Veterans: LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme
On 12th December 2024, the Government launched the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, providing recognition and compensation to LGBT veterans who served in the Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000 and were affected by the ban. A significant step in acknowledging the historic injustices faced by LGBT personnel and any ongoing difficulties the ban has caused them.
Bolt Burdon Kemp stands with all personnel affected by the ban and welcomes the Financial Recognition Scheme.
What is the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme?
The new scheme offers recognition payments to those who were dismissed or discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Affected veterans can now apply for a payment of between £50,000 and £70,000 as recognition for the harm they endured.
The launch of this scheme follows an independent review commissioned by the Government in 2022, which sought to better understand the effects of the ban that was in place from 1967 to 2000. The Etherton Review, published in July 2023, evaluated the treatment of LGBT veterans and called for further steps to be taken to address past wrongs. This review identified the deep harm caused by the policy, which led to many LGBT personnel being subjected to abuse, criminal convictions, and forced separations from their military careers due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Veterans who are eligible for the scheme will also have access to support from the Ministry of Defence and various charities that specialise in assisting LGBT veterans with the application process. The Government has set aside £90,000 for key charities to help the application process.
Restorative Measures for Pre-1967 Veterans
For veterans who served before 1967, when the law criminalising same-sex sexual activity was still in effect, the scheme also offers restorative measures to help correct the wrongs done to them. These measures include:
- Restoration of rank
- Replacement of discharge papers
- Publications of former officers’ service details in The Gazette
These steps are part of the effort to recognise and restore the dignity of veterans whose careers were impacted by the discriminatory laws.
How to Apply
Eligible veterans and their families can begin applying for the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme from Friday 13 December 2024 with the scheme closing to new applications in 2026. The application process includes options for those affected before 1967, as well as for next of kin or individuals with sufficient interest in a deceased veteran’s case. Further information and applications can be made through the following routes:
- LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme guide: How to apply for a Financial Recognition Payment – GOV.UK: Guidance on how to apply for a LGBT Financial Recognition Payment.
- Pre-1967 LGBT veterans: apply for restorative measures: Guidance for non-financial restorative measures for veterans who served before 1967 and were impacted by the historic law prohibiting same-sex sexual activity.
- Form for anyone directly impacted by the Ban: For veterans and serving personnel who served between 1967 and 2000.
- Form for a Person of Sufficient Interest: For a Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran who served between 1967 and 2000.
- FWP Overview – LGBT Financial Recognition (FR) Scheme: Guidance provided by Fighting with Pride, including guidance on how to apply for the scheme, the rules of the scheme and FAQs.
Responses to the scheme
The launch of the scheme has been met with a mixture of relief and cautious optimism. Cat Dixon, Chair of Stonewall, welcomed the announcement, stating, “LGBTQ+ veterans whose military careers were ruined because of their sexual identity are finally receiving the justice they deserve for the appalling abuse and discrimination they faced while serving their country.”
Many veterans, like those from the organisation Fighting with Pride, acknowledge that the financial recognition is a step toward justice but also think that more needs to be done. Craig Jones, director of Fighting with Pride, said, “The money that’s being made available will give some degree of comfort to those most affected, but we will have to look again in the future because this is a shorter-term fix and these veterans in five or ten years’ time will still not have pensions to rely on.”
The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme represents an important chapter in the difficult journey toward justice for LGBT veterans who suffered due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. Although there are still concerns about the sufficiency of the scheme, it is a vital step toward providing some measure of acknowledgment to those who were harmed.
As the Government continues to listen to veterans’ voices and respond to their needs, we can hope that further measures will be put in place to ensure that LGBT veterans can live with dignity and the recognition they rightfully deserve for their service to the country.
Additional Support for LGBT+ Veterans
Alongside the Financial Recognition Scheme, there are various support services available to LGBT veterans to ensure they receive the help they need in applying for these payments:
- Fighting With Pride: The LGBT+ Military Charity: supports the health and wellbeing of LGBT+Veterans, service personnel and their families.
- Royal British Legion | Armed Forces Charity: providing expert advice and guidance, to recovery and rehabilitation, through to transitioning to civilian life
- Royal British Legion | Armed Forces CharityOperation Sterling: Supporting older LGBT+ veterans | Age UK: Age UK is delivering the Operation Sterling programme to help older LGBT+ veterans, service personnel and their families
- NHS mental health support: Through services like OpCourage | Combat Stress.
