Evidence was requested from the following groups:
- LGBT veterans (including percieved-to-be-LGBT veterans)
- Non-LGBT veterans
- Friends, family and representatives of LGBT veterans
- Organisations who work in the area
- Academics and others who work in the area
Each group had a questionnaire, however they could also provide testimony in another format, for example audio recording, or simply written in full without the questionnaire structure. Below is a copy of each questionnaire.
1. LGBT Veteran Questionnaire
Experience in the service
Thinking back on your time in the armed services please tell us something about your overall experience…
1. Were you treated unfavourably due to your sexuality or perceived sexuality?
| Yes | go to 1b |
| No | go to 2 |
1b. If you answered yes, can you describe your experience of being treated unfavourably in service?
2. Were you investigated, cautioned or warned due to your sexuality or perceived sexuality?
| Yes | go to 2b |
| No | go to 3 |
2b. If you answered yes, can you describe what happened?
3. Did the ban affect you in any other way?
| Yes | go to 3b |
| No | go to 4 |
3b. If you answered yes, can you describe how it affected you?
4. Were you subject to a medical examination or treatment?
| Yes | go to 4b |
| No | go to 5 |
4b. If you answered yes, can you describe what happened?
Dismissal or discharge
If you were dismissed or discharged due to the ban, we would like to hear about your experience.
5. Were you dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000 due to your sexuality or perceived sexuality?
| Yes | go to 5b |
| No | go to 15 |
5b. If you answered yes, can you describe your experience of dismissal or discharge from the service?
6. Can you describe how the accusation or charge was made?
7. Can you describe the immediate impact being accused or charged made on you?
8. Can you describe what happened?
9. Can you describe the outcome following the proceedings against you?
10. How did this impact your life post dismissal from service – Health and wellbeing (including physical and mental health), relationships (including service, family, friends, & partners), employability and career, housing, or financial position?
11. What was your rank/seniority prior to any investigations and did that change when you were dismissed?
12. If you were dismissed, did you have your medals or conduct badges removed?
| Yes | go to 12b |
| No | go to 13 |
12b. Can you say what medals or badges were removed?
Compensation
13. Did you ever apply for any remedy or compensation for your dismissal?
| Yes | go to 13b |
| No | go to 14 |
13b. If you did apply, can you describe how and when you applied, and what was the outcome? If you did not apply, why not?
14. Did you ever receive any remedy or compensation for your dismissal?
| Yes | go to 14b |
| No | go to 15 |
14b. If you received any remedy or compensation, how was it received?
15. Have you ever applied for medals or awards to be returned?
| Yes | go to 15b |
| No | go to 16 |
15b. If you applied for medals and awards to be returned, can you describe how and when you applied, and what was the outcome?
16. Have you ever applied for a disregard or pardon?
| Yes | go to 16b |
| No | go to 17 |
16b. If you have, can you describe how and when you applied for a disregard or pardon, and what was the outcome?
17. Were you forced or compelled to leave the services through unofficial methods or actions, or due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel?
| Through unofficial methods or actions | go to 17b |
| Due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel | go to 17b |
| Other | go to 17b |
| I was not dismissed or administratively discharged due to my sexuality | go to 18 |
17b. Can you describe the circumstances of your leaving?
Recommendations for the future
The Review is also looking at how services can be improved for LGBT veterans, and how your service can be recognised. We would be grateful for your views.
18. What have your experiences been of veterans services, and how can services for veterans today be made more accessible and inclusive for LGBT veterans?
19. How can government ensure that veterans dismissed or otherwise required to leave Her Majesty’s Armed Forces because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation are recognised and accepted as full members of the Armed Forces community?
20. How can the government acknowledge and appreciate the service of LGBT veterans?
21. Is there anything else relevant to the Review, and within its terms of reference, which you wish to add?
Verification
LGBT veterans have the opportunity to provide a service number, for us to verify. This is to ensure that we have an accurate understanding of the views of service and ex-service people.
This verification process is completely voluntary and you do not have to provide this information, however, it would help to ensure that the testimony given is authentic.
Testimony will still be accepted without the provision of a service number.
Responses will not be attributed to individuals in any published document without prior consent. Service number will only be used for verification purposes.
Service numbers will not be kept beyond the need to verify them.
22. If you wish to provide your service number, please do so in the box below. Note: if you have multiple service numbers you only need provide one.
Follow up conversations
At the end of the Call for Evidence we may want to contact some veterans to have a follow up conversation in order to give greater insight into their experiences.
Responses will not be attributed to individuals in any published document without prior consent.
23. If you wish to be considered for a follow up interview, please provide an email.
Case studies
We may want to publish some testimony as case studies over the duration of the Review. This will help us reflect the experiences of LGBT veterans.
These will be anonymous and all personal information removed.
24. If you would like for your testimony to be used in a case study, please provide an email or address so we may contact you.
Service information
In order to build a picture of who responded to the Call for Evidence, we would be grateful for information on your service history.
This information will be aggregated, so no individual can be identified.
25. Please mark all services that you have served in:
| regular armed forces |
| reserve armed forces |
| National Service |
26. If you served in the regular armed forces, please mark all that apply
| Royal Navy Regular |
| Royal Marines Regular |
| British Army Regular |
| Royal Air Force Regular |
| National Service |
| Gurkhas |
| Ulster Defence Regiment |
| Royal Irish Regiment |
| Other |
27. If you have previously served in the reserve forces, please mark all that apply:
| Full Time Reserve Service |
| Part Time Reserve Service |
| Royal Naval Reserve |
| Women’s Royal Naval Service |
| Royal Marines Reserve |
| Royal Fleet Reserve |
| Royal Fleet Auxiliary |
| Royal Navy Sponsored Reserve |
| Army Reserve |
| Territorial Army |
| Auxiliary Territorial Service |
| Army Sponsored Reserve |
| Ulster Defence Regiment |
| Royal Irish Rangers |
| Royal Irish Regiment |
| Royal Air Force Reserve |
| Royal Air Force Sponsored Reserve |
| RAF Reserve of Officers |
| RAF Reserve of Ranks |
| Royal Auxiliary Air Force |
| Women’s Auxiliary Air Force |
| Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
| Royal Air Force Sponsored Reserve |
| Called-out Reservists |
| Home Guard |
| Other. Do not enter if you only served in any of the following: ■ Royal Air Force Training Corps ■ Royal Air Force Air Experience Flight ■ Royal Air Force Volunteer Gliding Schools ■ Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme ■ Combined Cadet Force ■ Army Cadet Force ■ Cadet Force Adult Volunteers ■ Sea Cadet Instructors or Students ■ University Royal Naval Units ■ University Air Squadrons ■ Air Cadets ■ Ministry of Defence Civilians or Other Civilians |
28. When did you serve? (please mark all that apply)
| 1967-1970 |
| 1971-1974 |
| 1975-1978 |
| 1979-1982 |
| 1983-1986 |
| 1987-1990 |
| 1991-1994 |
| 1995-1998 |
| 1999-2000 |
29. Do you still serve?
| Yes |
| No |
Demographic Questions
Answering the following questions will help us to better analyse and understand your response to the Call for Evidence. The information you provide will only be used for analytical purposes. These are completely voluntary.
30. How old are you?
| 35-44 |
| 45-54 |
| 55-64 |
| 65+ |
| Prefer not to say |
31. Location: Which area of the United Kingdom do you live in?
| North East |
| North West |
| Yorkshire and the Humber |
| East Midlands |
| West Midlands |
| East of England |
| London |
| South East |
| South West |
| Wales |
| Scotland |
| Northern Ireland |
| Prefer not to say |
| Outside of the UK, please specify |
32. Ethnic group: Choose one option that best describes your ethnic group or background.
| White |
| Mixed/multiple ethnic groups |
| Asian/Asian British |
| Black/African/Caribbean/Black British |
| Prefer not to say |
| Other ethnic group, please specify |
33. Disability: Do you consider yourself to have a disability?
| Yes | go to 33b |
| No | go to 34 |
| Prefer not to say | go to 34 |
33b. If you answered yes, is your disability related to having served in the military?
| Yes |
| No |
| Prefer not to say |
34. Religion: What is your religion?
| Christian |
| Buddhist |
| Hindu |
| Jewish |
| Muslim |
| Sikh |
| No religion |
| Prefer not to say |
| Any other religion, please specify: |
35. What best describes your gender?
| Female |
| Male |
| Non-binary |
| Prefer not to say |
| I prefer to self describe |
36. Do you identify as trans?
| Yes |
| No |
| Prefer not to say |
2. Other Military Personnel Questionnaire
Experience in the service
1. Did you witness people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality?
| Yes | go to 1b |
| No | go to 2 |
1b. If you did witness unfavourable treatment, can you describe what you witnessed?
2. Were you involved in implementing and enforcing the ban? – military police, medical personnel and legal officials.
| Yes | go to 2b |
| No | go to 3 |
2b. If yes, in what way?
3. What was your view of the ban?
Changing services and recognising veterans
We are interested in your views on improving services for LGBT veterans and recognising them.
4. How can services for veterans today be made more accessible and inclusive for LGBT veterans?
5. How can government ensure that veterans dismissed or otherwise required to leave Her Majesty’s Armed Forces because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation are recognised and accepted as full members of the Armed Forces community?
6. How can the government acknowledge and appreciate the service of LGBT veterans?
7. Is there anything else relevant to the Review, and within its terms of reference, which you wish to add?
Service information
In order to build a picture of who responded to the Call for Evidence, we would be grateful for information on your service history.
This information will be aggregated, so no individual can be identified.
8. Please mark all services that you have served in:
| regular armed forces |
| reserve armed forces |
| National Service |
9. If you served in the regular armed forces, please mark all that apply
| Royal Navy Regular |
| Royal Marines Regular |
| British Army Regular |
| Royal Air Force Regular |
| National Service |
| Gurkhas |
| Ulster Defence Regiment |
| Royal Irish Regiment |
| Other |
10. If you have previously served in the reserve forces, please mark all that apply:
| Full Time Reserve Service |
| Part Time Reserve Service |
| Royal Naval Reserve |
| Women’s Royal Naval Service |
| Royal Marines Reserve |
| Royal Fleet Reserve |
| Fleet Auxiliary |
| Royal Navy Sponsored Reserve |
| Army Reserve |
| Territorial Army |
| Auxiliary Territorial Service |
| Army Sponsored Reserve |
| Ulster Defence Regiment |
| Royal Irish Rangers |
| Royal Irish Regiment |
| Royal Air Force Reserve |
| Royal Air Force Sponsored Reserve |
| RAF Reserve of Officers |
| RAF Reserve of Ranks |
| Royal Auxiliary Air Force |
| Women’s Auxiliary Air Force |
| Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
| Royal Air Force Sponsored Reserve |
| Called-out Reservists |
| Home Guard |
| Other. Do not enter if you only served in any of the following: ■ Royal Air Force Training Corps ■ Royal Air Force Air Experience Flight ■ Royal Air Force Volunteer Gliding Schools ■ Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme ■ Combined Cadet Force ■ Army Cadet Force ■ Cadet Force Adult Volunteers ■ Sea Cadet Instructors or Students ■ University Royal Naval Units ■ University Air Squadrons ■ Air Cadets ■ Ministry of Defence Civilians or Other Civilians |
11. When did you serve (please mark all that apply)?
| 1967-1970 |
| 1971-1974 |
| 1975-1978 |
| 1979-1982 |
| 1983-1986 |
| 1987-1990 |
| 1991-1994 |
| 1995-1998 |
| 1999-2000 |
12. Do you still serve?
| Yes |
| No |
Demographic Questions
Answering the following questions will help us to better analyse and understand your response to the Call for Evidence. The information you provide will only be used for analytical purposes. These are completely voluntary.
13. How old are you?
| 35-44 |
| 45-54 |
| 55-64 |
| 65+ |
| Prefer not to say |
14. Which area of the United Kingdom do you live in?
| North East |
| North West |
| Yorkshire and the Humber |
| East Midlands |
| West Midlands |
| East of England |
| London |
| South East |
| South West |
| Wales |
| Scotland |
| Northern Ireland |
| Prefer not to say |
| Outside of the UK, please specify |
15. Ethnic group: Choose one option that best describes your ethnic group or background.
| White |
| Mixed/multiple ethnic groups |
| Asian/Asian British |
| Black/African/Caribbean/Black British |
| Prefer not to say |
| Other ethnic group, please specify |
16. Disability: Do you consider yourself to have a disability?
| Yes | go to 16b |
| No | go to 17 |
| Prefer not to say | go to 17 |
16b. If you answered yes, is your disability related to having served in the military?
| Yes |
| No |
| Prefer not to say |
| Not applicable to me |
17. Religion: What is your religion?
| Christian |
| Buddhist |
| Hindu |
| Jewish |
| Muslim |
| Sikh |
| No religion |
| Prefer not to say |
| Any other religion, please specify: |
18. What best describes your gender?
| Female |
| Male |
| Non-binary |
| Prefer not to say |
| I prefer to self describe |
19. Do you identify as trans?
| Yes |
| No |
| Prefer not to say |
Case studies
We may want to publish some testimony as case studies over the duration of the Review.
These will be anonymous and all personal information removed.
20. If you are willing for your testimony to be used in a case study, please provide an email or address so we may contact you.
3. Family, Friends and Other Representatives Questionnaire
1. What is your relationship with the service person affected by the ban?
| Parent |
| Spouse/partner |
| Child |
| Sibling |
| Friend |
| Colleague |
| Other (please describe): |
Impact of the ban
2. How did the ban affect them? Please describe as best you can.
Dismissal or discharge
3. Was the individual concerned dismissed or discharged due to sexuality or perceived sexuality?
| Yes | go to 3b |
| No | go to 4 |
3b. If they were dismissed or discharged, can you say what happened?
4. If they were dismissed from service, how did this impact their – Health and wellbeing (including physical and mental health), relationships (including service, family, friends, & partners), employability and career, housing, or financial position?
Remedy and compensation
5. Did they ever apply for any remedy or compensation for their dismissal?
| Yes | go to 5b |
| No | go to 6 |
5b. If they did apply, can you describe how and when they applied, and what was the outcome?
6. Did they ever receive any remedy or compensation for their dismissal?
| Yes | go to 6b |
| No | go to 7 |
6b. If they received any remedy or compensation, how was it received?
7. Did they ever apply for medals and badges to be returned?
| Yes | go to 7b |
| No | go to 8 |
7b. If they did apply, can you describe how and when they applied for medals and honours to be returned, and what was the outcome?
Improving the service
8. How can government ensure that veterans dismissed or otherwise required to leave Her Majesty’s Armed Forces because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation are recognised and accepted as full members of the Armed Forces community?
9. How can the government acknowledge and appreciate the service of LGBT veterans?
10. How can services for veterans today be made more accessible and inclusive for LGBT veterans?
11. Is there anything else relevant to the Review, and within its terms of reference, which you wish to add?
4. Organisations Questionnaire
What does your organisation do, and does it deliver services to LGBT veterans?
What is your organisation’s view on the impact of the 1967 to 2000 ban on LGBT personnel in the armed forces community?
How can services for veterans today be made more accessible and inclusive for LGBT veterans?
How can government ensure that veterans dismissed or otherwise required to leave Her Majesty’s Armed Forces because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation: i) are recognised and accepted as full members of the Armed Forces community; and ii) that HMG acknowledges and appreciates their service?
Are you aware of any other research or surveys the government should be aware of which can help the review make recommendations?
Is there any other research the government should undertake to further understand the impact of the ban?
Is there anything else relevant to the Review, and within its terms of reference, which you wish to add?
5. Academics and Others Who Work in the Area Questionnaire
Please give your view or evidence of the impact of the ban on LGBT personnel and others in the armed forces community?
How can services for veterans today be made more accessible and inclusive for LGBT veterans?
How can government ensure that veterans dismissed or otherwise required to leave Her Majesty’s Armed Forces because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation: i) are recognised and accepted as full members of the Armed Forces community; and ii) that HMG acknowledges and appreciates their service?
Are you aware of any other research or surveys the government should be aware of which can help the review make recommendations?
Is there any other research the government should undertake to further understand the impact of the ban?
Is there anything else relevant to the Review, and within its terms of reference, which you wish to add?