Responding to the government review out today led by Lord Etherton examining the experience of LGBT+ Service Personnel who served under the ban when it was illegal to serve as a homosexual, Nick Pope, Chair of Cobseo – the Confederation of Service Charities, said:
“As the Confederation of Service Charities, Cobseo is proud to work with Fighting With Pride on their campaign to win long-overdue support for LGBT+ Veterans. Ensuring that the LGBT+ Veteran community has had an opportunity to make their long-forgotten voices heard through the Independent Review by Lord Etherton is something of which they should be very proud.
“It is now vital that the government sets out their plans to address and compensate for the historic hurt suffered by hundreds of LGBT+ Veterans who served their country, and ensure that all those impacted feel that their often horrendous experiences are finally acknowledged. Clarification from the government on their planned way forward is needed as a matter of urgency to ensure that those affected can now live their lives free from the shame of dismissal that they have felt for decades.
“We in the military charity sector stand by to support all those who require any kind of additional support following the publication of this report, and Cobseo is ready to provide support to all Members in need of any assistance.”
