’ and ‘Iustitia’, meaning ‘Pride’ and ‘Justice’. (Latin doesn’t use the letter J, the letter I is used in place)
Why doesn’t the design include a Progress Flag?
The Progress Flag is a registered design with copyright protection. Restrictions of use required a commercial licence for use by the MOD. The MOD wasn’t able to meet this requirement.
Why wasn’t I involved in the design?
The MOD Restorative Actions Team selected a Working Group of veterans impacted by the ban, from those who had registered interest in the Service Ribbon (R10), with representatives who were dismissed from service. MOD’s process was to meet with the group to workshop a selection of community approved badge designs, that would then need to meet the approval of the Secretary of State for Defence, before manufacturing. The designs were to come back to the wider community for final choice. Two designs were approved from three options, however, progress was delayed at the final stage by the change in Government. One of the approved badges was not able to be produced due to business-related licencing requirements, meaning the decision came down to a single possible choice. MOD therefore proceeded directly with the approved design, an enamel pin badge in the form of a ribbon, to be produced as soon as possible. The Ribbon was launched by the Secretary of State for Defence at MOD on Tuesday 11th September 2024.
Was FWP involved in the design?
FWP had surveyed community members on Reparations, including for views and ideas on the provision of a pin badge, in August/September 2023. We attended the Workshop meetings to ensure the opinions of the community responses were heard in addition to the Badge Working Group’s ideas. FWP was not included in the authorisation decision, or the Launch event. This was an MOD Reparation recommendation and therefore MOD’s resolution and action.
Why wasn’t I involved in the launch?
The MOD selected one LGBT+ veteran representative from each service, to receive the badge in the Launch ceremony. FWP was not involved in this selection.
Who is eligible for the badge?
Veterans and serving personnel impacted by the ban are eligible for the pin badge, in accordance with the qualification requirements on the MOD’s website for Reparations Application and Registration. This includes.
How do I get a Ribbon pin?
Application should be made using the Restorative Actions Applications page on the Gov.UK Reparations website. If you have previously registered for R10 Service Ribbon, you will receive one as requested in your application – by Post or in person at a future Service Ceremony or Event.
If you haven’t already registered for R10, application can be made at LGBT veterans: Apply for restorative measures – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Enquiries regarding any applications or registration for Reparations should be made by emailing the MOD’s Restorative Action Team at LGBT-RestorativeAction@mod.gov.uk
Reparation Recommendation R10-Lord Etherton’s Final Report Statement
Veteran’s badge for those who served under the Ban. I recommend (R10) that there should be designed and granted as soon as possible a special veterans’ badge for all those who served at the time of the Ban. As this is not a medal, there should be no difficulty in its authorisation.
Some of those who replied to the Call for Evidence have said that there should be a medal for those LGBT veterans who served under, and suffered from, the Ban. The difficulty with that suggestion is that any decision on a new medal is likely to be controversial and would certainly take a long time. It would also be likely to be divisive. As I have said earlier, many of the veterans who are the subject of this Review are elderly. One who replied to the Call for Evidence is 79 years of age. Many are not in good health. A major consideration, therefore, is that my recommendations are capable of speedy acceptance and implementation. Whereas this is achievable in the case of a special veterans’ badge for veterans who served at the time of the Ban, it is not achievable in the case of a new medal.
A transcript of the debate can be found here.
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