Latest news with #FightingWithPride
BBC News
07-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Portsmouth navy veterans' lives 'blighted' by gay ban
"You were living a double life, always looking over your shoulder."As Portsmouth finds itself at the heart of UK Pride this weekend, an iconic war vessel in the Hampshire city has been covered in rainbow colours to also mark 25 years since a ban on LGBT people serving in the military was Historic Quarter and military charity Fighting with Pride came together last month to celebrate LGBTQ+ veterans, by wrapping Landing Craft F8 in rainbow navy veterans have been speaking to the BBC about their experiences serving in the military under the ban. Until January 2000, the "gay ban" saw many LGBT people who served their country face dishonourable discharge, loss of medals and criminal charges because of their sexuality. Roly Woods is a former Sub Lt in the Royal Navy who served on HMS Leeds Castle during the Falklands said he hid his sexuality so that he could continue his military career."At one stage during my naval career, I was challenged by my commanding officer, who heard rumours that I had been seen by officers with a man," he said."I was called up to his office, sat down, and plainly asked – 'are you gay?'."Right there and then I had to decide, 'do I throw everything away, or do I lie?'.Choosing "in that split second" to lie, he said he "got away with it"."But it was an extremely difficult situation to deal with, both professionally and personally, and I wrestled with it for many years," he said. He said when he joined the navy "all the services in the UK Armed Forces were institutionally homophobic"."You were living a double life, always looking over your shoulder," he said. "I couldn't be out and open with my closest colleagues and friends."Not because I thought they would out me but I didn't want to put them in the position of having to choose - once they knew, they were culpable as well for not declaring it."He said "bottling it all up for decades" is not something that can be switched off overnight."There are other veterans who are completely broken, whose lives were blighted by this ban - they were dismissed, lost their family, lost their income, many lost their homes, some took their own lives," he said. 'Degree of guilt' When the gay ban was in place, the Royal Navy Special Investigation Branch (SIB) was responsible for investigating criminal offences within the navy, which included being Master at Arms in the Royal Navy Gavin Moulds served in the SIB from 1994 to said: "The ban, the way it was enforced, and to the level it was enforced, was never something I agreed with. "However, I cannot help but still feel a degree of guilt for my involvement – an apology would not be enough." But Mr Moulds said there was a "mental detachment and a professional requirement" in working for the SIB."In my experience, we behaved professionally towards any person that we dealt with," he Moulds said of the ban: "It was wrong. It's wrong today, it was wrong then and it should never have happened."The way some of those people were treated was horrendous." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
29-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
LGBT veterans ‘furious' at slow pace of compensation
Former members of the military dismissed or discharged for being gay said they have been left 'angry and disappointed' at low numbers of compensation payouts. A campaign group said only 24 payments have been made out of more than 1,000 applications since a scheme opened five months ago. In December, the Government announced up to £75 million for the LGBT financial recognition scheme, with payments of up to £70,000 for each veteran 'to acknowledge the historic wrongs they experienced in the armed forces'. The Fighting with Pride military charity said eight of the 24 payouts were to veterans with life-limiting health conditions. The charity's chief executive Peter Gibson said older veterans have been left 'furious' and feeling that 'justice delayed is justice denied'. He has written to Defence Secretary John Healey to convey the 'growing anger, frustration and impatience' of veterans, and to say the scheme 'is sadly not delivering at a pace which meets the expectations of the ageing veterans we are working with'. Mr Gibson said a staff of 15 people to deal with the scheme 'together with underperforming technology is clearly and simply not enough to meet the demand'. The scheme's launch should have 'marked a moment of healing and recognition for LGBT+ veterans', he said, adding it is instead 'beginning to inflict new wounds' as they relive their trauma when applying for compensation. Emma Storey, who was under investigation by military police and left the Women's Royal Army Corps in 1987, shared her anger over the delays. She said: 'We feel angry and disappointed. We were treated abysmally during our service. Forced out for our sexuality and loving the people we love, only to be let down by a casual approach to the payments we're owed. 'I'm 64 years old and deserve to enjoy some dignity in the later years of my life. 'After reopening the wounds by applying for the financial recognition scheme, the least I'd expect is to be showed the decency and respect of a prompt resolution.' Mr Gibson said it is 'high time the Government now pulls out all the stops for these veterans who bravely served their country, yet were appallingly treated for simply being gay'. He said time is of the essence for an older population. 'Many affected veterans are in their 60s, 70s and 80s – they are furious justice is being delayed,' said Mr Gibson. 'For many it means justice delayed is justice denied. Fighting With Pride will continue to do everything we can to find every single affected LGBT veteran and ensure they get the reparations they deserve.' A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'We recognise the need to work quickly through the over 1,000 applications for financial recognition we've received. 'The process of working through the applications requires checking a number of information sources and historical records, however we understand the need for timeliness in delivering this important scheme. 'We are working closely with stakeholder groups and applicants can receive updates on their progress from the team via Data published earlier this month showed 40 people have had historic convictions for same-sex activity wiped from their records. The disregards and pardons scheme was launched in 2012 but applied only to men and only for specific convictions. It was extended in 2023 to include women and to cover any repealed or abolished offence that was once used to criminalise same-sex sexual activity. New data published by the Government this month showed that between June 2023 and March this year 40 people had their convictions 'disregarded', meaning they had been deleted from official records. The majority of these (35) were for military offences while three came under the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Pride row as Falklands War landing craft is wrapped in rainbow colours to mark 25th anniversary of the ban on homosexuality within the Armed Forces being lifted
The decision to wrap a Falklands War landing craft in rainbow colours has sparked anger among veterans who say those who died during the conflict will be 'turning in their graves'. Foxtrot 8 has been given the Pride vinyl wrap to mark the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on gay people serving in the Armed Forces. But war veterans say that battle 'has been fought and won' and have branded it as 'inappropriate' and 'quite divisive'. F8 has become the first war vessel in British history to be decorated in Pride colours in a move designed at 'celebrating progress' and recognise those who were purged from the military because of their sexuality. Until January 2000, LGBTQ + people were banned from serving and faced dishonourable discharge, loss of medals, surveillance and interrogation which caused veterans to become criminalised because of their sexuality. Retired Colour sergeant Dean Ferguson, who served in the Falklands, told The Telegraph: 'Our Falklands dead will be turning in their graves.' While Rear Adml Chris Parry, who also served in the Falklands and was mentioned in despatches for his actions, labelled it 'quite divisive'. 'This is something that has been fought and won. The drum doesn't need banging any more,' he said. Members of the public will be able view and take trips onboard F8, which is based at Portsmouth Historic Quarter. The project to put the colourful vinyl wrap on the F8 has been organised with the charity Fighting with Pride ahead of Portsmouth hosting UK Pride on June 7. Veteran Roly Woods, a former sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy who served on HMS Leeds Castle during the Falklands War, said that he had chosen to lie when challenged by his commanding officer about his relationship with another man. He said: 'My captain accepted it and I got away with it but it was an extremely difficult situation to deal with both professionally and personally and I wrestled with it for many years.' Former master at arms in the Royal Navy and volunteer at Portsmouth Historic Quarter, Gavin Moulds, served in the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) from 1994 to 2003 and was involved in investigating criminal offences within the navy, including the ban on homosexuality. He said: 'The ban, the way it was enforced, and to the level it was enforced, was never something I agreed with. However, I cannot help but still feel a degree of guilt for my involvement - an apology would not be enough.' In December 2024, the Ministry of Defence announced the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, which enables anyone impacted by the ban whilst serving in the armed forces between 1967 and 2000 to apply for recognition payments up to £50,000. Mr Woods, who is the memorial officer for Fighting with Pride, said: 'We estimate that hundreds of LGBTQ+ veterans are yet to come forward for compensation or to have their medals returned. 'It's our mission to support all LGBTQ+ veterans in receiving the reparations they deserve, and we urge all those who are yet to come forward, to do so. 'Given the historic sacrifices made by the LGBTQ+ armed forces community in service of their country, it's important we mark this anniversary in a special way. 'The unveiling of Landing Craft F8 in her Pride colours is a celebration of real progress for the LGBTQ+ community in the armed forces, and it is an extremely proud moment for both LGBTQ+ veterans and for those serving today.' Hannah Prowse, chief executive officer of Portsmouth Historic Quarter, said: 'To those under the age of 40, it seems astonishing that men and women who served with courage and were willing to risk their lives for their country, were punished for their sexual orientation. They deserve our gratitude and respect. 'In wrapping Landing Craft F8 in this manner, we're celebrating the inclusivity now present in our armed forces, celebrating the men and women who serve and have served our country with honour, and celebrating the bravery of those who fought to overturn the ban.' Landing Craft F8, which is no longer a serving Royal Naval vessel and which is now owned by Portsmouth Historic Quarter, will be on display in Pride colours on the pontoons at Boathouse 4 and available for charter or walk-up rides from May 15 until the end of September.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Royal Navy vessel wrapped in Pride colours for gay personnel
A Royal Navy landing craft has been wrapped in Pride colours to mark 25 years since the ban on gay people serving in the UK armed forces was of the public will be able view and take trips onboard Landing Craft Foxtrot 8 (F8) which is based at Portsmouth Historic vessel, which was used in the Falklands War, has become the first in British history to be wrapped in the rainbow colours The project to put the colourful vinyl wrap on the F8 has been organised with the charity Fighting with Pride ahead of Portsmouth hosting UK Pride on June 7. Until January 2000, LGBTQ+ people were banned from serving and faced dishonourable discharge, loss of medals, surveillance and Roly Woods, a former sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy who served on HMS Leeds Castle during the Falklands War, said that he had chosen to lie when challenged by his commanding officer about his relationship with another said: "My captain accepted it and I got away with it but it was an extremely difficult situation to deal with both professionally and personally and I wrestled with it for many years." 'Degree of guilt' Former master at arms in the Royal Navy and volunteer at Portsmouth Historic Quarter, Gavin Moulds, served in the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) from 1994 to 2003 and was involved in investigating criminal offences within the navy, including the ban on said: "The ban, the way it was enforced, and to the level it was enforced, was never something I agreed with. "However, I cannot help but still feel a degree of guilt for my involvement - an apology would not be enough."In December 2024, the Ministry of Defence announced the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, which enables anyone impacted by the ban while serving in the armed forces between 1967 and 2000 to apply for recognition payments up to £50, Woods, who is the memorial officer for Fighting with Pride, estimates that hundreds of LGBTQ+ veterans are yet to come forward for compensation or to have their medals said: "The unveiling of Landing Craft F8 in her Pride colours is a celebration of real progress for the LGBTQ+ community in the armed forces, and it is an extremely proud moment for both LGBTQ+ veterans and for those serving today."Landing Craft F8 will be on display in Pride colours on the pontoons at Boathouse 4 and available for charter or walk-up rides from May 15 until the end of September. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
LGBT ban victims take part in official VE Day celebrations for the first time
They'll take part in a service at Westminster Abbey, and in a concert in the evening on nearby Horse Guards Parade Veterans affected by the ban on LGBT people in the military will take part in official VE Day Commemorations today for the first time. They'll take part in a service at Westminster Abbey, and in a concert in the evening on nearby Horse Guards Parade. They include Vito Ward, who was discharged in 1970 from the Women's Royal Naval Service for being gay. She said: "This is a very special occasion for me as a newly reinstated veteran. If anyone had said to me I'd be included in official VE Day events - even ten years ago- I'd never have believed them." It comes the day after Lord Etherton, the first openly gay High Court judge, who led the government's damning review into the ban, died aged 73. As many as 20,000 armed forces personnel were jailed, dismissed for their sexuality or outed against their will before the rule on service was lifted in 2000. Then-PM Rishi Sunak finally said sorry last July, in a victory for campaigners and the charity Fighting With Pride - with victims promised compensation. Veterans affected by the ban are being urged to come forward to claim payouts of up to £70,000. Ms Ward, now in her eighties, added: "I was devastated after being so unfairly kicked out of the career and military family I suited so well. "So being part of today, recognised for what I did and could have continued to give to my country, is massive. "I hope it will help others who suffered under the gay ban to come forward so they get the justice and money they're owed under the government's redress scheme."
