LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
They struggled being forced to resign from the career they loved and had intended to be a lifetime career. They felt it was completely unfair and irrational. They also had to see a Psychiatrist, as homosexuality was then viewed as a form of mental illness. The investigation took a total of five months and they were interviewed four times, for up to 15 hours. The lengthy investigations led the individual wanting to end their own life and suffered from alcohol abuse.
The individual had false feelings of guilt, due to others losing their careers due to their letters and diaries. The stress and trauma of the investigation forced the individual into having to out themselves prematurely to their parents, friends and family. This was effectively before they had even truly accepted themselves. Although they feel like they were one of the ‘lucky ones’ in that their parents let them come home to live with them when they returned from Germany, it was still an incredibly hard adjustment for them all.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the British Army and the Royal Air Force.
They were subject to an investigation into their sexuality as they had a civilian friend who was gay. Their room, locker and vehicle were subsequently searched, which the individual states, the search of their belongings and possessions was intense and extremely invasive. Items were removed from their room which were thought to be relevant to the investigation. Personal letters were being read and photographs were gone through, questions and allegations were then put to the individual later that day in a further interview. Following the search, they were taken back to the interview room for further invasive and humiliating questioning. At the end of the interview, the individual was given a document to sign which, at first, contained non-factual information.
The individual then contacted the investigators the next day to ask for the outcome of the investigation, and they were told their service could continue. From that point onwards, they found it extremely difficult to integrate with colleagues and continue their RAF Service. Their personal items were never returned to them.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was hunted, undermined, undervalued, held back, side lined, diminished, excluded, humiliated, bullied, discriminated against, frightened, hyper vigilant, assaulted both physically and verbally, including attempted blackmail because of both being gay and being a woman, in HM Armed Forces. This has affected them so deeply that they still struggle with self-identity. They had to regularly attempt to prevent assault from other colleagues.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were twice investigated, and physically and mentally abused by other ratings and officers. Members of their family disowned them and they are still emotionally affected to this day.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual details suffering from stress and mental illness due to bullying by senior officers, which were blamed on the individual’s ‘lifestyle choices’. The individual’s spouse threatened to expose to the services that the individual was bisexual, which caused them to feel trapped.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being subject to a humiliating and intimidating investigation during which, the individual’s personal belongings were searched and their address book taken, which was used to contact family and friends without the individual’s consent. The individual was asked thorough questions on their private life, including intimate and probing questions, such as homosexual sexual activities, and were threatened that their name will be put on a register held by Scotland Yard as a ‘sexual deviant’. Their family were also informed that they were under investigation for being homosexual. The individual was not offered advice or support, nor allowed access to a lawyer or pastoral support. Whilst the investigation was taking place, the individual spent weeks manually updating Queen Regulation Handbooks in an open-plan office, of which no one acknowledged or engaged in conversation with the individual. They were subsequently administratively discharged from the Armed Forces at nineteen years old. The individual found leaving the military extremely difficult, and there were no organisations to support people in this situation. They felt ashamed, guilty and confused. Friends and colleagues from the RAF cut ties with the individual, resulting in a particularly lonely time. They felt as though their life was over before it had begun.
LGBT Veteran who served in the British Army. They were discharged due to an investigation into their sexuality. The individual was punished for being caught with a same-sex partner. This individual joined the police but was always impacted by the investigations and treatment in the Army. The individual was scarred by the treatment of the SIB describing it as one of the scariest experiences of their lives.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality when they tried to re-enlist, being told that they don’t take lesbians. This included being investigated following their partner admitting to the relationship in a separate interview. Their personal items were searched followed by a psychiatrist visit who deemed the individual fit for discharge. Seniors cut off the chevrons off their uniform and told the individual they were a disgrace to the uniform and the Army. They state that their dismissal put a huge strain on their family. This resulted in the individual suffering with mental health issues, alcohol abuse and financial hardship which still exist today.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1991 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality before the individual had accepted their sexuality themselves. This included being investigated after being reported falsely for kissing a same-sex individual in a bar. This resulted in their arrest and they were held in the guardroom overnight. On return to their unit, their room was searched and their colleagues interviewed. This resulted in a six-month warning order, affecting their pay and chances of promotion, and their personnel file was annotated with a form about homosexuality in the Army, which could be viewed by new units and all the clerks.
The individual was recorded as temperamentally unsuitable for service due to their sexuality. They underwent a psychiatric assessment to avoid discharge. This was after the ban had been lifted.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army and got involved in heterosexual relationships to cover their sexual identity. They were almost a victim of sexual assault which they were forced to keep secret so as to keep their sexual identity a secret.
The individual was involved in an intrusive investigation including the searching of their room and SIB taking personal items. During this time, the individual was requested to reveal anyone else they knew to be gay in order to save their career. After the interrogation, they were discharged and suffered with their mental health. They received no support from the military on their departure. The individual was asked to come back due to their experience and exemplary record but, once they contacted MoD to agree, they were told it was a mistake.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They were forced to conceal their sexuality from not only their colleagues, but also their family. This was so their family would not have to lie for them if questioned by vetting officers. They regularly witnessed a homophobic culture and were also pressured to engage in heterosexual relationships and sex. They experienced difficulty after the ban was lifted when colleagues were angry they had not trusted them to disclose their sexuality.
LGBT Veteran who served in the British Army during. After admitting to the Medical Officer about their sexuality, a few hours later the individual was summoned to the Chief and Staff’s office and questioned.
The individual was aware of serving personnel being jailed for homosexual or accused homosexual activities, which resulted in them fearing for their own career. These fears had an adverse impact mentally on the individual’s abilities for duties.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. They recall when suspected of being gay after an innocent incident, they were stripped of their positive vetting and made to re trade to a lower rank, for which they were overqualified. In addition to being made to sign a declaration to say they had been on the brink of a lesbian relationship and if they did not sign this they would be dishonourably discharged.
They were then posted overseas on a ‘punishment posting’. They state the experience made them question their sexual orientation and shut themselves off from a social life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the Royal Navy and excelled throughout their career. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated a number of times over four months, even though the individual admitted their sexuality during the first line of questioning. The prolonged investigation caused the individual to sustain homophobic abuse from colleagues once they heard about the situation. When the individual questioned why they were still under investigation having admitted to their sexuality, the SIB officer stated that they thought that the individual may have been lying about being gay to get discharged. This caused confusion for the individual and affected the individual’s mental health.
During the interrogations, the questions were very explicit, including asking the individual what they used during sex with their partner and if they used sex toys or just fingers. This was the individual’s first relationship, and the investigation made them feel as though what they were doing wasn’t normal – this had a lasting impact on their life.
The individual was subsequently administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and they were not offered any support from the military upon their departure. They did not have a home, a job nor any money. The individual felt they could not move back to their hometown due to their sexuality and potential embarrassment for their family, although they were very supportive.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. Although they were never out or outed they experienced homophobic treatment, name calling and eventually chose to leave the toxic environment. The individual was repeatedly singled out and bullied. There were occasions of extreme homophobia.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and describe the ban as having a crushing effect on their happiness. This individual was impacted financially and emotionally. They still to this day struggle to form relationships both with family and others.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and they felt as though they were being hunted and became suspicious of colleagues. It was known military police would be in bars and clubs, which made socialising difficult. The individual received a tip-off that they had been reported for a same-sex relationship and their room was going to be thoroughly searched. They were first interviewed by the SIB and were asked personal questions about their sexuality and relationships with same-sex colleagues. Nothing was found in the room search but the individual now felt extremely paranoid, which led to heavy drinking. When the individual left the Army, they were unable to be open about their sexuality. On one occasion, the individual was taken ill. Because the individual was unable to be open about their sexuality, it led to a delayed diagnosis of their illness.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned where the individual felt like a criminal. Their room was searched and personal effects used in questioning. Using evidence from several soldiers which provided their guilt (but were untrue), they were discharged from the Armed Forces. The individual was made to ring their family in front of everyone to tell them the reason for their discharge – their family did not know their sexuality and their relationship with their family was affected. Upon departure, they did not receive any support and it was made very clear it was the individual’s fault they were in this situation. They found difficulty in securing employment due to being kicked out of the military.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including given harsher penalties for misdemeanours than their colleagues for similar offences. They were forced to leave the RAF as concealing their sexuality was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore and keep secret – the threat of dishonourable discharge and a prison sentence were very apparent. Today, the individual still does not feel they can be honest with work colleagues about their sexuality. This had a profound effect on their social life and their ambitions in terms of promotion which, in turn, has had financial ramifications.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual lived in constant fear of being ‘outed’ and receiving a dishonourable discharge. They became isolated and scared in case of retribution by colleagues, and felt they couldn’t trust anyone. They suffered from ‘fear and mistrust’ which caused a serious knock-on effect on their mental health which still affects them today, including issues with socialisation and fear of self-identifying with their sexuality. They still are not able to engage with LGBT community.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The nature of dismissal was through unofficial methods or actions and due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel.
A colleague was reported after engaging in same-sex relations. Colleagues assaulted them when the news got out, and on one occasion had a razor blade put to their throat. They admitted to the charges which triggered a SIB investigation. They were not offered representation. They were interviewed and had their personal items searched. They were sent to a doctor who asked for the individual to bend over so they could check for evidence and a physicist to question them about their sexuality. At one stage, they were asked if it was all fake in order to get out of the Army. They were placed in military prison and tasked with menial jobs until their court martial where they were sentenced to six months in prison, despite being an exemplary soldier. They appealed, which was successful, resulting in the individual’s discharge from the Armed Forces. They returned home and were told they were not welcome.
The individual states they have not fully recovered from their discharge and still suffer from mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. It took them four years to gain employment due to both shame and their discharge papers.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force and were unaware of their sexuality when they joined. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality which included verbal abuse. This included being investigated when their name was mentioned in another investigation with a colleague. The interview lasted for a few hours and was undertaken by four members of the military police. They requested to search the individual’s house but, as they lived off base, the individual was able to deny this request. The next day, during a second interview, the individual confessed their sexuality. They were also subject to medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces after six months of their SIB interview.
The individual had to tell their family at the same time their sister was diagnosed with terminal cancer. On their departure, the individual became depressed. Their sister died a few weeks after which only added to their mental health issues. The individual had to move back in with their family and were unemployed for one year, during which they did not receive any report from the military. They felt helpless and alone having lost the career they loved.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1975 and 1994 in the British Army and knew they were transgender. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They left the Army voluntarily as they felt they could not cope anymore, and ended up joining the TA instead. Due to ongoing verbal abuse, this resulted in the individual leaving the TA too. To this day, the individual has still not told people about their past.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the Royal Navy. On their first day of service, all entrants were warned that it was illegal to be gay in the military and were told to leave straight away if they were. From this day, the individual had to hide their sexuality. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, with colleagues using derogatory homophobic language as an insult. Some colleagues refused to shower with the individual. The fear of being caught is still felt by the individual to this day. The individual was caught with a same-sex colleague which led to an investigation. The individual was first subject to a medical examination at A&E where they were ordered to strip naked and an internal and external examination of both their backside and penis. At no point did they get the individual’s consent. They were then taken to the cell block and stayed there for weeks, the light of the cell always on. They were not allowed to talk to anyone during this time.
When they were questioned, they were not offered representation or read their rights. They offered to make a statement in a desperate attempt to get out of the cell. The individual was told the military suspected they were at the centre of an organised homosexual group which ‘polluted’ each ship they went on. When they had their personal possessions returned, there were missing items. They were then told their sister had died – their father had been contacting MoD for a week to try and locate the individual to get them to see their sister before they died, and were told the individual could not be contacted.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, and were made to think they had an illness. They were subject to an investigation which lasted six hours, with intimate and personal questioning. Their room was searched and personal items taken. It was very humiliating for the individual. The individual was sent to see a psychiatrist where they were interviewed further. They were subsequently discharged from the Armed Forces. Upon departure, the individual had no home, job nor money, and lost their self-esteem and confidence. They continued to hide their sexuality for a further 27 years due to feeling ashamed by the way they were treated.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They bought themselves out of the Armed Forces leaving with an exemplary record however have suffered with mental health issues and were homeless for two years.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. The individual did not know they were gay when joining the RAF. The SIB investigated the individual and escorted them to a psychiatric ward. They were given prescription medication and although recommended they refused electroshock therapy. It has been extremely difficult for this individual to remain in steady employment. The treatment has had lasting mental impacts on the ability to form meaningful relationships.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were told there wasn’t room for people like them in the Army. They became very depressed and introverted, not wanting to mix with people outside of their close circle of friends as they were unable to trust people. They avoided the mess as they felt they could not face colleagues. On their departure from the military, they were reluctant to discuss their sexuality until recently.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, which included both verbal and physical abuse. This included being investigated and subject to room raids. They left the military voluntarily due to the harassment, which made the individual feel afraid to be themselves and a lasting fear of persecution.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the British Army and gained numerous exemplary, outstanding reports and was promoted through the ranks quickly. However, they soon experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, causing the individual to feel bullied and victimised, resulting in a demotion and exclusion from extra activities. Colleagues posted to their area were ordered not to support the individual and to look out for reasons for demotion. They were also investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual resigned and sought a career outside the military. After signing off, senior ranks shouted at the individual in the street stating they did not want the individual within the military. The individual felt punished and mistreated for no reason apart from a perceived LGBT tendency.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1975 and 1986 in the RAF. The individual was not aware they were gay until they entered a relationship during their military career. After a future relationship with a civilian ended, they reported the individual to the RAF police which resulted in a 3-4-month long investigation with no representation including 3-4 days in a cell. They were told if they did not cooperate they would receive a court martial and be imprisoned. The individual was subsequently administratively discharged from the military for ‘Services No Longer Required’. During the investigation, their room and letters were searched (which also led to a friend getting kicked out of the Armed Forces) and they were asked intrusive and intimate questions including sexual activity, even though the individual admitted to being gay. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality by others after they found out after the investigation. This resulted in depression and loneliness.
On their departure, the RAF Police sent the individual’s letters to their parents, who were not aware of the individual’s sexuality, affecting their relationship for ~15 years. They spent half a year unemployed as employers would ask why they were no longer in the military, to which the individual answered honestly. They suffered from mental health, housing issues and financial hardship, sleeping on friends’ sofas before being able to receive a council flat. They did go to have a successful career.
LGBT Veteran who served in the Royal Navy and was accused of alleged homosexuality. They were interviewed and humiliated in front of the rest of camp, although their colleagues remained supportive. Their room and possessions were searched before they were subjected to two days of questioning. This resulted in the individual thinking about taking their own life. After the investigation, the individual put in their notice to leave the Royal Navy due to fear of being eventually caught and that they did not feel joy working in the military anymore.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They understood that being out would not be compatible with their career. They had to continuously listen to homophobic jokes and mocking behaviour. They left due to realising that remaining in the army would be damaging to themselves over time and have lasting impacts.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the British Army. The individual thought they were heterosexual when they joined and only later became aware of their homosexuality later. They then lived with the fear of being found out and they experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including other colleagues threatening to expose the individual’s current relationship. The individual still has not admitted the relationship to any family members; only a few of their friends. The individual felt ‘relieved’ when the relationship ended after 10 years as they no longer had to hide it and continued to remain single to this day.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. The individual was not treated unfairly as they kept their sexuality hidden, including lying on their vetting forms upon joining. When working in a government department, the individual was due for a renewal of their security clearance. Due to being frightened of the Navy finding out about their sexuality, the individual left the Reserve beforehand.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their perceived sexuality. They recall not being aware of their sexuality when they joined the Army and also in fear of being gay due to a strict catholic upbringing. They were investigated and reported that the experience was daunting and had a major impact on them and still affects them today. They also reported they do not openly talk about who they are due to their experiences in the Army and the way they were treated.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. They were dismissed for homosexual activity under the ban at the age of 21. The SIB investigated them. They were unaware of them being about to undergo any investigation before they were arrested. They suspected the SIB may have been building up a file on them in relation to them visiting gay venues. At the time, it was widely known that the SIB was on a ‘witch hunt’, like bloodhounds, and any whiff of homosexuality they would follow up. When awareness grew that the individual was gay, they say that they had to live a double life, that they did not want to live. They just wanted to be allowed to be themselves and get on with their job, but they could not. They were not allowed to integrate both sides of their life and they could not let those they served with know they were gay, and equally they told very few people they met in the gay world, if any, that they were in the Navy. Like all young people at that age, you want to find that right partner and share a life with them, but the individual felt that they couldn’t go out and find someone, get to know them, tell them about the navy and build a relationship. That was all closed off as an option for them. As a result, they ended up just having meaningless one-night stands, and when someone wanted to see them again, they made sure that never happened.
This individual spent time in detention, was medically examined and made homeless. The individual used the Navy as an escape from an unpleasant family life and in turn, as dismissed, their family rejected the individual again. They spent time on the streets following dismissal which still mentally impacts them to this day. Financially, emotionally and physically this veteran has been severely affected by the actions of the dismissal. To this day the individual is estranged from family and now lives with a number of health conditions. Immediately after dismissal, for the first couple of years, was absolute hell, throwing the individual into the darkest pits of places just to survive. The experience broke them psychologically and emotionally and they never recovered. After that life just seemed like a dull, lifeless experience that they were going through, just existing in it rather than fully experiencing and enjoying it.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. The individual felt they could not pursue any same-sex relationship whilst they served, and describes that they did not come out, rather they went back into their shell.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality and were accused of being homosexual and were discharged, under ‘Services No Longer Required’, because of this. They weren’t the only one, many others were hounded out too. There were constant checks on barrack rooms and opening private mail to expose anyone who was reported to be gay.
The individual expresses that they struggled to find their way after leaving the Army, they went from job to job not knowing what to do. Their mental health was bad and they were diagnosed with depression, had alcohol problems and attempted suicide on multiple occasions. They say they ended up with no money and no career.
Non-LGBT personnel who served in the Royal Navy during the ban. The individual witnessed the imprisonment and dismissal of a friend and colleague and were aware of the negative impact this had on their friend and the unfairness of it. The individual states that the way the ban was enforced was illogical, immoral and a denial of natural justice. They believed it to be cruel, inconsistent and arbitrary, and that individuals were mistreated.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1974 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and had their medals or conduct badges removed.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including verbal abuse and subject to room raids. This was followed by an investigation after going AWOL with their same-sex partner. The individual was jailed for ten days and subject to intimate questioning about their relationship without representation, which ultimately led to their discharge from the Armed Forces. They suffered, and still do, from anxiety, low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. This resulted in self-hatred in themselves and their sexuality. They struggled to find employment after being discharged. They attempted to take their own life, self-harmed and struggled to rebuild their life. They feel that they have PTSD now due to their experience. They did not receive any support from the military during this period. Ultimately, the individual thought they were in the wrong for being gay.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality including homophobic slurs. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned which in turn resulted in depression.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1986 in the Royal Air Force, and they did not reveal their sexuality during their service. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual describes always feeling like a criminal which caused them to have low self-esteem and constant fear of being found out. They decided not to sign on for longer in the military due to needing to be true to themselves.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated with the SIB (which was voice recorded) who asked the individual to reveal the names of everyone they had relations with. They were dismissed from the Armed Forces after being charged with three offences and found guilty on all accounts. This caused difficulty for the individual to find another job with their Naval documentation.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned.
They didn’t admit to anyone that they were gay and even grew their hair and attempted opposite-sex relationships to be seen to fit in. They were having an internal battle every single day with how they felt. They lived a lie for their entire military career. It took many years to come out and whilst they are now comfortable with who they are, it took its toll.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1971 and 1990 in the British Army. They were a prosecutor in military courts. They prosecuted Courts Martial against Service personnel for homosexuality. They recall a service member who took their own life before their trial.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1979 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, where they describe a culture of intimidation, questioning and threats.
LGBT Veteran who began basic training in the Royal Marines in 1977. Following an alcohol fuelled evening they woke up in bed with another trainee when a senior entered the room and were dismissed from basic training.
They reported that the young recruit from the opposite bed was in the same bed as them on one occasion after a heavy night of drinking. They had no idea why or how, as the recruit was not there on the individual’s request or invitation. They had come back to the room, drunk and got into the wrong bed.
Both recruits were aggressively woken up and immediately hauled off to a medical room under guard, where the doctors were called, and the individual was forced to endure an internal examination. On many occasions they considered suicide, and were very close a number of times. They say they have lived with constant guilt about what happened, and feel emptiness.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1994 in the RAF. The individual eventually decided to leave the RAF. They were in a same-sex relationship and could not involve their partner in any social aspects of the military. They decided to leave because they decided they could no longer live with the lies.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality which included homophobic slurs continuously from colleagues across the ranks. This included being investigated, being dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and having their medals or conduct badges removed. The nature of dismissal was due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel. On leaving the armed forces, the individual was sent for a medical investigation and subjected to invasive examinations. The individual also suffered financial hardship trying to set up a new career outside the military.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They began a same-sex relationship where the individual felt hypocritical that they were serving in an organisation that did not recognise their sexuality. The individual was conscious about who they spoke to. The fear of being found out led to them leaving the service earlier than they would have liked.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1994 in the British Army, where they had to hide their sexuality. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, which included bullying. This led to the individual taking drugs to escape the pain, which resulted in their discharge.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1994 in the British Army. They enlisted and were discharged for becoming pregnant. They later re-enlisted and were investigated for their alleged sexuality and subsequently arrested for ‘alleged Lesbian activities’ where the individual was made to feel like a criminal. During the investigation, their room was searched thoroughly. Due to this second period of discrimination from the Army and following a raid, they voluntarily resigned. The individual suffered from multiple breakdowns, anxiety and PTSD and are still on medication for depression. They are currently single and find it hard to form relationships, and feel uncomfortable in social situations.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army where they experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were investigated and warned that their sexuality was under suspicion after a platonic friend was found in their room. They refused to sign a document acknowledging they would be dismissed if further evidence of their sexuality came to light. They were passed over for promotion and their request for a transfer to a different location was never passed onto the correct authorities.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the Royal Navy after joining from a broken home. They were not told they couldn’t join if they were gay and only found out after they finished their basic training. Upon joining the military, the individual had to undergo a medical where they were sexually assaulted and were sexually harassed regularly. During their time in the military, they experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and felt they could not be free to be themselves, constantly looking over their back and lying about heterosexual relationships and where they had been. They would often find other gay colleagues and pretend to go out with each other; you had to ‘prove’ you were straight. Their accommodation was searched but, thanks to being forewarned that the SIB was coming, they managed to hide any incriminating evidence. They heard stories of investigations, electro therapy and sleep therapy of those suspected of homosexuality.
On one occasion, the individual was sexually assaulted by colleagues and, on another, by a senior. The individual then decided to leave the military due to the abuse. A colleague wrote to the individual’s parents with details about their departure. When they left, they had no home nor money. They felt worthless and that what happened was their fault. The individual suffered from mental health issues, including severe PTSD, anxiety and considered suicide. They still have nightmares and night terrors, and are still undergoing psychotherapy from what they experienced.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army and became part of the Military Police. They did not know their sexuality when joining and became aware of their sexuality later, but committed to hiding it in order to stay in the military. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. After an ex-partner had visited the SIB, the individual went back to their room to destroy any evidence of same-sex relationships. The individual was subsequently investigated and oppressively interviewed several times, without representation. ‘Evidence’ was found of their relationship and they admitted it. They were then recommended for psychiatric assessment to fix them, which the individual refused. Although the individual tried to appeal the decision, they were discharged from the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’. They felt ashamed and unable to tell their family what had happened, which caused a strain on their relationship. They faced financial difficulties and had debt for twenty years and felt it took a further twenty to rebuild their life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, where the individual denied they were homosexual.
However, during their service, the individual had a consensual relationship with another RAF service woman, and it became a choice to continue that relationship or leave the military. They decided on the latter as they knew they couldn’t both have an RAF career and be together.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, and administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. They had their medals or conduct badges removed, were threatened with court martial and lover going to prison for two years. Following omission of homosexuality, they were escorted off base within 24 hours.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual felt they couldn’t live a lie anymore and made an appointment with their Commanding Officer where they confessed their sexuality. Within hours, they were dismissed with immediate effect with ‘Services No Longer Required’ from the Armed Forces.
Before they were sent home, they were taken to a doctor to check on their mental health and interviewed to ascertain if the individual had any sexual relations in the RAF. Upon their departure from the military, the individual felt lost for a number of years. Their mental health suffered and they were unable to work for a few years due to a lack of confidence. They did have a strong support network of family and friends which helped the individual get back on track following their dismissal.
Non-LGBT personnel who still serves and served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including on one occasion a soldier being perceived-as-LGBT, with the only evidence being they did not have an opposite-sex partner. They also recall the RMP investigations were disapproved by their colleagues.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The individual was informed of the RAF policy on homosexuality, and that they could potentially go into military prison for six months, however due to their exemplary service history they were suspended immediately. They were informed that they were no longer a member of the armed forces, told not to wear any uniform or their medals, instructed not to attend a Queen’s Garden Party that they had been invited to. The individual lost everything. Their career, home, friends and their self-worth. They received no support on being thrown out.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1974 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. When the individual was on holiday, they returned to find a padlock on their room and were told by friends they were under investigation. All their belongings and letters had been searched whilst they had been away. Upon their return, they and two others were interviewed by SIB and told to confirm other gay women.
They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and made to feel as though they had committed a crime. For many years, the individual felt angry that they had been prevented from having a job they loved and had to lie to future employers on the reason why they left the military. Fortunately, their family knew they were gay and therefore were supported on their departure, they moved on and have had no problems since.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1987 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were involved in implementing and enforcing the ban.
The individual was involved in conducting the investigations, which were conducted properly and in accordance with the relevant Acts and Codes of Practice. Interviews were tape-recorded with solicitors present and conducted sensitively, with all parties involved treated with respect and dignity.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army, where they developed a fake life to hide their sexuality. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality within their time in the military, and proceeded with heterosexual relationships to prove they were straight. This lasted for 22 years until the individual felt comfortable enough to be their true self.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1974 in the British Army where they felt they could not be themselves. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and they describe the culture as homophobic, resulting in being ostracised within their unit. This was investigated – by their own colleagues – their room was searched under the pretence that they were looking for stolen property. The interviews consisted of graphic and humiliating questioning about the individual’s sexuality. They were also subject to medical examination or treatment. They were then medically discharged from the Armed Forces.
They felt that they had nowhere to turn as senior ranks were part of the homophobic culture. They reported feeling isolated and alone, noting that their confidence hit rock bottom.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. The individual felt forced out of the services despite loving the Army. They had performed well and remained celibate for 10 years fearing discovery. The individual had to be treated for three years post leaving and still suffers with mental health issues to this day.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the British Army.
Non-LGBT personnel who served in the British Army. They did not meet anyone during their Service whom they knew to be an LGBT person. However, they say that as attitudes in society changed, it became increasingly difficult for the Ministry of Defence to justify its stance.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They endured a humiliating and traumatising interrogation which led to being dishonourably discharged which they state was anxiety provoking. After this, they were left vulnerable and ended up in an abusive relationship where they suffered domestic violence and had to flee their home and job. The individual felt ashamed for a very long time and didn’t talk about their time in the services.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This individual was sexually abused by an immediate Commanding Officer, after reporting this, the RAF Police broke into their house looking for gay paraphernalia to use against them. They were constructively discharged. This ruined their life and they have since suffered with PTSD and moral injury as a direct result. At one point they attempted suicide.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1975 and 1982 in the Royal Navy after joining straight from school. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality which included verbal abuse. They were sent to military prison where they were treated like a subhuman, being physically abused, which included being beaten and ordered to go on long runs. Once the individual was thrown out of the military, their family disowned them and they were unable to start another career successfully, resulting in living on universal credit with no savings. They suffered from mental health issues including depression and anxiety due to living on their own.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force and did not know their sexuality upon joining. They soon became aware of their sexuality but did not act on it due to the ban. Soon rumours were circulating about why the individual did not have an opposite-sex partner. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was sexually assaulted by a colleague who threatened to arrest them for their sexuality if they did not comply. This happened on two more occasions. The individual did not tell anyone about what had happened and, because of feeling the need to continue as normal, continued to work close proximity to their rapist. The individual also dealt with a colleague’s death by suicide due to their sexuality being discovered. The culture became homophobic with discussions on why gays should not be in the RAF. The individual decided to subdue their sexuality and live a fake straight life. They entered heterosexual relationships long enough to defer suspicion but did not enter sexual relations. They also declined to go for a commission as they suspected this would open new lines of questioning. At the first opportunity the individual left the Armed Forces.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. The individual enjoyed the Army until they experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned resulting in the individual being stripped of their rank.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. They were administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The nature of dismissal was due to the general hostility that was shown towards LGBT personnel. Senior Officers influenced bullying and isolation. They attempted to blackmail the individual to identify other potential homosexuals. They were forced to undergo HIV tests and invasive medical investigations. Their health and wellbeing took a massive dive.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the Royal Navy. They were investigated following disclosure of their sexuality by a former partner, during which time they were not offered any support nor representation. They were also asked to supply names of other homosexuals which the individual refused. The investigators requested graphic details of same-sex relations the individual had had, which the individual found humiliating and degrading. They were due to be promoted at the time but their senior officer was told not to award the promotion. They were discharged for ‘Services No Longer Required’ and continued to suffer disadvantages in employment and with their mental health in the years following. They were not offered any support on their departure from the military. Keeping the reason for their discharge secret also affected their family relationships.
LGBT Veteran who identifies as pansexual who served between 1995 and 2004 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. Due to the environment they were in within the service, the individual felt this had a significant negative effect on their mental health. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They left the Armed Forces, and rarely tell anyone they meet they used to serve due to their experience.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. Upon meeting their partner, they chose Premature Voluntary Release (PVR).
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual describes ‘witch hunts’ and the witnessing and experiencing of coverups. Many of the CO’s who took part in these were gay. This individual’s partner attempted suicide as a result of some of the experiences.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. During their time in the Armed Forces, the individual had to hide both their sexuality and gender from their seniors which resulted in them being subject to repeated allegations of homosexuality which resulted in formal investigation and disciplinary action. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces – their experience still affected them psychologically to this day.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The nature of dismissal was due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army. The individual experienced feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety. Although not suicidal, the individual contacted Samaritans for support. They were in constant fear of being exposed and had only started conversations about their sexuality after seeing a private psychologist.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1999 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. At one stage in their career, the individual was raped by someone of the same-sex they met at the bar. This also resulted in a black eye, cut lip and cuts. The individual believes they were seen leaving the bar. They were called into their boss’ office the next morning and told that for the benefit of their career it is suggested to say that they slipped in the shower. They did not report it.
After their assault, the individual was scared to pursue any sexual relationships. After the ban was lifted, they describe there was still a negative atmosphere for gay personnel so they only felt comfortable coming out recently.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1974 in the Royal Air Force at the age of 17. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. After a friend had told the SIB about the individual’s sexuality, the individual was subject to an intimidating and threatening interview. This included a search of their accommodation and personal items, some of which were never returned. The individual was physically sick on their return. Not until ~25 years later did the individual find that their family home had also been searched. The individual went to the medical office to ask for a medical discharge rather than a court martial. They were immediately put on sick leave and confined to barracks, and had to report back to the medical centre to take medication which continued until their departure. On their medical records, it states the individual had become anxious and mildly depressed including a personality disorder, and there was no alternative but their separation from the services. On their departure, they had no job or immediate prospects of employment and they suffered from alcohol abuse, which resulted in tension, and a sense of shame and embarrassment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated with oppressive questioning where the individual was asked to give intimate details of their sex life. They were sent to see a psychiatrist which the individual suspects deemed as unfit due to a mental health condition as they were subsequently discharged for ‘Services No Longer Required’. The individual felt deeply upset, furious and devastated to have lost their chosen career. They returned to their family where they were not welcomed.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. They were discharged from the Armed Forces under ‘Services No Longer Required’. The individual was investigated on a number of occasions, the process was long and emotional. This veteran throughout the time was bullied and harassed, providing examples throughout their testimony.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual had to live a double life and eventually had to leave due to the ill health of their same-sex partner. The Navy were completely unsupportive of same-sex relationships therefore the individual had to sadly choose. They say they had to lead a double life. After leaving, they went on to have a great career in support for many high-profile LGBT organisations and charities. Had the experience to have a thriving Navy career but was unable to due to sexuality.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1971 and 1978 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including a colleague going AWOL. The individual states the ban should never have happened, and was not concerned about their colleagues’ sexuality, only if they were doing their job right.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the Royal Navy. They were bullied by officers from the beginning of their Service. They were questioned several times about their sexuality and lived in fear of being discovered. During one occasion they were questioned, an Officer described a person who had been taken to the tank deck and raped with a broom handle. They developed severe mental health difficulties and were medically discharged. Their mental health issues and the trauma of their experiences in the Royal Navy profoundly affected their life after Service. They felt unable to establish themselves in society, were cut off from their family, and lost their home.
LGBT Veteran who still serves in the Armed Forces and served between 1979 and 1986 in the British Army. They were sexually assaulted by an older and senior colleague. The reported perpetrator was merely moved elsewhere. The veteran was only given a cursory interview about the assault which mainly focussed on keeping it quiet. They were moved from distinguished frontline service to a support role in a different country. They believe that this was done because the reported perpetrator had disclosed that they were LGBT to authorities. After leaving the Army, they joined another branch of the Armed Forces and still serve today. They continue to suffer from Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their experience in the Army.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were discharged from the Armed Forces. Personal possessions were taken and never returned. They recall being interviewed by the SIB for eight hours. Withheld from using the toilet until the individual confessed to homosexuality.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. They were dismissed from the Armed Forces and had their medals or conduct badges removed.
They were investigated, had their room and personal belongings searched. They recall being cautioned in front of their friends and colleagues and interviewed under caution about the most personal and private aspects of their life and subjected to coercion, bullying, harassment, name calling and constant humiliation and told they were a disgrace to the service.
They state they were handcuffed and dragged through their accommodation block and the admin block in front of other personnel. They recall the incident as distressing and express that it has continued to have a huge impact on them; loss of career, their financial independence, their accommodation and subsequent homelessness. For the final few months of service they state they were confined to barracks, unable to contact their partner and had no way of finding out how they were and where they were. They were outed to their family and friends before they were ready. Their family relationships broke down and they weren’t welcome to return home.
They report that since then, they’ve experienced trust and relationship issues all their life, alongside self-destructive issues which also included issues with drugs and alcohol. Since their discharge they have struggled with anxiety and depression which has resulted in ongoing treatment including medication, counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy and transactional therapy.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. They were investigated by the SIB on charges of sexual assault which were later thrown out. They were transferred to a different regiment where their rumoured sexuality caused difficulty with colleagues and prevented them from obtaining security clearance.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. They were investigated where they recall being told their behaviour was ‘unnatural’ and treated as if they were a pervert. They report SIB officers took personal correspondence and personal effects were confiscated and inspected leading to an interview with an RAF Officer Psychiatrist. They describe their investigation as ‘insensitive, unpleasant and intrusive.’ This ultimately led to their dismissal from the WRAF and the Armed Forces. During the run up to this dismissal, they recall being treated with ‘outright hostility’ by fellow colleagues and lost many people who were thought to be good friends.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated where the individual was asked intimate and embarrassing questions and shown photos of a homosexual nature. They were subsequently dismissed from the Armed Forces with ‘Services No Longer Required’ written in their discharge book. The individual felt alone and had to lie to their parents on why they left.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was subjected to snide remarks from colleagues. Their experience resulted in depression and a fear of going out in fear of retribution, and a want to leave the service.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The nature of dismissal was due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel.
They were subject to an investigation (lasting four to five months) when a friend thought they were doing the right thing by disclosing the individual’s sexuality. Before this, the individual had already handed in their notice as they felt unable to continue in service under the ban. During the interview, the individual was asked to detail sexual acts and demanded names of other homosexuals they knew about. Although the individual had not had a sexual relationship at this point, they felt they had to make a relationship up in order to end the interview. They were not offered representation nor support. After questioning, their room was searched. They were subsequently sent to a psychiatric unit to undergo an assessment. Due to their sensitive role, the individual was removed from their post to undertake other simple tasks whilst the investigation was ongoing. This was a lonely time and they felt withdrawn, avoiding the mess for example, conscious they were being watched. No support was offered. Due to the change in their circumstances, the individual felt forced to come out to their family which damaged some relationships. The individual was discharged from the service as ‘unsuitable for service life’ and given a few days to clear their belongings and leave. They were able to find accommodation with family and friends but remained unemployed for five months, due to feeling ashamed and not wanting to discuss the reason for leaving the military with potential employers. During this time, the individual suffered with financial hardship.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated for six months after they were arrested, where the questions were sexually intrusive and graphic. Their room was searched and they had to be escorted everywhere during this time. They then had to come out to their family and friends. They were subsequently discharged from the Armed Forces.
The individual continues to experience depression and feelings of PTSD.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality.
The individual experienced verbal and physical assaults in vulnerable situations. This made service particularly difficult.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the British Army. A former partner reported the individual after being told if they reported to the SIB all those they knew to be gay they would be able to stay in the WRAC – this was not the case and they were dismissed. After this, the individual was interviewed with no representation and with an intimidating manner, and subsequently dismissed from the Armed Forces – this was recorded as ‘Services No Longer Required’. The individual was told there was no place in the army for someone like them. They did not receive any support upon departure and thought about ending their own life, and they still suffer from mental health issues to this day. The individual believes they are suffering from PTSD even now as revisiting this part of their life causes pain and upset – they choose to blank it out for the most part and rarely discuss their service.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. They disclosed their sexuality in a vetting interview because they wanted to be honest and ensure they could not be blackmailed. This led to a SIB investigation and their discharge from the Service. This led to feelings of great shame and periods of mental ill health in later life. It has taken nearly 40 years for them to regain the confidence they had before their dismissal.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including having their clothing questioned. This included being investigated, sent for medical testing and discharged applied for on at least three occasions. The individual was eventually administratively discharged from the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’ and had their medals or conduct badges removed. They were given 24 hours to pack their belongings, and during this time the individual was put on suicide watch without their knowledge. The investigation began when a colleague gave the individual’s name to throw suspicion off themselves, and lasted eight weeks. It took a further ten months until they were discharged. The individual states they tried not to let their discharge interfere with their life and remained open as to why they left the military, although military friendships dissolved quickly.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. The individual was discharged with disgrace. They endured a military investigation, medical and psychiatric examination. It affected their whole life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force and were unaware of their sexuality when joining. When they became aware, they felt lonely as they were unable to be honest with their friends. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality after they were reported for taking part in homosexual activities. They were subject to a search of their belongings without their permission and underwent a medical examination with a doctor where they were asked intimate questions.
The investigation continued for months where their colleagues and friends outside the forces were questioned. The individual felt quite lonely at the time as they had no one to turn to. This resulted in the individual voluntarily leaving the Armed Forces. It took them several years to accept that they were not the issue nor the problem.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the Armed Forces. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was humiliated and outed in front of the whole battalion. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and had their medals or conduct badges removed.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. They were preparing to be promoted when they were called in by investigators and intrusively interviewed about their sexuality. After hours of interrogation they disclosed their sexuality. They were asked to reveal the names of others, but only gave those who had already left Service. They were discharged with the reason listed as ‘Services No Longer Required’. Their treatment in the Armed Forces led them to feel ashamed and unable to disclose their sexuality to employers after leaving Service. They also experienced long-term financial difficulties due to their discharge following nine years of service.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1994 in the British Army. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. The individual was subjected to multiple block raids across all their postings. The individual describes the ban as affecting their whole identity due to having to live a pretend life. They were sexually assaulted by a colonel who referenced their sexuality. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and felt badly treated. This included being investigated twice, one following a false accusation of sexual assault. The second investigation took six months which was dropped when their CO stepped in to stop proceedings, although they were still subject to multiple interviews. The individual believes they are still suffering mentally and worked in constant fear every day during their service.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual ended up living a very different life to the one that they would have led had the ban not been in place. Alcohol was a useful shield and if you were seen as a drinker, the absence of an opposite-sex partner was less likely to be questioned. Because of this they still have a battle with alcohol today. The individual lived in fear for several years making decisions that may have negatively affected them due to the ban.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1974 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated multiple times which included two physiatrist examinations. The individual confessed and was discharged. Due to the ban and this treatment, family relationships suffered.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. The individual kept their sexuality a secret and could not make friends for fear of being found out, and left the service prematurely before they were forced.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army and the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual was subject to extensive investigation that took weeks. There was no evidence of this, just suspicion. Emotional trauma from this caused physical issues, i.e. hair loss etc.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1970 in the Royal Air Force. They were discharged following a disclosure of their sexuality from a former colleague. They were interrogated by RAF Police and their personal belongings were searched. Their ‘Services No Longer Required’ discharge meant that they could not apply for jobs they otherwise would have done in the private or public sector because of the vetting requirements. They tried to contact the Prime Minister and MPs to get their discharge papers changed in recent years. However, the destruction of relevant records made this impossible.
LGBT Veteran and apprentice soldier who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their perceived sexuality as rumours were spread about their apparent sexuality. They experienced bullying that led to three nights in jail and their eventual dismissal at the beginning of their career. The individual states that, after their departure from the military, it impacted their health and wellbeing, and took them twenty-eight years to feel stable within their career.
Non-LGBT personnel who still serves and served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including individuals being singled out and ridiculed in front of others. At the time, there was a culture of not knowing whether you could trust someone who might’ve seen you in a sexual way. They believe it was the same argument at the time for why women were not allowed to serve alongside men. Regardless, the individual objects strongly to the way individuals were treated.
LGBT Veteran who served in the British Army. They served in Northern Ireland and experienced unfavourable treatment due to their perceived sexuality, this came in the form of being bullied relentlessly by a Military Police Sgt Major. The individual was made to attend the gym on their days off so that they could be punished by extreme exercise with a Physical Trainer. During this time, their room was searched top to bottom. All of their letters and correspondence were seized as evidence, and they were interrogated by two SIB officers who accused the individual of having a relationship with their best friend based on letters between them. The interrogation lasted for a number of hours and they had no legal representation as they were not offered any. There was no admission of guilt towards this, even after interrogation, as it was untrue. They were then sent to a psychiatrist for a medical and ultimately, they were dismissed. The nature of dismissal was through unofficial methods or actions and due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel. The reason being ‘Suspicion of Being Involved in Lesbian Activities’. They were also made to sign the official secrets act before they were forced out of the barracks and transported to the train station.
They believe that there was no evidence apart from the fact that they were linked to being seen in the company of known lesbians. The outcome and dismissal was devastating for them, they were confused and very worried about their future. This led to their mental state being poor and as a result the individual considered taking their own life.
They have received counselling throughout the years but still have feelings of extreme anger and resentment towards the people who arrested them and put them through such terrible experiences.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Navy. The individual always wanted to work in the RAF. Upon joining, they experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality which involved a number of intrusive investigations where they were asked personal sexual-related questions, assaulted (spat at), being followed and personal letters and affects looked through. There was no support nor legal representation at any interview, and were only provided with water. The individual was medically examined upon discharge, but not intrusively in terms of sexually. They had their security clearance removed and were dismissed from the Armed Forces at age 19 and left with no career advice, no resettlement grant, and no emotional support. The individual was forced to come out to their family, some of which rejected them. Their family did not have enough room nor money to home them which made them homeless. They never financially, emotionally or mentally recovered and have suffered with alcohol abuse – they felt as though their life ended at 21. They have been in social housing, house shares and recently moved into a hostel for veterans where they experienced a hate crime, notes left on their door and threats. They attended a veterans’ course with a military charity, but on day one received homophobia which the instructors did not challenge, the individual no longer felt they could be part of the military. They later found out from their discharge certificate the discharge was for ‘medical reasons’.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was subject to a raid where their bed space was researched and both photos and letters taken by the SIB. They felt as though they were being watched at all times, adding that a new girl was placed in the shared room who turned out to be a SIB colleague. Bed checks also occurred regularly. The individual had a four-hour interview where they were asked intimate questions and, at one point, had a lamp shine into their eyes. Before, during and after the individual did not receive any help, guidance nor advice. Due to the pressure, the individual decided to hand themselves in which resulted in their discharge from the Armed Forces.
Upon departure, the individual’s parents disowned them. They secured a job but remained closed off, went into a ‘shell’ and were unable to speak about their experience in the military openly.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated along with four others after their names were given by someone else. Their room was searched and they were told if they did not admit to their sexuality, they would not be allowed to leave the office. They did not admit it, though some of their friends did and they were immediately discharged.
They left the Army after sixteen years of service choosing to PVR, as it became too difficult not to be themselves and having to hide who they were.
Non-LGBT personnel who still serves and served during the ban in the British Army. The individual describes a ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ culture and, when looking back, how shocking it was. Even after the lifting of the ban, behaviours took time to change.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army, where they were treated unfavourably due to their perceived sexuality, including physical abuse. During their time, their best friend was raped. The individual went after the suspect resulting in their arrest. After explaining why, the individual and their best friend were told to drop the case otherwise they would be put on trial for being lesbians. Their friend did not want to pursue the case any further and the suspect was freed. The individual was subsequently transferred.
During their new posting, they began a same-sex relationship, but were reported by a colleague and the individual returned to find their room being searched; photos, music and letters were kept as evidence. They were escorted off base and sent to see a psychiatrist, where they were told to take off all their clothes and examined. They were told how wrong same-sex relationships were. This resulted in their dishonourable discharge for ‘Services No Longer Required’. They were told if they appealed this, they would face a court martial and would be arrested. The individual soon began to suffer from alcohol abuse and mental health issues.
They were discharged days before they would be eligible for a pension, which still affects them. They found it difficult to find employment due to their discharge papers and undertook ‘cash in hand’ jobs. To this day, their family are unaware why they left the forces. They have never used the word ‘lesbian’ to describe themselves, and are unable to trust people nor let their guard down.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated over three days and subject to a room search. During this time, the individual was escorted around and placed under house arrest until the interviews and medical were completed. An anal examination was suggested but deemed unnecessary. They were placed on suicide watch for twenty-four hours. After a few months, they were escorted off base without a chance to say goodbye to colleagues.
They began to heavily drink and became isolated from those around them including family, friends and new work colleagues, and found it difficult to find stable employment. They say the process leading up to discharge felt completely degrading. To this day their family and close friends do not know the reason for the individual leaving the military because they still feel ashamed by what was done to them.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after their name was provided to the military police. They were asked intimate and personal questions. During this time, the individual’s room was searched and personal possessions taken.
After three months, they were dismissed from the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’. The individual detailed that they were only able to stay at their home for a couple of weeks due to the upset and stress their dismissal caused their parents.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. One morning, the RAF police searched the individual’s room on an unrelated matter. At this point, the individual admitted to their sexuality. With this new information, the police searched their room now looking for porn, letters and photos – some of which were taken away. A few weeks later, HR contacted the individual to confirm they had been immediately suspended. They were told they could appeal and receive psychiatric help, but that this was likely to be unsuccessful and they were asked to resign from the Armed Forces. They received a letter from MoD saying the individual must not call themselves an officer again nor have any further connections with the service.
The individual suffered Acute Shock leading to long-term PTSD and shame spiralling which is still being treated through therapy today. The trauma of their room being raided by the police never left them, and their self-confidence has never really recovered. They had years of dealing with significant loss of what might have been, and have since dealt with significant loss of self-esteem.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated where their room was searched, and letters and photos looked at to find any evidence to indicate the individual was gay; no evidence was found. They also experienced medical examination or treatment as the individual was sent to a psychiatrist for several interviews. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The nature of dismissal was due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality resulting in the individual being ‘outed’ by fellow colleagues. This resulted in the individual being investigated, leaving them feeling afraid and anxious. The individual was not ‘out’ to their family at this time so the threat of dismissal was very real; the individual denied the accusation and served the rest of their nine-year career to avoid dismissal. During this period, they forced themselves to have opposite-sex partners to deflect suspicion. They cut their military career short due to finding it harder to hide who they were. Their experience in the military led to mental health issues which are still around today.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1978 in the British Army. The individual was asked if they were having an unnatural relationship with a civilian, which they admitted to. They were demoted and moved away to a different posting with no actual work to do until they were subsequently discharged for ‘Services No Longer Required’. They have felt too much shame to disclose to their family or friends why they were discharged.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army and were not aware of their sexuality upon joining. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The nature of dismissal was due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel.
It became known to the individual that there was a list up in their accommodation with two columns; first column detailing the ‘slags’ (those who had slept with a soldier) and ‘lesbians’. Within their department, it was known many were likely to be ‘gay’, so most of the men tried to ‘turn’ them. This resulted in the individual being sexually assaulted. The individual describes the SIB’s ‘witch hunts’, causing them to always feel watched, and leading a double life in fear of being caught.
The impact of their departure was catastrophic, leaving the individual feeling vulnerable about losing their career, friends and accommodation. They felt worthless with self-hatred and shame, and put themselves in dangerous situations – they did not care if they lived or died. Social interactions involved heavy drinking, substance abuse, violence and abuse. The individual suffered from mental health issues and self-harm, and believed if they told people their sexuality they would be kicked out from various situations. They were unable to achieve job security or accommodation, and live in assisted housing. They have never had a loving relationship.
The individual did later join the TA and were told that they do not want people like them there and were told to leave.
The individual is still marked by the trauma of discharge and believes they always will be.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual was investigated with both locker and home being searched. They were held in the cells before being interviewed, subsequently let off. They lived in constant fear of being found out.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. During their time in the military, the individual could not be their true self, although they did receive some support from younger colleagues.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual received notification of service termination after a traumatic interview and investigation process. The individual was left unsupported and homeless, running up debts. There were negative impacts on the individual’s family relationships which to this day they still struggle with. This LGBT Veteran now works as a writer, journalist, and an activist on LGBT Veteran issues.
LGBT Veteran who served in the British Army and was discharged. They served in Northern Ireland and the individual and their partner were being investigated. The veteran describes it as a ‘witch hunt’ in which they were asked a number of extremely uncomfortable questions.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality from day one. This included being sexually assaulted resulting in a near breakdown and considering suicide.
The individual was investigated after attending a supposedly gay bar and being spotted by MoD police. This resulted in the individual being discharged immediately where they were put under arrest and transferred to a cell at a nearby barracks, with no help or counselling. On arrival home, they did not tell their parents the reason for their discharge. When unpacking their bags, the individual noticed personal and sentimental belongings were missing, including their grandfather’s cap badge which was replaced with a cheap replica.
Upon departure, the individual struggled to find employment and suffered with alcohol and substance abuse which remained with them to this day.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The nature of dismissal was due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel. The individual felt that they were forced to leave early due to the lack of support available, they came from a military family and background so it was an extremely difficult decision.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, although this was not from people they directly served with. The individual was investigated after an allegation was made against them, but the allegation was fake and the investigation dropped. They remained working within the Armed Forces both in regular and later joined the reserves where the individual was charged. It took several months until they were discharged, during which time they continued with their normal duties and experienced zero negativity from colleagues. Although the individual experienced difficulties upon leaving the military including mental health issues and subsistence abuse, they credit their experiences in the army, and the skills and mindset it gave them, for their successes in life post-military.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1974 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and had their medals or conduct badges removed. During their time in the military, the individual explains how friends who they knew to be gay would suddenly disappear, and how it would be difficult to provide support without implicating yourself.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 2000 in the British Army having joined straight from school. The individual was aware of their sexuality upon joining but was not aware of the ban being in place until training. They behaved in a way that was perceived-as-heterosexual, including getting into opposite-sex relationships to hide their true self. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. For example, during a time where the individual was the only woman in the mess, if they did not sleep with colleagues they were ridiculed for being ‘gay’, causing stress for the individual for fear of being found out. This caused the individual to sleep with opposite-sex individuals that they did not want to, causing shame and embarrassment. The individual describes the culture at the time of trying to identify gay personnel within the forces and colleagues were often forced into heterosexual relations to prove they were not gay. They felt unable to enter into substantive relationships as they put their military needs before their own.
The individual was also subject to ‘positive vetting’ and intrusive interviews where their sexuality (described as unnatural conduct) was questioned. Questions were graphic, humiliating, intimidating, frightening and deeply distressing. Due to the pressure, they confided their sexuality to their boss who was supportive and protective, and the individual remained in the military response. The individual suffered from an emotional breakdown, resulting in counselling and antidepressant prescriptions, due to the guilt of seeing colleagues kicked out of the military and remaining silent themselves, and the permanent threat of losing their job if found out.
Once the ban was lifted, the individual felt intense relief and ‘came out’ to their immediate boss. Although they could never prove it, the individual suspects their advancement during their time in the military was slowed due to not being married and suspicions they were gay.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1986 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. During their time, the individual became good friends with someone of the opposite-sex which they used to cover their sexuality. The nature of dismissal was due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel.
They were subject to an investigation into their sexuality. They had their partner in custody, got them to confess and forced the individual to corroborate the story, which they did. During the questioning, the individual was asked graphic and intimate questions. At the Court-Martial, they were facing seventeen charges of gross indecency with a possible sentence of thirty-four years. They were subsequently sent for a medical before going to civilian prison for six months. At the medical, the doctor gave the individual a digital penetration inspection and discussed the process of reversion therapy. If they were ‘cured’, there might not be the need for prison or dismissal. Upon their departure, the subject’s case was in the newspaper. Adjusting to military life was difficult for the individual. They lodged with family until they were able to find a rental, and they found it difficult to find employment due to their criminal conviction, resulting in financial hardship. Only a handful of people stayed in contact with the individual once they left the Armed Forces. They felt rejected and ostracised, alone with no one to turn to. The individual still feels the effects from the ban to this day.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army. They witnessed active hostility from officers to those suspected of being LGBT. They also recall junior ranks actively helping to protect those who were suspected. They recall they had little interest in the sexual preference of LGBT comrades. The only concern was whether the soldier did their job to the best of their ability and whether they were trustworthy.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. This included being investigated on multiple occasions, including going through their personal belongings with no rights explained and the use of deprivation of food and sleep to prize out evidence from the individual. This resulted in their dismissal from the Armed Forces where the individual suffered with alcohol abuse and mental health issues, and never saw themselves as a veteran.
LGBT Veteran who served in the British Army. The SIB who carried out a search of their room and belongings and the individual and their partner were sent to different locations. The individual states they were made to feel like a criminal and wished they were straight so they could be accepted. They chose to then leave the military which they later regretted.
The individual later tried to join the territorial army due to the Army informing them of the individual’s sexuality.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1978 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated and having to see various psychologists and psychiatrists which resulted in the individual being administratively discharged from the Armed Forces, regardless of their exemplary service record. They did not receive any support on their departure which led to mental health issues, including the continuation of hiding their sexuality.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the British Army. They were investigated, interrogated, and intimidated into disclosing their sexuality. This resulted in their being discharged from the Army. Following their discharge, they became homeless.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. After being caught during a sting operation by local police, they contacted the individual’s unit and the military police came to question the individual. That night, they were locked in the camp’s Guards’ room and moved to another unit the next day during investigation. During the investigation, the individual was asked to name any other homosexuals. The individual was then subject to a medical examination where the medic wanted to inspect their anus to see if they had anal sex, which the individual refused – there was talk between the medical staff and seniors on whether they could force the individual. They were subsequently dishonourably discharged from the Armed Forces. During their last day, the individual was treated badly, resulting in them having to go and see a doctor and get treatment for depression. The individual still suffers nightmares about this day.
Due to their dishonourable discharge, it was difficult for the individual to find other employment and housing, resulting in homelessness. They did not receive military support on their departure. They suffered with their mental health which included depression and attempted suicide.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and their sexuality was constantly questioned by colleagues as the individual was never seen in opposite-sex company. On one occasion, their colleagues paid for the individual to spend half an hour with a sex-worker of the opposite-sex. The individual was asked to go and see the Supply Officer who asked if there was anything the individual would like to admit to as the SIB were arriving to interview them about their personal life to which the individual responded ‘no’. They were told to go away for half an hour to have a think and return with an answer – again, this was ‘no’. When the SIB arrived, the individual was asked if they would like anyone present in the interview, to which a Welfare Officer was offered. Within ten minutes, the Welfare Officer left due to the upsetting questioning. The individual was subsequently dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
This has resulted in the individual feeling ashamed to be alive, with feelings of anxiety and depression which requires constant mental health support to this day. They lost a lot personally and felt abandoned by the military. They considered suicide.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individuals’ barracks were raided. They did not get dismissed or discharged, however their time in the military was difficult.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the RAF and the individual was unaware of their sexuality upon joining. During their first posting, the individual was interviewed for long periods of time and were asked inappropriate questions. Their colleagues were interviewed but did not confirm the individual’s sexuality which resulted in their continuation in the military. During a subsequent posting, whilst off duty the individual’s friend was brought in for questioning and later dismissed; the individual was brought in for questioning by association. This round of questioning included untrue accusations with crude and personal questioning. They were intimidating and very rude, and asked what they did in bed. At one stage, the individual had a torch shone in their face and was spat at. Photograph albums were taken which the individual never saw again – these were photographs of their life to date from joining up which can never be replaced. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality by colleagues and seniors, which included being spat on and verbally threatened. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces by association. They were then offered psychiatric treatment which the individual declined and had to sign a piece of paper to that effect. The individual left the military jobless and homeless, and although their father and brother were supportive, their mother disowned them. Their experience during and after their time in the military led to the individual feeling traumatised for a long time, including experiencing suicidal thoughts.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1970 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The nature of dismissal was through unofficial methods or actions.
Throughout their time in the military, the individual was aware they had to behave in a certain way to avoid suspicion. On one occasion, the individual was called into the office and asked directly if they were gay. The individual felt they could not deny it anymore and confessed. They were told to hand their stripes in immediately and that they shouldn’t be in charge of same-sex colleagues. They were sent to see a psychiatrist and asked personal questions, including if they wet the bed at a young age. After this, the individual had one week to hand in their uniform and to arrange their own way home. They felt very lost and unworthy. It was difficult for the individual to find alternative employment due to their discharge papers.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1986 in the British Army and were careful not to reveal their sexuality. They felt pressured to marry someone of the opposite-sex to fit in with their colleagues and fulfil a pastoral role. Ultimately, the individual decided to leave the military as they couldn’t face lying in their upcoming vetting interview.
LGBT Veteran who was directed to attend a psychiatric wing and questioned a number of times over a number of months in relation to their sexuality. The whole process made this individual feel scared, angry, upset and abandoned. They recall not being offered any form of representation nor advice during the investigations.
They were dismissed from the military, which the individual described feeling grief that they could not recover from. The situation forced the individual to come out to their family which was not received well, and relationships suffered because of this trauma as they struggled with trust.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the Royal Navy and was not aware of their sexuality upon joining. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after the individual disclosed to Family Services of their sexuality. They were also subject to medical examination or treatment. They were administratively discharged from the Armed Forces following a formal hearing. They express witnessing a hatred for homosexuality that was institutionalised and the fear of being discovered caused anxiety. Their mental health was gravely affected and they were on antidepressants. The pressure of leading a double life left them suicidal and with an alcohol dependency. On leaving service, they recall feeling suicidal, turning to alcohol and being financially ruined.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the British Army. They were interrogated by the SIB who searched their personal belongings and asked them to disclose identities of other LGBT people. They were discharged, and were unable to tell their family why. Following their discharge, they were homeless and unable to get a job or form stable relationships for a long time. They state that they lost all their self-confidence, becoming insecure, and that they can’t have relationships anymore.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual never admitted their sexuality and was extremely paranoid due to having to hide it. They would drive 100 miles to buy the ‘Gay Times’ so they were not spotted by someone they potentially knew. In order to dispose of it, they would go into the world and burn it rather than bury it. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The nature of dismissal was through unofficial methods or actions.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 2000 in the British Army. The individual loved the Army and the lifestyle but suffered from numerous bullying incidents including verbal abuse which was not dealt with by seniors. They were always extremely aware of being found out to be lesbian, and went to extremes to avoid suspicion, such as using certain deodorants etc. During a ‘witch hunt’, the individual was investigated and their room and belongings searched. Many of their friends were dismissed from the Army at this time.
They felt unable to be open with colleagues due to the fear of being found out, which the individual found difficult and led to them having heterosexual sexual relationships so as to avoid suspicion. This led to the individual considering suicide during their service. Although the individual has been successful in a civilian career, they wish they could have completed the 22 years in service, but regretfully they had to leave. The reason for leaving was after a colleague had gone in their room and they could not face the humiliation of dishonourable discharge if they were found out.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1970 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated when a colleague tried to kiss the individual which was seen by others. They had their living quarters and personal belongings searched which led to their administrative discharge from the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’. They said that the initial investigation was quite civilised, but it got worse as it progressed. Although nothing had happened, the individual admitted to their sexuality due to the constant questioning from the SIB. They were then sent under escort to see a psychiatrist and, although was told there was nothing wrong with them, they could no longer remain in the military. Knowing that their army career was over, and that they were not guilty of the accusation was difficult to deal with. It took them about five years to start their life again.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the British Army. They experienced both physical and verbal abuse, including by seniors, due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned where the individual was told that queers would not be welcome in the Army. They were forced to DOR (Discharge on Request) and left the Armed Forces.
Royal Navy Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000. When they joined the service, they were not aware of their sexuality. The witnessing of certain behaviours of senior service personnel, gossip and the constant threat of SIB investigations emphasised the individual’s need for camouflage. At one stage of their career, the individual started to come out to friends and family which led to them deciding to leave. Recently, the individual sought counselling and medication for depression which they believe they suffered whilst in service.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the British Army. Upon joining, the individual was not interested in their sexual orientation and did not explore this due to knowledge of ban. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was also aware it was better not to have photos of same-sex friends and family to avoid suspicion. They experienced a number of block raids where colleagues’ homosexuality was subsequently investigated. The individual entered heterosexual relationships to try and prove they were not gay. This resulted in a breakdown and a visit to a psychiatrist at an Army hospital where they were asked regularly about their sexuality. Their career, mental health and relationship with their son suffered.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1978 in the British Army. They were forced to undergo humiliating and degrading psychiatric and medical examinations following an accusation they were LGBT. They were also subject to bullying and harassment from colleagues. They were discharged early from the Army, six months before they would have been eligible for a pension.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality which included bullying, sexual harassment and excluded from social activities. They were interviewed and discharged from the Armed Forces after a partner had been investigated. Whilst the investigation was underway, they continued work but without access to weapons. After admitting to their sexuality, they were offered electric shock treatment which the individual declined. The relationship did not survive the investigations.
They felt ashamed of themselves and for being discharged for a same-sex relationship. It took them years of self-work to not be shamed by this and be able to openly speak about it. It impacted upon their physical and mental health and they suffered from a breakdown. They express taking their anger out on a loved one who did not deserve it, and being angry with a quick temper. This has significantly affected them and to this day they are still working with the trauma.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force, during which they were aware of a gender dichotomy. They felt uncomfortable in the bar atmosphere but, at the time, they were unsure why. They were able to suppress their feelings once qualified although there was ongoing pressure to marry, which the individual did. Whilst serving as a reservist, they transitioned whilst maintaining their career. During this time, the individual heard many comments which made them feel uncomfortable. Looking back, the individual realised they suffered with mental health issues.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including suspecting their superiors blocked a postgraduate masters degree and gave poor reviews of their performance due to their sexuality. The individual left the military because of their experiences.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. This included being investigated and they claim, receiving an ‘Agiles Warning’ after only eight months in Service and that this record would affect their career, making it unlikely they would receive any promotion. They detail being subjected to an intrusive investigation, which included the interception of private mail and being quizzed on who sent it (their younger sister). They recall people following them off-duty time. During the investigation, the individual recounts being told that gay people are not what the Army represents. Men on camp made their life a misery if they didn’t sleep with them. Colleagues were labelled a ‘bike’ if they went with too many of them and a ‘dyke’ if you didn’t.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the RAF and felt as though the military was their second family. During their time, the MoD police with a search warrant were searching the individual’s room for a large amount of money that had gone missing. During the search, the police found a letter from a guy they knew from a gay penfriend club. The individual was subsequently arrested and taken for questioning. They were suspended, confined to their room and had two intimidating and embarrassing interviews for the SIB – not once did the individual have legal representation or legal advice, although their commanding officer did sit with them throughout the questioning.
They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, with their friends no longer talking to them. They were then admitted to the Psychiatric Wing for approximately two months and had several talks with a number of service psychiatrists and were told to take a number of tablets. On their return, they were told to sleep in the medical centre before they were administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. At first this was stated as ‘dishonourable’’ on their discharge papers but, after the individual argued their service was impeccable, this was changed to ‘satisfactory’. After discharge, the individual was told they were a threat to the vulnerable young men. Their experience resulted in the individual feeling suicidal and struggling to come to terms with civilian life. To this date, the individual has financial hardship and has remained single since the 1990s.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1970 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced pressure due to their sexuality which resulted in the individual admitting their sexuality to their Commanding Officer. They were subject to a psychological investigation preceded by an aggressive SIB investigation due to SIB’s belief they admitted their sexuality due to pressure from an external agency. They requested legal representation which was denied. They were subsequently honourably discharged from the Armed Forces. On leaving the military, their family was supported and their future employment was not affected.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1979 and 2000 in the British Army. They did not witness people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality including verbal abuse from colleagues. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. Due to the fear of their sexuality being discovered, the individual made up heterosexual relationships to avoid suspicion. They did have a same-sex relationship where their partner was investigated and kicked out, but able to warn the individual who subsequently destroyed any evidence of their relationship. The individual noted they could never be themselves which had an effect on their mental wellbeing. They attempted suicide.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Navy and were unaware of their sexuality when joining. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, and the individual states they were watched on and off camp, and their belongings searched regularly. They were sent to psychiatrists which led to long interrogations and more searches. Interviews with the SIB would involve oppressive questioning, during which the individual was told they would be seen favourably if they provided names of others. They were subsequently dismissed from the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’. The individual found it difficult to adjust to civilian life and felt ashamed, a failure, and scared to be themselves.
Non-LGBT personnel who served during the ban in the Royal Navy. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including occasions of bullying and derogatory comments. The individual never understood the rationale of the ban and thought it unreasonable. They had friends reported and discharged which was traumatic for everyone. At one time, someone confided in the individual to which they chose not to report it.
The individual supports the change in culture and marines ability to fly a rainbow flag as an example.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, and found it hard to be themselves, having to be on guard and unable to engage in day-to-day conversations about relationships and social life.
They were subject to an investigation during which time they were demoted. They were shunned and made to feel like a disgrace. They were charged with ‘unnatural conduct’ and fraud due to claiming expenses to visit a same-sex partner – expenses were granted only to heterosexual couples. During this time, the individual became depressed and considered suicide. They were subsequently dismissed from the Armed Forces. The investigations lasted several hours over two days, with the individual having to be accompanied to the toilet. Their room and belongings were searched. The investigators visited their partner’s house outside the military and tried to gain access in order to search it.
On their dismissal, the individual struggled to settle and were left traumatised by their experience. It impacted their relationships, including their family, and caused difficulty in obtaining a mortgage. It took eight years for the individual to feel back-on-track and start a new career.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were administratively discharged and after the initial shock wore off they spent the subsequent six months being investigated. They felt embarrassed and ashamed while dreading having to tell friends and family. There was an overwhelming sense of fear and shock. This individual is still angry at the system and is still affected by the trauma they experienced as a result of their treatment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the British Army. They were aware of the homosexuality ban in place which caused the individual great distress as they experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, and were ostracised from their unit.
There were multiple occasions where the individual considered suicide. On one occasion, the individual was found and sent to a psychiatric ward where they were told they had psychotic tendencies; they returned to their unit after a week. The individual suffered with behavioural issues due to their suppressed sexuality and, after destroying an office, the OC decided the individual should leave immediately. They left the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. During their time, the ban was frequently talked about. They were unaware when joining that they were transgender and experiencing gender dysphoria. They describe the culture of fear around the ban, and the consequences of even being perceived-as-LGBT. Ultimately, they chose to cut their military career short due to this fear.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated and medical examination or treatment leading to dishonourable discharge. During the interviews, the individual did not receive any paperwork, offered any drinks or a break nor offered any legal advice. They were also asked to identify anyone else they knew to be gay, including in neighbouring camps.
The individual describes this as feeling like their world ended. Waiting for discharge, they were not allowed to carry on working so for three months until discharge, they had to sit in the guard room every day. This resulted in the individual feeling suicidal. On release, the individual went back to live with his mum whose partner did not agree with their sexuality. Their mental health deteriorated resulting in alcohol abuse and financial hardship as they struggled to find employment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned.
They were outed to the RAF police by the discovery of a lost wallet which contained information identifying them as a member at a gay night club and as a member of the gay social club. They were arrested and suspended after this. As part of the suspension process, the individual requested medical counselling.
Before their arrest, they were acutely aware of the gay ban and their requirement to hide that side of them to survive within the RAF. They had not been aware of their own homosexuality when they joined, this was a realisation that came to them later in their service.
They lost contact with friends and colleagues from their service and were publicly humiliated, and had media stories talking of their private life. They were led from the aircraft past all their crewmates – the end of the only career they had ever wanted. They had stress and trauma from the discharge and money worries. They were all factors that had contributed to a suicide attempt. Their therapist also believes that the discharge was the seed event which, combined with a string or other losses over the years, led to a period of substance abuse.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the Royal Marine Commandos. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual identifies as gay. It was extremely hard for the individual to express their true self.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were subject to an investigation after a platonic friendship was questioned. They had been followed at the weekend and surveillance photographs were taken. During the questioning and investigation, the individual was locked in a room for eight hours and had their room searched. The individual was assaulted by a SIB officer. They were not offered or provided legal representation. The individual says that they were scared, lonely, and troubled, and that all the processes that followed were degrading. While pending investigation, they say they felt suicidal in a cell. They felt bullied, threatened and alone.
They lost friendships and endured some truly disturbing times, and over the years they have felt guilty about all of this. They feel that they should be compensated for missing out on their chosen career. They suffered psychologically with years of torment and guilt, and hiding themselves from accepting who they really were for so many years. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. They became withdrawn on their departure from the Armed Forces and lied to their family the reason why they left.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. They were discharged from the Army because of their perceived sexuality, despite never having a same-sex relationship. Their testimony details were forced to see medical personnel and to take medication which would supposedly stop them being LGBT. Upon discharge, they struggled to adjust to the sudden re-entry into civilian life. Years later, they discovered in their medical records that the Army had recorded a suicide attempt before their discharge. They state that this did not take place. They believe that this was to obscure the discharge related to homosexuality, as this was around the time that the ban was changed by law.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1967 and 1994 in the British Army. They were involved in implementing and enforcing the ban. They feel we should not be looking backwards stating everyone knew the law at the time.
Non-LGBT personnel who served during the ban in the British Army. They worked alongside LGBT personnel and described them as good members of the team and popular with other soldiers. The individual felt that, with civilian homosexuality allowed, the military continuing the ban was unfair, and they were glad when it was lifted in 2000.
They believe that compensation and recognition is important and are not surprised at the lack of pace when acting on this issue by the government.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the British Army. They were arrested and interviewed. This caused them to be ashamed and be wary of disclosing they are LGBT, even after discharge.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. The individual was terrified to be outed, it had been drilled into them that they had to report homosexuality if witnessed. The individual lied to their best friends. They decided to leave the Royal Navy to pursue a long-term relationship but it still impacted their life. They felt unable to come out in their civilian role for almost eight years.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were subjected to multiple physical assaults and have been the victim of bullying and harassment which they say was organised by senior ranks.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force, during which time they lived in fear of being found out. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. During a room search for ‘missing stock’, they found ‘evidence’ of the individual’s sexuality. They were subsequently arrested and interviewed. During this period, they were sent to a medical centre for blood tests. They were discharged from the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’ where they lost their job, friends and housing. They found it hard to find other employment with no reference.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. This included having their house raided looking for information. They were investigated, followed to a gay bar, and interviewed on tape where the individual admitted their sexuality, resulting in them being removed from the military. The individual suffered from substance abuse due to mental health issues. They went from being a very outgoing and hardworking airman to being completely ashamed not only of themselves but also their employer. They felt violated when their house was searched and their confidence vanished. To this day they find it difficult to form relationships as they still see their sexuality as being wrong. They also fear judgement from their family so avoid visiting them.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1982 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality which included verbal abuse and, although the individual cannot prove this, looked over for promotion. On one occasion when the individual lived off base, their house was searched and assumed all occupants were homosexual. Their letters were searched and both were asked to name anyone else they knew to be homosexual. They were an instructor at the time and believe the military police ‘embed’ students into classes to monitor students and instructors. Due to an accusation, the individual was interrogated twice, which they describe as inhuman with multiple accusations and threats, including their colleagues being interviewed. Although no evidence was found, the individual was dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and had their medals or conduct badges removed. The reason for dismissal was told to colleagues and friends. The individual felt lonely, degraded and worthless and it took months for them to pick themselves up and start again. They received no advice.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1979 and 1987 in the Royal Army Medical Corps. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, but the individual found this service to be more tolerable of homosexuality. They were aware at senior level, administrative personnel from the combat medical technician branch seemed to be more homophobic. This individual witnessed multiple occasions of mistreatment of friends and colleagues, including one who was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The individual celebrated the lifting of the ban.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 2000 in the British Army and did not know they were gay until well into their career and decided to remain in the military. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and felt unable to mix their military life with their personal life and became withdrawn. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual was still in the military when the ban was lifted but kept their sexuality a secret, only coming out to friends and family once they left the Army.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after a letter they sent to a friend saying they had met somebody was found and used as evidence, even though their gender was not specified. They were arrested in front of colleagues and subjected to two days of interviews. The interviews included intimate and personal questioning, and their room was subsequently searched. They were discharged from the Armed Forces and left with ‘very little money, nowhere to live, no job.’ The individual felt they could not tell anyone about their discharge and became isolated. They stayed on the floor of friends’ houses whilst finding employment. They didn’t stay in touch with their military friends (straight or gay) as they were worried it would result in them getting investigated.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and felt as though their sexuality hindered promotions. Many of their friends were dishonourably discharged. The individual was subject to an investigation. They admitted their sexuality and were told if they were found again, they would be dishonourably discharged themselves. This affected the individual’s confidence and ability to be themselves, leading to the individual leaving the Army by choice. This still affects them to this day and they continue to hide their true self.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated which resulted in their Station Commander recommending the individual’s discharge, stating their actions were disgraceful and indecent. They were questioned and had their room and private residence searched. During their civilian home search, one of the individual’s tenants was questioned.
At this stage, the individual states they were threatened to be charged for stealing if they did not confess to their sexuality; this did not go any further. This happened again later where the individual confessed due to blackmail, but the case was dropped as their confession was given ‘under duress’ and the investigator was given a court martial. The individual also states they were forced to see an RAF Psychiatrist.
The individual opted to leave the RAF voluntarily.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1982 in the British Army. At the recruitment stage, the individual was asked if they were homosexual. The individual got the impression homosexuals were not wanted within the military, and from that moment and throughout their military service, they were very careful with what they did, where they went, who they shared their thoughts with and what they wrote in letters back home. They were not able to develop their sexuality. As a nurse, they were present during ECT sessions. They joined the Army at 16, and the MoD became their legal guardian. They feel that the MoD was negligent in its duty of care, and prevented them from developing into a healthy and functional adult. The pressure of concealing their sexuality led to depression and multiple suicide attempts. On talking to a military doctor stating they believed they were homosexual; the individual was told to put those thoughts out of their head. This only further isolated the individual leading to more attempts to end their own life. Eventually, they were medically discharged because of their depression but continued to struggle in civilian life due to the homophobic environment in the Army. Due to their experience, years of family relationship difficulties followed which continue to this day. They had issues adjusting to civilian life, including forming relations and maintaining employment and housing. They felt rejected, humiliated and worthless.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was asked if they had ever had a same-sex relationship which they admitted to. This resulted in the individual being charged, court martialled and subsequently dismissed from the Armed Forces. Their fellow colleagues were not concerned about their sexuality. During the investigation, the individual’s locker was searched and personal photographs removed. They were also subject to a medical examination which included an anal examination. On their departure, the individual was anxious about applying for employment which occurred up to retirement; they did not obtain employment for a year and suffered with financial hardship and lack of housing options. They also suffer from anger issues.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after feeling bullied to hand themselves in. Their room was searched with some items not being returned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces after being held for five months in the guard room. During this time, they were constantly asked to detail any other homosexuals they knew of and told they needed psychiatric help. Their friend got in touch with the Sun Newspaper and threatened the CO to let the individual go or else. They were then released but turned to alcohol and drank heavily for many years due to the trauma they experienced. They suffered from PTSD and took antidepressants.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality
The individual was unaware of the ban when joining and was already in a same-sex relationship when they found out. They never talked about home or why they were never around at weekends. They suffered an enormous amount of pressure to keep it hidden.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The individual was subject to intrusive medical examination and being marched off ship in front of the entire company. Experiences were humiliating and the impacts were lasting. It led to the individual’s family disowning them. The individual struggled with alcohol, depression and anxiety which now impacts their current physical health.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They were subject to investigation and oppressive and inappropriate interrogation by SIB officers. They were made to use the toilet in the presence of officers. This experience caused anxiety, sleep deprivation, and a significant lack of confidence. Upon leaving the Army and entering the Police service, they felt unable to disclose their sexuality with their colleagues or their parents.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1991 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. The individual did not pass initial training as they were repeatedly told that being gay was incompatible with service.
Due to the constant pressure, the individual voluntarily left before they would have been forced to. On leaving, they became homeless and unemployed. They believe they had mental health issues which took them about a couple of years to recover from. The individual did re-join the military in the TA.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned after the person they were seeing reported them. This resulted in the individual being dishonourably discharged from the Armed Forces, and the individual became homeless and jobless.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 1998 in the British Army. They were overheard discussing a same-sex partner and reported to training staff. They did not hide their sexuality and were discharged without an investigation. They experienced anxiety and depression following their discharge. They re-joined after the ban was lifted, however, they still experienced homophobia during this Service.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were investigated, disciplined, and discharged. They suffered a breakdown of mental and physical health requiring admission to a clinic. Before admission to the clinic they had been placed on anti-depressants following a deeply traumatic and humiliating posting where they were accused of being gay. They were suffering from depression, loss of confidence, social isolation and living in fear for their professional and RAF career prospects. They also felt that ill health, low self-worth, humiliation and rejection have been the hallmark of their life. They totally relied on the financial support of their family after their discharge. The despair and the shame destroyed them for many years and they felt totally hunted and haunted but continued to fight their corner right up until their discharge.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1974 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated by the SIB where the individual’s personal items were searched. Due to the intensity of the investigation, the individual admitted they were gay. They subsequently underwent medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces after the investigation for ‘Services No Longer Required’; this affected the individual’s ability to find another job. They were not offered any support or anyone to turn to for advice.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, so they entered into heterosexual relationships to avoid suspicion. They moved off base to try and conceal their true identity. After an accusation was made to their CO, the SIB drove the individual to their private house for a thorough search. After a letter was found, they were arrested. Their landlord at the time told the individual they had to leave following this incident due to the shame they had brought. During their interview, the individual describes not being allowed to leave until they provided explicit sexual detail of relations. The following week, they were told to leave the military under ‘Services No Longer Required’. They did not receive any support on their exit, and became homeless, sleeping rough their first night until friends helped them.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1967 and 1986 in the British Army. They did not witness people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This individual does not believe that LGBT Veterans should be celebrated any more or any less than any other group. They do not welcome LGBT views being thrown at them.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and had to be careful with their relationships and friendships in case there was a SIB informer pretending to be gay. They were subject to an investigation, including medical examination or treatment, and the individual describes the interrogation as civilised but humiliating. Their room was also searched and private letters taken and read by the SIB. During an interrogation, the individual admitted under duress they were in a relationship with same-sex colleague, (knowing this relationship was detailed in their letters) which resulted in both being discharged. Both the individual’s Warrant Officer and Flt.Lt. fought to allow them to stay, however this had no effect. Their pending charge had no effect on their day-to-day job as their colleagues were also supportive.
The individual suffered stress about where they were going to live and about finding another career. Their family were very supportive and they are still in touch with a friend who was also discharged. They were able to find employment with ease as the only thing recorded in their red book was ‘Services No Longer Required’, although they did have financial hardship in the first few years. In addition, the individual remains in a relationship with the original WRAC colleague.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. Due to their experience in the military, this resulted in anxiety and shame which affected their performance, resulting in their discharge from the Armed Forces. This left the individual feeling broken.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1993 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. The individual started a relationship with a colleague while both serving. They continued the relationship while deployed in France and in the Gulf. They numbed the loneliness of not being able to contact their partner with alcohol. The ban caused a breakdown in professional performance.
Non-LGBT personnel who served during the ban in the Royal Air Force. The individual was severely sexually assaulted by colleagues which impacted them and still impacts them to this day. The stigma of homosexuality at the time prevented the individual from reporting the crime. They believe that LGBT Veterans should be treated as equals rather than a special group. They are currently a Reservist and state that much has changed but there is still a long way to go.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1974 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated where the individual was subject to intrusive questioning, being followed and the searching of personal belongings which lead to a court martial. They were then dismissed from the Armed Forces where the individual subsequently lost their home, relationship and suffered financial hardship since the Navy would not provide a reference.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1974 in the British Army, and had only just discovered their sexuality when they joined. They were subject to a SIB investigation which was made known in the barracks, resulting in the individual getting attacked by their colleagues a day before Christmas which caused lasting dental issues. They were given a court martial twice for ‘gross indecency’, the second resulting in 112 in custody and dishonourably discharged from the military. The individual appealed this decision with the support of their family and family barrister. The first appeal failed. Due to medical reasons, the individual was cleared medically unfit to serve their sentence and therefore served it in the Guard Room. The second appeal to the Army Council was successful and returned. Subsequently, the individual purchased their discharge which the Army refused as the individual was still declared medically unfit. They were sent to their mother on three months paid leave. Their experience with the SIB destroyed their mental wellbeing, including a lack of confidence and the individual turning to alcohol abuse. They turned to religion to heal their sexuality with attempts to enter heterosexual relationships.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1990 in the British Army. They had begun the process of leaving the Army voluntarily in order to seek medical support for gender dysphoria unavailable while in Service. However, they were involved in a traffic accident investigated by SIB who began to suspect they were LGBT. They were investigated, interrogated, and threatened with Court Martial. Their private home and belongings off base were searched. They were discharged under ‘Services No Longer Required’. The nature of this discharge meant they had to disclose it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and this prevented them from gaining employment for some time.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the British Army, during which time they lived in fear and remained on high alert in case their sexuality was discovered. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. It was written on their personal record that they needed supervising due to being a ‘tomboy’.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the British Army. They witnessed unfavourable treatment towards homosexuals, although nothing was aimed at them personally. This included witnessing higher ranked individuals boasting about finding gays and having them kicked out within days. This caused the individual to hide their true self at work which, looking back, affected them reaching their full potential in the Armed Forces.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the British Army. This included being investigated after drunkenly admitting their sexuality to a colleague. They were interviewed and, whilst this was happening, their room was searched without their presence. The questioning was described as very intrusive and intimate, which led to the individual’s admittance to their sexuality. They were subsequently sent for a medical examination with a psychiatrist. They were asked if they could promise not to be with a same-sex individual again, to which the individual denied. They were then told they were sick and needed help. They were discharged from the Armed Forces. They found it difficult to find employment due to their MoD record and suffered emotionally for some time.
LGBT Veteran served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They continued to serve after the ban was lifted in 2000 but left as they felt it was still considered unacceptable to be gay in the military and they were not ready to deal with the repercussions.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. Due to the ban, they kept their sexuality hidden and felt they could not be their true self. Even though the ban was lifted in 2000, the culture was still homophobic which led to the individual leaving the military.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, after they had been followed for some time, where the individual was shown photographs from a nightclub (they were not present in the photos) and asked what sexual activities they participated in – the individual denied all accusations and at no point were they read their rights or offered legal representation. Their partner at the time was also interviewed and told the individual had confessed to everything, which left the individual with no choice but to now confess themselves. They were subsequently dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. They were advised to have a medical examination which they declined. They were also offered a psychiatric evaluation where the report stated cheerfully coping.
The biggest impact on the individual was their mental health. The military was all they had ever known and was lost overnight; they still miss the military to this day. They faced financial difficulty and had to sell their house.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1986 in the British Army, during which time the individual kept their sexuality hidden but lived in fear of getting close to anyone. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated and subsequently dismissed from the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’.
During the investigation, the SIB visited the individual’s private home to search it for evidence of homosexuality, after which they were subject to intense questioning. The individual describes the officers remaining professional during the investigation. During this time, the individual felt suicidal which remained for many years. A few days later, they were released back to their private home and required to sign in once a week until the discharge was finalised; their discharge papers described the individual’s service as exemplary. On leaving the military, the individual had to put their house back on the market. Their family were not aware of their sexuality at the time and found it traumatic to disclose it to them. Their departure affected their mental health and confidence, and finding work proved difficult.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1974 in the British Army. They were investigated, questioned, and dishonourably discharged because of their sexuality. Their parents had contacted the Army and informed them of their sexuality. Before they were discharged, they were offered an ultimatum of either undergoing electric shock conversion therapy, or being discharged. They struggled with employment and family relationships after discharge.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included medical examination or treatment. The individual was dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. They are still affected today and feel that the service and veteran community is still homophobic. The individual attempted suicide and there is the recurring feeling that their early years were wasted.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Navy. After they broke their leg in service, they were retired on medical grounds. The individual was upset at the sudden loss of career so they joined the Territorial Army and entered the Cadet Training Team. During this time, they were diagnosed with ‘hermaphroditism’ i.e. intersex, which required surgery. The surgeon (ex-Royal Navy) explained that the individual’s condition was not compatible with service life and had already agreed with their command line that the individual could resign with no questions asked, which the individual did. This led to their parents disowning them, difficulty in holding down a job and their experience has troubled the individual ever since.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality during their time in service. They were investigated, interrogated at length and charged with offences under the Army Act 1966 for ‘disgraceful conduct of an indecent or unnatural kind’. They spent the rest of their time in service terrified of living as their true self. They felt ashamed of who they were and unable to enter into relationships.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. Their sister was dismissed and told if they didn’t sign the paperwork to leave, the individual would be next. Their sister signed the document to protect the individual. The individual at this stage knew the military knew about their sexuality and became highly anxious and terrified. The culture at the time was colleagues making inappropriate and hateful comments towards gay women. Their sister’s dismissal affected the individual’s relationship with them, and made them feel guilty they themselves didn’t get caused or dismissed. Due to their sister’s mental health issues, this in turn affected the individual’s, causing depression. It affected the individual’s relationships, finances and employment due to being the sole support function for their sister.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. The individual was quickly investigated and marched off base. They became withdrawn, turned to drinking most days and spent time on the streets. The individual still suffers from poor mental health that stems from the experience.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1983 and 2000 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were involved in implementing and enforcing the ban, including when they were asked to examine a soldier for a ‘gay test’. The individual felt uncomfortable and had no training in this area which they thought to be unfair. The individual declared the soldier as gay and they left the Army that day.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the Royal Navy and was not aware of their sexuality upon joining. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and had been warned never to display any emotions in a public setting. They were investigated after attending a party at a friend’s private residence where they had been followed – they denied their sexuality during their interview. Having to hide their sexuality was the driving force in the individual’s decision to leave; their boss urged them to stay but they could not lie anymore.
The individual states they have spent the rest of their adult life feeling paranoid about being gay and have always found it hard to open up to others.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. They had an intoxicated sexual encounter with a friend. Confessed to the priest who advised reporting the matter to the RAF police.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1999 and 2000 in the British Army and, upon joining, were not sure of their sexuality. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and it was made clear LGBT personnel were not welcome, both before and after the ban was lifted. This led to the individual leaving the military prematurely. Soon after their departure, their unit did several deployments which resulted in the death of several colleagues.
During their time in the military, they hid their sexuality, resulting in the individual never exploring or developing their true identity. This caused them to become homophobic and experience self-hatred. Today, the individual continues to struggle with depression, suicidal thoughts, survivors’ guilt (from not going on the deployments) and alcohol abuse.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. They detail their experience of being held back from promotion, even when recommended for it, due to a signed an agreement that they had homosexual tendencies but would not act on them.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed with disgrace after being investigated. As part of the investigation the individual was posted to different units where COs were particularly hostile. The investigation took around six months and they were embarrassed, struggling to form future meaningful relationships.
LGBT Veteran who served for 22 years in the British Army, where they describe that service was an absolute torture at times. They experienced unfavourable treatment, and had their personal mail intercepted and opened. When the individual became aware of this and complained, their complaints were taken seriously. They experienced sexual harassment which, when challenged, they were punished for and posted for being disruptive.
The individual details the constant stress of having to hide who they were, and therefore entered into a heterosexual marriage. When they were offered a promotion, they turned it down due to fear of increased bullying from peers and subsequently left the Armed Forces. To this day, the individual feels they still need to hide who they are.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual felt ashamed for hiding for so long.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1978 in the Royal Navy after joining at 15 years old. The individual struggled with identity issues. They experienced unfavourable treatment, including homophobia, due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This resulted in the individual suffering from severe depression, going AWOL on several occasions and ultimately attempting suicide. This led to them declaring their confusion about their sexuality to naval psychiatrists; they were subsequently dismissed from service due to an ‘irremediable degree of temperamental unsuitability’. They received no support during and after their departure from the military which had an impact on their mental wellbeing.
Non-LGBT personnel who served in the British Army. They were interviewed by military police after being named by another person under investigation for being LGBT.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1994 in the Royal Navy and was aware of their sexuality upon joining. Due to the fear of being found out, the individual started heterosexual relationships to blend in – they chose to live a lie to enjoy the career they wanted. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. On one occasion, there was a major operation to ‘round-up’ known or suspected homosexuals who were then arrested or dismissed. Furthermore, all were instructed to report to seniors if anyone approached them and declared themselves as gay. This caused the individual to further hide their sexuality. Later on, in their career and gaining confidence to come out, the individual found themselves interviewed by the SIB. Later the individual found they were being followed for some time and, when the individual went to pick up some personal post, they were followed and read their rights; the individual was not given a reason for arrest at the time. They were then held in a room where fellow colleagues would come and watch over the individual and instructed not to speak to them. After their arrest, they were interrogated by the SIB and sent to a temporary location whilst investigations were conducted; it soon became clear the individual was part of the ‘round-up’ mentioned earlier. They did not have communications with anyone and were not kept up-to-date with proceedings. Many people distanced themselves from the individual. During this time, the individual felt a deep feeling of shame and embarrassment, and ashamed they hid their sexuality to be part of the military. The individual offered to resign their commission but, due to a relationship with a junior and their name potentially being in the newspaper, they were administratively discharged from the Armed Forces eight months later. They were also told that they would no longer be entitled to wear their uniform or use their rank, and their name was erased from the Navy List. Due to the pending newspaper article, the individual felt pressured to come out to their family. They fell on financial hardship due to initial difficulty in finding work.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being sent to a psychiatrist who was verbally abusive. The individual was traumatised by what had happened. They were diagnosed with anorexia being unable to eat or sleep. The individual didn’t contact family for three years due to the shame they felt they had brought on.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They concealed their sexuality, and those they confided in advised them to continue doing so. They were reported to military police which resulted in an investigation. They eventually disclosed their sexuality to a senior officer. They were subsequently administratively discharged. They went on to participate in a documentary about their experiences and win a financial settlement from the Ministry of Defence. Their abrupt discharge had resulted in long-term difficulties with their finances and employment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the British Army and planned a full career in the military. Due to the ongoing fear and stress of being found out and unable to live their life freely and happily, the individual resigned their commission after four years of service.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, and describe the homophobic culture worsening when the HIV and AIDS epidemic started. Although the individual enjoyed their time in service, they felt they had to leave for fear of being found out.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1979 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They feel sorry for members of the LQBT community who served our country in the forces only to be thrown out. They say these people deserved so much better. They say that they were interrogated by military police because they had socialised and shared a hotel room with someone who was suspected of being LGBT. The fear of being interrogated again lasted throughout their military career.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1991 and 2000 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. On one occasion, a young soldier was kept isolated with separate accommodation whilst awaiting their discharge. They didn’t care about others’ sexuality if they did their job.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after a friendship with another colleague was questioned. They were administratively discharged from the Armed Forces after handing themselves in.
During their service, the individual engaged in heterosexual relations to avoid suspicion, which they describe as allowing themselves to be raped to keep the secret. On departure, they lost friendships as colleagues did not want to be accused by association. Their mental health has been an issue since their time in the military, and they are unable to show any public signs of affection. To this day, their family are not aware of the reason they left.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1975 and 2000 in the British Army. They did not witness people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, but at the time it was acceptable. Colleagues were hounded as they were seen as potential for blackmail.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1997 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. After admitting that they were gay, medical confidentiality was broken by someone in power, who reported them to the chain of command. They were later administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
This led to financial ruin and they were forced to sell their house. It took many years to rebuild any financial stability as they had gone into significant debt. They also had significant mental health issues including depression, which culminated in a nervous break-down shortly after being discharged. Being discharged precipitated having to come out to the rest of the people in their life. Some took it well, others dropped them for fear of being guilty by association.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the Royal Navy. The individual always wanted to join the military but felt as though they had to live a double life due to their sexual confusion, putting up a façade to fit in. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual ended up having a breakdown and admitted their sexual confusion to a doctor who sent them for a psychiatric evaluation for 50 days where doctors stated they would be able to ‘cure’ them, although this does not appear on the individual’s medical records. The records did mention the individual was ‘severely temperamentally unsuitable for service life’. The individual considered suicide many times. They were subsequently discharged from the Navy, were not allowed to talk to anyone and were treated like a criminal, as though they had done something wrong.
After being discharged, the individual suffered both physically and mentally. The Navy did not provide any assistance upon their departure, leaving the individual to feel isolated. Without reference from the military, they were unable to secure work and suffered from alcohol abuse.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1970 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. After being found with another same-sex colleague after a ‘bed check’, they lost their status and were sent to see a psychiatrist. They were subsequently dishonourably discharged from the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’ and had their medals or conduct badges removed. They describe their experience as the bleakest time of their life, having lost their accommodation, friends, income and support of their family. They suffered from depression and continue to take antidepressants to this day.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the British Army. This individual was brutally investigated and this mentally impacted them. They were well respected until their colleagues found out they were gay. To this day they suffer with anxiety and depression. They found the whole ordeal embarrassing, humiliating and an invasion of their privacy and dignity. They have had difficulties with their mental health throughout their life due to the treatment they received in the military. To this day, they wonder how they would have progressed had things been equal and fair.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and had their medals or conduct badges removed. The individual feels they were deliberately held back from promotion. The individual was not subject to an investigation but was told to leave and was marched off the camp like a criminal. During this time, the individual contemplated taking their own life. They were also offered ‘treatment’ which included conversion therapy. They have suffered from mental health problems ever since.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force and won numerous awards. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was due a promotion and a move overseas and, due to the strain it would have on their relationship, the individual admitted their sexuality to a medical officer; they were escorted off base pending investigation within hours. The individual and their partner (a civilian) were both then interviewed by the military police and were asked to describe the gay bars they attended, what they did in bed, any gay media they used etc. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces for ‘circumstances out with his control’ – this was done quietly to ‘avoid embarrassing the RAF’. The station medical officer feared the individual might take their own life, and a short time after being discharged they collapsed in public and ended up in A&E due to stress. The individual’s earnings, promotion prospects and pension pot were also affected. They lied to family, friends and future employers about the reason for their sudden departure.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were made to feel like a criminal due to their gender issues. Due to being found in a car in ‘drag’ by the police, then informed MOD, the individual was investigated and subject to a formal interview which was tape recorded. At the end of the interview, the individual asked for a copy which was denied. The individual was not charged.
The individual was then sent to the psychiatric department to undergo group therapy, but was told not to talk about their gender issues. This resulted in their discharge from the Armed Forces four months later. It took five years for the individual to find work again.
Upon discharge, the individual suffered financial hardship, slept in a B&B and received support from local working girls – neither their local GP nor the local authority provided support. They did not enter into a relationship until over a decade after leaving the military.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the Royal Navy having always wanted a military career, and felt incredibly proud to be part of our Armed Forces. They were unaware of their sexuality at the time. One day, the SIB turned up without warning and arrested the individual. They were led immediately to a holding cell and were not offered support nor representation. They were kept in the cell for a few hours before the SIB interviewed them. They asked the individual if they had any homosexual tendencies and detailed that the individual had frequented queer clubs. The SIB stated they would have more questions the next day so the individual was kept in their cell overnight without food or water. The next day, they presented a document for the individual to sign to confirm they were queer; the individual refused to sign. On the third day, the individual still had not been given any food and was interviewed again. The SIB produced a letter the individual had sent with ‘I Love You’ written on it; the individual did not remember writing these. The SIB then asked if the individual had relations with his own brother – this was the breaking point for the individual who then agreed to sign the document under distress. The following morning, they were taken to the Captain’s table and told they were to be court marshalled for indecent behaviour with a same-sex person. This was based on the letter. The individual did not have any representation and they were dismissed with immediate effect. They were escorted back to their room to collect their belongings and then handed a one-way train ticket home and left at the gates.
They found refuge with others who were recently dismissed and felt able to discuss their experiences together and support one another. Their health deteriorated and they suffered financial hardship, finding it difficult to find a job. This was because they lied saying it was their choice to leave the military to avoid admitting it was due to their sexuality, but it was clear from their records they were dismissed. After three months, the individual called their family and told them why they left the military, to which they were supportive and invited them back home. The individual continues to miss the military daily.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force, during which the individual describes not being able to be themselves. They hid a relationship with another LGBT Service member and lived in fear of discovery. They were summoned and interrogated during a SIB investigation into another LGBT Service member. During the investigation, the individual was asked personal and intimate questions.
They voluntarily left the RAF to protect themselves and their partner who was still serving. The need to hide their relationship while serving means they still struggle now to show affection in public.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The ban caused the individual to be always on their guard, especially around their colleagues, and they actively avoided any conversations on sex and sexuality to avoid suspicion. The individual was also investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. The individual admitted to a RAF doctor of them being Trans after the guidelines were linked to the Sex Discrimination Act and they could no longer be discharged. This information was told to multiple senior colleagues which resulted in the individual experiencing unfavourable treatment due to their perceived sexuality; it was assumed if you were Trans you had to be gay. This resulted in the individual having to move camps where they were treated with suspicion and discrimination. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and undergoing medical examinations which were part of the Trans process.
The individual was allowed to serve the rest of their contract but, despite the highest possible recommendations, were never promoted.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality including homophobic slurs by colleagues. The individual felt pressured to enter into relationships to cover their true sexuality. The individual was subject to an investigation without a witness or a representative. The experiences from the military affected the individual in their personal life including ongoing relationships.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were investigated by the SIB and chose to leave service, ending what they considered would have been a great career.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. After being reported by their partner’s mother, the individual was arrested in front of colleagues and interrogated. After several hours of questioning, the individual confessed their sexuality and subsequently discharged for ‘Services No Longer Required’. They went to see a psychiatrist regarding their mental state.
Their relationship with their family became strained for several years and they suffered with financial difficulties.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated twice, one interview lasting two hours, the other six without any breaks.
They were reported by another LGBT Service member who was being investigated themselves. This veteran was then intrusively investigated twice. They were not discharged as a result of either investigation, but developed an alcohol addiction and anxiety as a result and voluntarily resigned due to the stress. The individual at one point felt suicidal. They later requested to reverse their resignation but this was refused.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the RAF. The individual was subject to a two-year investigation after a ‘Gay Times’ was found in their room. The individual was subject to threats, regular room searches, social isolation, being followed and having their phone conversation recordings; the individual was unable to be promoted. On one occasion, a sergeant pinned the individual to the floor with their hands around the individual’s throat demanding to know if it (their sexuality) was true.
During the investigation, the individual had a court martial and was sentenced to six months in prison and dishonourable discharge. This was reverted to honourable discharge after appeal, however the individual’s criminal record remained of gross indecency which had to be declared in interviews. They spent four months in prison and one-month in solitary – they were beaten up once during this time. The individual was able to keep their medals.
Upon discharge from the RAF, the individual did not have any support. This has resulted in the individual feeling angry and a hatred towards others and a suspicion of authority figures’ motivations.
LGBT Veteran who served in the British Army and was constantly in fear around the inability to be honest about same-sex relationships and regularly made up cover stories. The individual was investigated after the OC heard a rumour about the individual’s sexuality which led to their room being searched; this caused feelings of humiliation and shame. The individual wasn’t dismissed initially but was arrested two years later by the RMP after a report had been made; they were arrested for ‘unnatural behaviour’. After several weeks, they were told by the RMP the investigation had ended and possessions were eventually returned.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The individual still suffers with mental health problems, they have struggled with employment and is currently on Universal Credit.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment.
The individual was made to march everywhere during the time they were being questioned, making them stand out. They were shouted at several times in interviews and felt intimidated, and were not given their rights. They were held in a porta cabin for eight hours at a time, not under arrest but not free to leave. Their room was searched numerous times across several different postings, where personal effects were taken and never returned. They were made to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. They bought themselves out and felt like they were constructively dismissed and hounded out of the army, a job they loved doing. They went on lacking confidence and then pretended they were straight as they felt ashamed. They entered a heterosexual marriage that didn’t last. It took years for them to feel themselves.
Non-LGBT personnel who served in the British Army from 1983 – 2000. The individual served in the Royal Military Police (SIB). The service directions were followed by the Army Chain of Command, however, the individual highlights the difference in the treatment of LGBT and perceived-as-LGBT personnel. They also recall the difference in processing, for example, females administratively discharged and males more likely to be prosecuted. To the individuals knowledge, the active pursuit of LGBT individuals was not witnessed and believes this is a misconception, and those subject to investigation were afforded their rights. The individual states that it must be recognised that LGBT and non-LGBT service personnel were, in some cases, the victims of sexual offences perpetrated by LGBT service personnel.
At the time, the individual did not agree with the ban.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their perceived sexuality upon joining. They recall being bullied and beaten up from the start and told to leave as they weren’t man enough to serve, and that their life was made hell. Following the development of a relationship with another Navy serviceman, they investigated where they described the experience to have been disgusting, hurtful and humiliating.
They recall attempting to confide in a chaplain who warned them that if they admitted anything that was against military law they would have to report it to seniors.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 2000 in the British Army. During their Service, they feared that it would be discovered that they were LGBT, particularly when they entered into a relationship. There was an occasion whereby a senior officer could have reported them and initiated an investigation, but chose not to do so.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They lived with the constant pressure to hide the fact they were LGBT. They felt they were living a life of forced celibacy. They subsequently began to socialise in LGBT spaces, which they knew was a risk. They were then warned that this had been noticed. After this, they were informed of a potential long-term overseas deployment which would have forced them back into celibacy and hiding their sexuality. They had also begun to form a relationship. In the end, they chose to apply for redundancy, which was accepted. Ultimately, they would far rather not have had to give up their career simply because of who they loved. They did not suffer any financial penalty because they received a partial pension and severance. However, they still felt bitter for a long time despite their clean exit from the Navy. They have always mourned the loss of a career that could have led to greater things, both for them and for the Royal Navy.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced blatant and widespread misogyny and homophobia. Which included humiliation and a physical assault which caused a permanently damaging injury. They were discharged following a complaint of ‘unnatural conduct’ which had no evidential basis. After being informed of their discharge, they had to sleep in their car until their unit was posted as they were not allowed back on base to collect their belongings. Following discharge, they were homeless and estranged from their family. They have also struggled with their mental health, specifically PTSD and suicidal ideation. They also received no ongoing support from the Army for the physical injury they sustained in Service from an assault.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1970 in the British Army. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were discharged from the Armed Forces. The individual experienced humiliation in front of colleagues and friends. The individual recalls being frightened and verbally abused during investigations. After discharge they had nowhere to go and to this day are still emotionally affected by the events that took place.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1978 in the Royal Air Force. The individual describes having intense cognitive dissonance as confirming their sexuality either way would affect their continuation in the armed forces. Their CO and some colleagues knew about their sexuality and were content about it as long as the job was done. However, the individual experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and, even from basic training, was aware of homophobic language and suffered from emotional abuse. The individual accepted this ‘banter’ to avoid attention. During their time in the military, the individual suffered from mental health issues including anxiety, stress and depression. They were investigated, cautioned or warned which led to their dismissal or administrative discharge from the Armed Forces and their ‘services were no longer required’. This caused the loss of friends and comrades. They were told to inform their parents why they had left as they would be told anyway. The individual suffered with thoughts of suicide and felt embarrassed, shame and guilt.
During their investigation, the individual was placed in a cell for more than two hours in intrusive interrogation without representation where the individual admitted to their sexuality. They had accompanied a friend to the medical centre which was brought up in questioning, showing that any contact with any medical professional would be flagged. Their room was searched and personal letters read but not returned. They were also questioned about anyone else they knew to be homosexual, either by having sex with them or having been hit on by them.
On their departure, the individual was unemployed for a year to avoid anyone finding out why they were dismissed, although it transpires that their reference was exemplary with no mention on why they were discharged.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were interviewed numerous times relating to their sexuality. The interviews would last between two to ten hours with intimate questioning, and was not allowed food, water nor a toilet break during this time. They were subjected to multiple room searches. On one occasion, the individual’s photo with their late (same-sex) sibling was confiscated on suspicion it was a partner; the photo did not get returned to the individual and it was the only photo the individual had with their sister.
They were told to see a psychiatrist as they were not ‘normal’ and threatened with internal examinations to see how sexually active the individual was. They were assaulted, including sexually, by colleagues on a number of occasions who said the individual needed a ‘good seeing to’ and tied them to a fence for hours overnight. When the individual reported this, the response was if they were not queer this probably wouldn’t have happened. A senior would ask the individual daily about their sexuality, saying if they admitted they were gay they could leave the military without a bad record. At the time, they took the individual off normal duties due to being a ‘security risk’. Some of the individual’s friends who were also gay distanced themselves to avoid suspicion. After the assaults, the individual wrote a letter confirming their sexuality and left the military. They became homeless for eight months and felt unable to tell their family why they left the military. They were unable to get jobs due to the Army’s reference in their red book of ‘Services No Longer Required’. They still suffer from financial hardship. The ban has also affected the individual’s ability to hold down relationships, unable to trust others and still suffers with mental health issues, including depression and the individual trying to take their own life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 2000 in the British Army.
Non-LGBT personnel who served in the Royal Navy during the ban. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was horrified at the actions against LGBT colleagues and felt it unjust and discriminatory.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the Royal Navy after joining for a career, comradeship and belonging. At the time, the individual was not aware of their sexuality and cannot remember being asked or informed about the ban on homosexuality within the military. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. There were rules (or perhaps only myths) in place within living quarters. They soon began to realise their own sexuality but, due to hearing stories of others being dishonourably discharged due to same-sex relationships, the individual kept quiet. This resulted in the individual becoming depressed, anxious and suffering from panic attacks. The individual decided to leave by entering a heterosexual marriage; their partner was unaware of their sexuality. The individual, now divorced, still suffers from the feat, PTSD and depression.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and subsequently administratively discharged. This included an intrusive investigation where personal items were taken for inspection and never returned. The individual was then subjected to medical examination or treatment. Once leaving the military, the individual was left homeless, without a job and did not receive support for the military. The individual still suffers mentally and financially to this day and felt unable to tell their family the true reason for their discharge.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the British Army and were overlooked for promotion. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, such as verbal abuse, and felt as though they were being constantly watched. This included being investigated. To avoid scrutiny and suspicion, the individual destroyed personal correspondence from their family. The individual left the service due to the constant sense of having to look over their shoulder and the lack of career progression. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The nature of dismissal was due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual was often bullied on deployment. They also experienced poorly written appraisals, were investigated and also had promotion delayed until last year of 11 years’ service. Although investigated, the individual describes their commanding officer to be more progressive and did not want to lose them. The individual completed their 22 years and gained a BSc with Hons and a teaching qualification. To this day, the individual is reluctant to open up to people at work due to negative experiences within the military. They still struggle with anxiety and depression.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1974 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual experienced numerous ‘witch hunts’ occurring during their service. They felt like their career was over before it had begun. They still experience sadness and regret to this day.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. At a SIB investigation, during which they were asked intimate sexual questions, the individual was assaulted and told to confess. They were told being gay was unnatural and all they needed was a heterosexual relationship to fix them. The individual was not offered food nor water. Their room was searched and some items were not returned. At one stage, the SIB confiscated the individual’s documents for a house sale which was only returned when their CO got involved. Looking back, the individual suspects they suffered from a mental health breakdown, alongside depression and anxiety. They lost friends who no longer wanted to associate with the individual. This affected their confidence and self-esteem, and they felt like they had nothing to live for.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1974 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and lived in fear of the SIB finding out. They were subjected to investigation, having their private belongings searched and would stand outside your bunk to listen to any private conversations. During their questioning, they were told to either leave with an unblemished record or have ‘Services No Longer Required’ if they tried to sign up again. The individual was subsequently discharged. On leaving the military, the individual had no job, no home and was disowned by their family, with no income, resulting in mental health issues.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality which included being investigated. The investigation involved having their room searched where numerous items including cards, diaries and letters were removed. The interrogation lasted several hours where the individual was not offered anything to eat or drink. The investigation lasted for around a year, to which rumours increased to a point where colleagues would not sit with the individual and would avoid them. At one stage, the individual’s boss said they could only support the individual if they weren’t gay, otherwise they were on their own. The experience affected their mental health at a time the individual was trying to figure out their sexuality, especially as they were told being gay was wrong, illegal and disgusting. They still feel the effect today and feel unable to fully open up to others.
Non-LGBT personnel who served during the ban in the Royal Navy. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were involved in implementing and enforcing the ban. The individual had someone working for them whose service was terminated after declaring their sexuality. They state the person dismissed had excellent reports in every respect and was a candidate for officer selection. Although part of the chain of command had to administer the discharge, they did not agree with the ban.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the British Army. In order to join the military, the individual gave up their home and current job which brought in a high salary. During their time in the Armed Forces, they experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality which resulted in the individual retiring early due to this discrimination and several investigations. They have never recovered from the trauma and impact which still affects them today.
During the investigations – where at times the individual was coerced – colleagues would distance themselves from the individual for fear of recriminations. Their room and vehicle were searched during which they were held for hours in isolation. Items were seized and never returned. They were refused representation i.e. a lawyer or a friend, were not allowed a phone call and were supervised at all times. This resulted in the individual being prescribed medication for anxiety, depression and to help them sleep. Although the individual saved a soldier’s life after a shooting incident, none of this was acknowledged.
The individual resigned when their papers came through for an extension due to their experiences and due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1974 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after reports of ‘unnatural relationships’, resulting in their discharge from the Armed Forces. At the time, they were not fully aware of their sexual orientation. During their interrogation, they were escorted to the toilet where they were not allowed to close the door and watched by police. Following their interview, their room was searched thoroughly. After this, the individual was instructed to return to work to await further instructions. The effect was the individual constantly having to look over their shoulder, unable to trust colleagues and feelings of worthlessness. They were also shunned by their peers. The repercussions of these events have remained with the individual to this day, and they felt unable to tell their family the reason for them leaving the Armed Forces. Once the decision of discharge was confirmed, the individual was sent for a medical examination, which included an internal examination and offered electro-convulsive therapy. At times, the individual felt suicidal.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. The individual served for over 13 years and retired at the age of 38 as a Lieutenant Commander. Although not discharged they believe that the attitudes and the law in the services regarding homosexuality led to a delay in their self-awareness and therefore coming out.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army.
They were outed via a revenge tip from a fellow colleague, they were interviewed and the accusation was not believed, however they were terrified that they would be found out. They recount during a ‘witch hunt’ being named by a corporal and their fellow officers thought it was hilarious and didn’t believe it. They told colleagues they were gay and were laughed at. They report spending their entire career avoiding career opportunities that required vetting of any kind and looked over their shoulder all the time. This was stressful and made for a lonely life and a shortened career.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1978 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned which led to their dismissal for ‘Services No Longer Required’. During their multiple investigations, the individual had no representative. The individual describes the investigations as very aggressive, with their friends and colleagues also being interrogated. Their dismissal resulted in depression and a lack of confidence, and being unable to talk about their military life with friends and family to this date.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned.
During their time in the military, the individual felt they had to lead a double life for fear of being reported, caught or caught up in other investigations. They felt unable to keep any personal items. They found their time in the Armed Forces incredibly stressful.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. The individual was engaged within a heterosexual relationship but was confused about their sexuality. After first joining the military, they were subjected to being assaulted. After being transferred, a senior took the individual under his wing which turned into several occasions of sexual assault, with the senior threatening the individual if they reported anything, they would be charged and thrown out of the RAF. This escalated into the individual being raped. As the individual didn’t know any other gay people nor understand their own sexuality, they believed the senior’s behaviour was the norm. The individual was transferred – unrelated to their relationship to the senior. They wrote a letter to the senior which was found and given to the SIB, resulting in an investigation and the individual confessed to the relationship. The focus stayed on the individual’s sexuality and the abuse they reported was ignored. A room search was undertaken and the individual was asked very intimate and personal questions; underwear and a notebook was confiscated. One line of questioning involved the individual being asked to strip and hold a ruler next to the penis whilst the officers made statements to see if they got aroused. All the interviews seemed to centre around the individual’s sexuality and not as a victim of sexual assault.
They proceeded to attempt to take their own life a further three times. The senior was later court martialled, as a further seventeen colleagues had also been sexually assaulted, and the individual was asked to go back to the base for further questioning. They couldn’t face going back and tried to take their own life. The individual’s medical records have them as a victim of homosexuality, but has the individual listed as an offender. The individual was discharged for ‘Services No Longer Required’. They suffered with anxiety, stress, anger issues and were diagnosed with low self-esteem and major depressive disorder, and still have trust issues. The individual still feels the effects of their experience in the RAF today.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They faked a heterosexual relationship to avoid suspicion. At one stage, they were ordered to attend the officer’s mess in the middle of the night to what they thought was an initiation ceremony – this ended up being a search into people’s living areas to find if there were two same-sex individuals sleeping together.
The individual details being followed off duty by the SIB. Their colleagues’ rooms were searched aggressively and questioned about each personal item. The individual was questioned as a potential witness and asked inappropriate questions without any representation. Although investigated throughout the individual’s career, they remained in the Armed Forces. They suffered from verbal abuse and, at one stage, other officers would give the first male to ‘bed’ the individual a box of champagne. Separately, the individual was investigated themselves, where the investigator asked everyone in their unit if they had any evidence of the individual’s sexuality. They continued through their career and, a while after the ban was lifted, the individual felt comfortable enough to come out. They describe this as a huge relief.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1991 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality during a time they were unsure about their sexuality. They were questioned about their sexuality by a Commanding Officer who told the individual they could just leave or they would be investigated, resulting in them subsequently voluntarily leaving the TA and returning to civilian life. After the ban was lifted in 2000, this Veteran returned to Service and is still serving. Their initial experience in the military still affects the individual’s confidence and wellbeing today.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, and had colleagues who lived in fear of being outed. They view the ban as dated, cruel and inappropriate.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. After a few years in service, the individual joined a team where comments were made directly to them, or to others in their presence, suggesting they were gay, concealed as jokes. This progressed to slurs at work, at breaks, leading them to socially isolate after work. Eventually, the individual was assaulted at work by a team member and harassed by the rest of their team. They developed PTSD and also attempted suicide.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the Royal Air Force, who lived in fear and led a double life. They were subject to intrusive investigations on a number of occasions, some without support, about their relationship with a colleague which involved having their room and personal effects searched. The individual was told the colleague in question had admitted their relationship and therefore the individual corroborated this story to support them. However, later on the individual found out that their colleague was also told the same line i.e. that the individual had admitted the relationship first, and they too had also admitted it in support. At each interview, notes were taken but the individual was not allowed to see them nor sign them as a true record. At one investigation, the individual was asked to identify anyone else they knew to be gay and any known gay bars, and informed them each one would be subject to interview.
The individual was put under open arrest and told to remain in their room without talking to anyone else, and their passport confiscated. Subsequently they were administratively discharged under ‘Services No Longer Required’, despite a very high annual assessment which marks were downgraded after their interviews. Their friends and colleagues turned unsupportive. The individual was not offered any resettlement advice or training upon departure and they remained unemployed for almost two years due to difficulty in finding work. This led to damage to their self-esteem and mental health.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. The individual has been impacted in a number of ways. They began to have very dark periods where they would get extremely angry for no reason and even push colleagues away in case they got too friendly and somehow suspected that they were gay. Even when they were surrounded by ship mates, friends and colleagues, they often felt extremely lonely. They say they had nobody to confide in. They also developed a mistrust in other people, which, they state, for many years made it difficult for them to form friendships or working relationships with colleagues. The individual still suffers from these emotional impacts.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after saying a drunken comment to a colleague. They were questioned for a day without any representation, and their belongings were searched. They were released as no evidence was found. The individual did move postings to avoid the rumours. In the end, the individual PVR’d due to the fear of being caught and unable to be themselves.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1986 in the British Army. The individual still has their Notice of Engagement which does not detail that homosexuality was illegal in the UK Armed Forces. They describe a culture of fear.
They were investigated, without privacy, oppressively and intimately interrogated and discharged from the Army due to their sexuality. During the investigations, it seemed clear to the individual the investigators had gone to extreme lengths to identify them from a series of letters. They were not allowed support during their interviews, and they do not remember being read their rights. The individual was in a heterosexual marriage at this stage and was told they had an hour to let them know what was happening which led to the breakdown of their marriage. They were transferred during the investigation but the reason was not secret, and therefore the individual was ostracised by their new colleagues. Their family home was searched in front of their mother and brother. They were subsequently administratively discharged from the Armed Forces, 100 days before they would have accrued enough service to be eligible for their pension. They have suffered long term mental health problems, including PTSD and suicidal thoughts. They suffered from alcohol abuse and became emotionally fragile, distancing themselves from friends for fear they would blame the individual for any damage to their careers. They have struggled since with their family relationships. They received a letter in the post ordering them to return their medals, which they refused. They fought for restitution in the courts and eventually received a settlement from the UK Government but do not believe this actually covered their legal costs.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. Following rumours about them, they disclosed it to a colleague who then reported them. They were instantly dismissed. It affected their relationships with family as they were afraid to disclose again for fear of losing their family. After leaving the Navy they had a breakdown and were off work for almost a year due to panic attacks and anxiety and subsequently prescribed medication and counselling.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. To this individual the military represented a career, belonging to something important and a safe space away from any sexual risk in a time where HIV was prominent. They joined the military knowing that homosexuality was banned. Psychologically, serving within the military under the ban affected them but they say that they joined knowing the situation, believing that it wasn’t right, but also thinking that they didn’t have any right to complain. They lied about their sexuality to protect themselves. They had no idea who else was going to find out about this and so the worry and looking over their shoulder then continued for a long time.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1971 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were questioned about their sexuality. The individual was aware of reports of people having their accommodation raised and serving personnel being jailed for being gay. This caused the individual to feel fearful and panicked which had a negative effect on their ability to carry out duties. Three years before this incident, the individual was interviewed following an accusation by a former colleague. They were asked if they would have a medical examination, to which the individual agreed. Their anus was inspected which the individual described as the most humiliating moment of their life. The medical report states no evidence of sexuality and the case was dropped.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They lived in married quarters as a single parent. Female friends who came to visit the house were reported. The veteran was banned from having people of the same-sex in the house because of the suspicion that they were homosexual. This left the veteran alone as a single parent. Ultimately, they were sent for a medical and diagnosed with depression and deliberately endeavoured to be discharged on that basis to get away from the Army.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned after being ‘outed’ by an external source. After refusing to sign papers admitting their sexuality, they were rebadged as a driver – a role significantly below their capabilities. They quickly became bored and left three years later. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The nature of dismissal was through unofficial methods or actions. This resulted in an impact on their mental health for fear of losing their career and rough treatment by the SIB.
Non-LGBT personnel who still serves and served between 1995 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. As part of training, they were shadowing military police who were waiting outside LGBT venues with folders of photographs of Service personnel suspected of being LGBT. At the time, they say they accepted the ban as military law and it was considered a straightforward matter. They now find this, and the ban, abhorrent. They say they are sickened that they did not stand up for their LGBT friends and colleagues. This included someone who they trained with who was discharged for being LGBT.
Non-LGBT personnel who served during the ban in the Royal Navy. When they joined, the individual recalls being instructed that gays were reprieved individuals who had no placed serving and should be removed. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual witnessed a shipmate being investigated and recalled that the contents of their colleague’s locker had been thrown over the deck, bunk space ripped apart and belongings damaged. This was the last time they saw or heard anything from their shipmate.
As a young sailor, they were naive to the issues with sexuality until then and how LGBT colleagues were being investigated. They state on their removal from the Armed Forces, they were given no assistance. The individual supports the removal of all stigma attached to LGBT Veterans and recommends rapid government change.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. This included being investigated and administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. They lost their career and childhood dream of a long career. They had to come out to their parents before they were ready to follow the sudden departure from Service. The individual was made homeless and jobless overnight. It took them seven years to find an alternative career and there were many points during that time when they felt completely alone and lost. No help or report was received.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 2000 in the Royal Navy where they had to hide their true identity as transgender throughout their career. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including bullying and questions about their sexual tendencies.
The individual felt they never attained their full potential due to living a lie, which caused extreme stress to their mental health, stating they didn’t care if they died during action. Post 2000, the individual witnessed a transitioning fellow transgender being talked about behind their back which the individual feared would happen to them if they started their own journey. This resulted in the individual not transitioning and carrying on in the wrong body, causing mental distress and upset.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the British Army. They were perceived-as-LGBT because of a friendship with a colleague. This resulted in abuse, humiliation, and discharge. They were branded as LGBT by colleagues and this resulted in a fight with another soldier. The veteran was arrested, imprisoned for two days, and then discharged being told they don’t have gay men in the army.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army and did not know they were homosexual until after they joined. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being under intrusive investigation which involved a search of their room and going through all their personal belongings, removing some letters and documents. When requesting a toilet break, the individual was told to leave the toilet door open and was watched to ensure no evidence was destroyed, resulting in them feeling degraded and humiliated. They were questioned without representation for five days which became more aggressive each day. One area of questioning was asking if the individual could confirm if a number of colleagues were homosexual, another was asking for detail on relations. This resulted in the individual being called a security risk and was told to make an appointment with a doctor to get rid of their ‘lesbian tendencies’. Colleagues turned against the individual and they did not receive a welfare visit. After the investigations, the individual was given a role for six months distributing uniforms and weapons, which they enjoyed and were made to feel welcomed. This was until they were told they would be discharged for ‘Services No Longer Required’. The individual submitted a letter of appeal which was unsuccessful. On departure from the military, the individual found employment and somewhere to live without any resettlement offers, although still suffered with financial hardship and started experiencing some alcohol abuse. To this day, their family do not know the reason they left the military.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. After a same-sex incident, they were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and had their medals, conduct badges and ranks removed. The individual left the same day with no support offered nor follow-up service. They felt their reputation was ‘destroyed’ as they were removed from the ship under escort and in full view of hundreds of family members. To this day, they do not have any relationship with any service personnel which impacted where they worked, lived, and activities they chose to take part in. The individual is now married with children and is worried they will learn about the same-sex incident. While they were removed, they were locked up in detention quarters and abused by others. They underwent questioning throughout the day for two months and were put to work with the cleaning team.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1990 in the British Army. When they joined the Army, they had no idea what being gay was. As they developed as a young lady while in the Army, they realised they were gay. The individual lived a lie for nearly nine years, they hid who they were due to fear of being found out. They felt they had been lucky not to be caught. But, through this testimony process, reliving the time, has surprisingly been very difficult for them. This has been a very emotional visit back to that time in their life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned where the individual’s personal belongings including letters were looked through. Although no evidence was found, their next posting was cancelled. During one investigation, the individual was asked about a relationship with a colleague after the CO received an anonymous letter. The allegations were dismissed and there was no further action taken, the individual was even warned not to use internal phones for private conversations.
The individual describes the WRAC personnel being subjected to surprise bed checks, although the men were not. Females caught with someone else in their bed were subject to long and personal interrogations, whereas the men were cautioned. The individual stayed in the military until they retired, although living a lie was not easy and had to fit in with the ‘banter’, with a constant undercurrent of blackmail and threat of being discovered. The individual had confessed to their parents who were acceptive and support the individual – the individual believes this helped support them throughout their career. They kept their sexual preferences private for many years after the lifting of the ban although they are now openly gay.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and believe they were unfairly passed over for promotion. The ban meant that they had to live a slightly covert private life, and the culture involved negative attitudes towards LGBT colleagues.
They also state that ultimately, they cannot describe the impact the ban had on them because they do not know what their life would have been like had the ban not been there.
Non-LGBT personnel who still serves and served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were involved in implementing and enforcing the ban. On one occasion, it was reported to the individual that a soldier was gay and therefore an application was made for their discharge. At the time, the individual understood the reasoning for the ban but felt the Army was behind society in this area.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. During their time in the military, the individual felt unable to commit to work and had to hide their true self. They entered into a heterosexual marriage and started a family to continue to throw suspicion off their sexuality, which added pressure on their ability to succeed within the Armed Forces. They felt that the negative attitudes were still there after the ban was lifted in 2000.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual was interrogated during a period of their service. They were accused of covering up and bringing the Army into disrepute and not doing their duty by reporting a gay individual. This left this individual anxious and depressed. They have found it extremely difficult to trust people and develop personal relationships. This is a second event.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1995 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. The individual knew they were gay upon joining the military but their desire to serve was more important to them. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, with many colleagues (not knowing the individual’s sexuality) stating gays should never serve in the Royal Navy, causing the individual to consider leaving. They were unable to have a personal relationship and would occasionally fabricate meeting someone of the opposite-sex. The ban was then lifted in 2000 and the individual describes it as an incredible relief, became a much more confident officer, and received an MBE.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1994 in the British Army. They were intimidated into disclosing a relationship with a colleague of the same-sex in a vetting interview. Their vetting was removed and they lost their job.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included medical examination or treatment. During their time in the military, they lived with their partner and kept a spare room dedicated to their partner; this was so if the house was investigated they could claim their partner was a lodger. The individual describes the fear of being outed as immense and they were questioned several times by superiors.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual’s sexuality and story was published by the press. There was no support from the Royal Navy through this time. This time was traumatic emotionally.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1970 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, and were tricked into admitting their sexuality. They were originally accused of stealing and, when the individual volunteered to have their room searched for the missing items, letters from their same-sex relationship were found. The individual was subsequently arrested and taken to the sick quarters which included medical examination or treatment. During this time, they were escorted to the toilet and made to leave the door open, and were not allowed any food, only liquids. They were subsequently dismissed from the Armed Services for ‘Services No Longer Required’. On their departure, they were not allowed to say goodbye to friends. Employment was difficult to find initially. Their family was also told the nature of their departure. Today, they still suffer from panic attacks. They expressed that their experience had been painful to recall. Their faith in the Armed Forces was shattered due to how they were treated. They never felt strong enough until now to give their account of what happened.
LGBT Veteran who served in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual felt pressured to invent opposite-sex partner so that suspicion didn’t fall on them. Due to this, the individual suffered from stress and anxiety. They purchased voluntary redundancy after nine years as they could not contemplate continuing with their service after friends had been arrested and dishonourably discharged.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the Royal Air Force. They were sexually assaulted and raped by a senior officer who used the ban and homophobic culture in the Armed Forces to blackmail them into silence. They were sent on a foreign posting, before being summarily returned to the UK and discharged. Following discharge, they were approached by the military police and asked to re-join and act as bait to draw out and catch other LGBT service personnel. They refused. After their refusal, someone called and told their family about their sexuality. This resulted in their being thrown out of their family home and becoming homeless for six months.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was investigated and personal calls listened to. This individual’s investigation included physically intrusive procedures. They are still affected by the trauma that the ban and investigation caused them.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the Royal Air Force. Whilst in the armed forces, the individual was worried to have female friends in case it raised suspicion, living in constant fear. The individual was investigated several times alongside their colleagues. The individual’s personal belongings were searched and their room, leaving the individual feeling shame, hurt and embarrassment. They were also followed when off-duty. Due to the pressure, the individual admitted their sexuality and was dismissed from the armed forces immediately. These investigations also included medical examination or treatment. On leaving the military, the individual felt their world had fallen apart. They had financial hardship and had to stay with friends as they had no money, resulting in depression.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1978 in the British Army. The individual experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, where they had to lie and deny their sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 2000 in the British Army. The individual was not aware of the ban when joining and although was unsure of their own sexuality, witnessed many acts of homophobic assault throughout the 80s as well as many soldiers being thrown out. Regretfully, they were worried they would get caught so posed as one of the bullies.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed from the Armed Forces. The individual spent their time in the military frightened that people would find out. An ex-partner reported them. The individual was locked up for two days post being arrested. They had an overwhelming feeling of guilt as they knew the law when they joined.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. At one stage, the individual handed in their 12 months’ notice to leave the Army. They were having a same-sex relationship. As it was illegal within the Army at that time, it was kept very quiet. However, when the relationship was discovered, the individual was told they would not be allowed to remain at the rank they were in. They would be free to transfer to any other trade, otherwise they would not be able to withdraw their notice. The individual argued there was no proof of said relationship, but was told that that didn’t matter. The individual subsequently chose to leave the Army.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They were dishonourably discharged. They recall their investigation by the SIB started with their door being kicked in, then they were handcuffed and marched through barracks for interrogation. Their belongings were searched and torn apart. Following discharge, they were rejected by their family and violently attacked by a relative. They struggled for many years after discharge to obtain employment as their discharge blocked them from entry to the police or prison services which they would have gone on to. They were traumatised by their experience in the Army and continue to struggle with their mental health.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1986 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1991 and 2000 in the British Army. They underwent medical examination or treatment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the Royal Air Force and struggled with their sexuality, with no experience of same-sex relationships.
The individual was arrested, taken to the camp military police station and interrogated along with three others. During their interrogations, they were asked intimate questions and to name others they knew to be homosexual. They say the experience felt bewildering, traumatic and humiliating, saying it was the worst experience of their life.
The individual was transferred to a medical centre for a few days to undergo further examination, including being given a magazine of naked men and their opinion sought. During this time, they were denied clean clothing, and the ability to make calls or write to their family. Their mail was pre-read. They were subsequently discharged from the Armed Forces. If it wasn’t for a friend, the individual believes they would have tried to end their life. They felt they lost everything including their self-worth, esteem and dignity, and suffered with nightmares, poor sleeping, anorexia, and poor mental health for many years. Their discharge put a strain on their relationship with their family and they did not reconcile for two years. The individual did not recognise themselves as a veteran until 2019.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1982 in the British Army. They felt they lived in daily fear. In spite of this, they loved their Army career and did not want to be thrown out.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including being called nicknames, investigated and being cautioned or warned. They were subject to frequent raids on their accommodation by military police – the individual shredded photographs and letters to avoid suspicion. The individual describes feeling like a criminal having to hide their sexuality. They were subsequently dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, including seniors stating they hated homosexuals, lesbians in particular. The individual was investigated twice after being found with someone else of the same-sex in their room. During their investigation, personal belongings were searched, including letters and photographs followed by medical examination or treatment. Although there were no charges, the individual was told it would go on their record which resulted in the individual considering suicide. Shortly after, standing orders were amended to deter same-sex individuals in each other’s rooms. To this day, the individual feels ashamed and struggles with telling others about their sexuality.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They recall their experience of being investigated by the SIB, and forced to undergo rectal examination. This was done in front of colleagues. It had been alleged they had committed ‘gross indecency’. They were court-martialled and discharged from the RAF. Since discharge, they have experienced mental health problems, financial difficulty, and difficulty in their family and relationships. A suicide attempt following their discharge which has left them permanently disabled.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were accused of feeling someone up, arrested and subject to eight hours of SIB interrogation, then sent away from the unit and told no action would be taken. Three weeks later they were posted out.
LGBT Veteran who was the subject of an investigation and eventually discharged. They were subject to intrusive medical examinations as part of the investigation. At 21 years old this individual was traumatised and as result had instances of mistrust and alcohol abuse throughout their life. Feeling of shame and humiliation to this day. They were financially impacted and emotionally, being unable to purchase their own home for example.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was bullied by their Officer Commanding and accused of things they hadn’t done. The SIB interviewed them. Their bedroom was searched; they took letters, birthday cards, and the individual’s diary. During the interview process, they describe that their head wobbled uncontrollably, their hands shook, stomach churned and heart beat rapidly.
Following the investigation, they were discharged prematurely under the military law’s homosexual Act with ‘Services No Longer Required’. They lost their promotion, had their Positive Vetting removed, and were taken off a course that they joined the Army for.
In terms of feelings, they express humiliation, loss of friends, being bullied, loss of self-esteem, loss of confidence, permanent suffering of rejection, low self-esteem and confidence and anxiety. Since then, they have been unable to hold down a job, unable to enjoy social activities anymore and drunk far too much in their time. They also state that they were left with; an inability to focus properly, broken-down relationships with family, friends, partners and work colleagues, questionable communication skills, fatigue and depression recorded, and haven’t been a happy person since.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality where their superiors proactively searched for homosexuality within their unit including regular raids of sleeping quarters, being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual also experienced medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force and were aware of the ban upon joining. The individual did try and practise as a heterosexual. The individual kept their sexuality hidden which resulted in constant worry of being found out. They felt relief when the ban was lifted.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. This included being investigated and cautioned. In one incident they recall being called into an informal meeting with an Officer following the interception of mail to their partner who told them that they were lucky it was them who found out as they would help protect them but could not if others kept digging.
They recall their experience of being encouraged to consider SIB as a career choice, but this involved interviewing and reporting others who were not true criminals; but were brought into an investigation for their presumed sexual orientation. They say that they could not in all good consciousness take the opportunity to advance their investigation career aspirations that way. They were judged for turning down this opportunity.
Over their career they detail enduring ridicule, hurtful behaviour, and physical abuse. They lost friends due to the ban who were kicked out and they had to live with a negative label hanging over their head every day until the ban was lifted. They express that it certainly slowed down their opportunity for promotions and therefore lifetime earning capacity. One senior advised them to date the opposite-sex and wear appropriate clothing to help their career.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1994 in the British Army. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual had to keep many aspects of their life a secret including relationships. They lived in constant fear of being caught witnessing friends being discharged at short notice for similar reasons. There was a huge fear of loss of career and personal possessions.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated without proper representation and kept in isolation before their trial. They were discharged from the Armed Forces, pension rights, medals and rewards removed and their conviction still stands today. This is because the section of the Army Act used against the individual was not included in the 2000 appeal nor any other case that has gone before the courts. This resulted in financial hardship, especially due to potential employers having to be informed of the conviction for the following 10 years. The individual’s family is still unaware of the true reason for their departure from the military.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The nature of dismissal was due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel after it split up the individual’s marriage which resulted in mental health issues, where they did not have any support. They were found a house when they were homeless, although it is not clear if this was done through the military.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. They recall being investigated with no representation and cautioned, and made to sign a statement by the SIB stating they had never done anything like that before and would never do anything like that again following an incident where they were found lying next to another woman whilst both fully clothed. They say they felt ashamed for years after leaving the Army due to this culture and have always kept their sexuality to themselves so it wouldn’t impact their employment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality and were actually sexually assaulted by a civil servant. An investigation was conducted but the individual was not believed because they were found out to be gay. The RMP investigated them, whereby their room was ransacked and they were questioned for hours. The RMP read all their personal mail from friends and family to try and prove that the individual was gay. Throughout this ordeal the individual was made to feel cheap and subject to name calling and ultimately had to hide who they were, leading to depression and not being able to enjoy life to its full, authentically.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. The individual completed all training and could not be themselves until the end of their career. They did however experience positive commanding officers towards the end of their career. This veteran was aware of the law when joining, hence hiding their true identity.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the British Army. They were born while both their parents were in the Army and on a foreign posting. They grew up and aspired to join the Army their whole life. They were investigated and subjected to intrusive and oppressive questioning. They were subsequently discharged. Their parent who was still serving was informed of their discharge and the reason for this. They were then cut off from their family for the following 15 years.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. This included being investigated and referred for medical ECT treatment. They were dismissed from the Armed Forces. They recall whilst in Service having to live a double life, hiding their sexuality from friends and colleagues and when they were eventually found out, they were interrogated for many hours being made to talk about graphic sexual intercourse with other men. They detail being offered electro conversion therapy and when they refused were sent to military prison where they were tortured and abused.
The investigation led to them being outed and forced to tell their parents and family. They recall these circumstances brought shame on their family and it affected them mentally, emotionally and physically leading to a breakdown and attempted suicide. They still have flashbacks to this day.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army and felt during their time it was difficult to be themselves. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after a colleague reported them for attending a gay pub resulting in the individual being arrested. At the interview, they did not have representation and they were asked to name others they knew to be homosexual. During this period, they were escorted everywhere and kept isolated away from colleagues.
Within 48 hours, they were given the option to buy themselves out of the military for £200 with an exemplary record or have ‘Services No Longer Required’ written in their red book – they decided on the former. The individual states they still feel the effects today from what happened.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. They were investigated and dismissed under ‘Services No Longer Required’ (SNLR) despite their claim that the charge was ‘totally fabricated’ and submitted vindictively by a former lover.
Their SNLR status led them to go for jobs lower than their skill level, believing this statement would hinder them in a professional career. This caused bouts of depression and suicidal thoughts. In the run up to their departure they recall having to wait for a month before being able to leave, carrying out low skill level tasks. They felt immense emotions and felt lost and wounded which impacted on their mental health and that dismissal from the service was absolutely devastating.
They detail how they became isolated from family members and homeless for a period and feeling like they did not belong anywhere.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. They sought legal advice in the past but with no results.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1994 in the Royal Air Force. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and detailed a culture of ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ approach. The individual was involved in implementing and enforcing the ban, including where they worked in recruitment where they were to ‘spot’ candidates who may be homosexual and, if they were, find a reason not to enlist them. Regardless, they state the ban was nonsense and that they punished people for being what they were born. They describe two of their friends who were affected by the ban; one was court martialled and discharged and the other unable to remain in service due to the difficulty of hiding their true self. The individual now identifies as bisexual, and believe they would have come to that realisation much sooner if it hadn’t been for the attitudes of the Armed Forces at that time.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1994 in the British Army. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were accused of being a lesbian and threatened with being outed to their family.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. The individual was interviewed where they were told an immediate response confirming or denying their sexuality was required – the individual admitted. The individual states the military police were respectful but uncomfortable dealing with a gay man. They were given two options: either go through an investigation and trial or resign their commission. The individual chose the latter to ensure they did not receive a criminal record, although they still struggled to start another career in another country once they left the military and faced financial hardship. Their partner at the time was also interviewed to ensure the individual was not admitting their sexuality in order to leave the service prematurely.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They questioned and confessed to homosexuality after a letter of solidarity that was addressed to a colleague, went to the wrong location and was opened and read. The individual was questioned for two days using their taken possessions as a basis.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated when a former partner identified the individual. The individual describes the line of questioning as deeply unpleasant and they were not offered any support. Intimate questions were asked, including what sexual positions they preferred. This resulted in the individual signing a letter that they would not have another same-sex relationship or be discharged. This subsequently caused the individual to lose their vetting and could then only work in administration with a large pay cut. They witnessed many other colleagues who were dishonourably discharged due to their sexuality. During this time, the individual was bullied resulting in formal disciplinary action. They could not defend themselves out of fear for the claimant revealing the individual’s same-sex relationship. This affected a potential promotion opportunity. Due to the intense fear of discharge, the individual suffered from alcoholic abuse which helped the individual have heterosexual relationships. They lived a lie which affected their mental health, which is still apparent today.
During their time in the military, the individual felt the environment was very demeaning, life was never normal, and they always felt on-guard and suspicious of anyone asking about their private life. They were unable to write letters to partners with their real name nor able to be acknowledged as a couple which was wearing and degrading.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. During their training, others became suspicious of their sexuality and the individual was asked to transfer back to a previous deployment. During their service, they had to hide themselves with a consent fear of being found out. This caused emotional and mental health issues. When they heard the SIB were coming onto base, the individual sent personal photos and letters back to their parent’s house. When their parents’ received the parcel, they subsequently saw the news of their investigation in the paper and cut contact with the individual.
The individual was subject to a SIB investigation which led to their discharge from the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’. They were sent to a psychiatrist. During the investigation, they were interviewed at length. Their room was searched looking for evidence and left for the individual to tidy up – even today, a messy bedroom triggers traumatic memories. Whilst the SIB were on base, the individual was subject to verbal abuse from colleagues and treated like criminals. There was no offer of counselling or legal support. When discharged, the individual became unemployed with no money nor financial help, and suffered with mental health issues including complex PTSD. They found accommodation through friends but the flat had a mould infestation. They became a traumatised, lonely and fearful person and felt they never felt like they fitted in either in work or relationships. Interviews were difficult as the individual was always asked why they left the military. They felt scared to come out at work for fear of being rejected again. The individual states being dishonourably discharged from the Army has and continues to impact every part of their adult life.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1999 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. They say that the ban created divisions within units and robbed the military of a cohort of capable personnel. They believe the ban reinforced homophobia, some of which continued after the ban was lifted. They attended a party to celebrate the lifting of the ban.
Non-LGBT personnel who served from the early 90s and still serve. The individual has mixed feelings around what they witnessed, describing bad behaviour between lesbians. They detail feeling excluded at times from female sport as they were not a lesbian. They do believe the ban led to some of the worst behaviour including bullying and favouritism. At one stage, the individual was involved in the discharge of a colleague. The colleague wanted to leave the military due to being assaulted and bullied by other girls from the unit. The individual believes those prosecuted and discharged at the time were done so dishonourably and, whilst they believe the discharge may stand, the dishonourable part should be removed. They believe that those impacted should receive back any pension and medals.
LGBT Veteran who served in the British Army, during which time they were subject to bullying and homophobic verbal abuse. The individual was never caught and therefore wasn’t investigated by the SIB or the RMP, although the threat of being removed from the military was a constant concern. At one stage, the individual borrowed a friend’s opposite-sex partner to attend a mess function to halt any rumours. The individual recalls destroying photographs in case there were room raids. After leaving the military, the individual states it took them a long time to be comfortable with their sexuality.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They lived in fear that their sexuality would be discovered and felt they had to create an elaborate backstory with a heterosexual partner and child.
Non-LGBT personnel who served in the British Army. The individual was a member of the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) and states that the ‘witch hunt’ aspect being portrayed was a myth. It was the MOD’s policy that was followed by RMP and SIB. They investigated approximately two to three cases per year on average, and always began after a complaint of indecent assault. During investigations, the SIB executed a common approach following specific technical instructions.
The individual recognises that whatever LGBT status or gender veterans should be equally recognised for their service.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They detail their experience of being bullied and harassed in training and in Service by colleagues. They were accused of misconduct which they deny, and then investigated and discharged because of their sexuality. They recall confiding in a colleague and friend who feigned understanding and then reported them to the Navy. Their personal belongings were searched and deprived from them. They were forced to come out to their parents, who were fortunately supportive. Following discharge, they have struggled with their mental health and with building close trusting relationships. After a failed attempt to seek justice in the UK courts, they took the UK government to the European Court of Human Rights and won their case.
LGBT Veteran who joined the Royal Air Force. The individual was always very cautious of being caught out and remembers being asked to sign a statement stating they are not homosexual at attestation. They signed as they were not fully aware of their sexuality and wanted a career in the military. When a friend admitted to their sexuality, the individual describes a ‘witch hunt’ that started soon after. The individual was accused of being gay due to their number being found in their friend’s phone book. Rooms were raided and sniffer dogs were involved. The individual did not sign on for longer in the RAF due to the fear of being found out, a decision they regret. The individual still feels ashamed of sexuality due to the experience.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. Physical and psychological bullying led to them resigning from Service. They recall sexual assault and physical assault and still feel too ashamed to pursue a formal allegation even now.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the Royal Air Force. They were never accused or suspected of being gay but lived in fear of this and left Service because the longer they served the greater the risk of discovery was. To this day the individual still deals with the consequences of being forced to lie. They regret dating others and using them to perpetuate the lie. They felt they couldn’t sign on for extended service as this would have increased the risk of discovery.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the Royal Air Force. They were investigated by military police who publicly frogmarched them through a base to the guardroom. Their father was also serving in the RAF at the same time and on the same base and the veteran was living with his parents. Despite asking them not to, military police informed their parents of their sexuality. They were offered aversion therapy but refused. They were discharged with the reason listed as ‘Services No Longer Required’. They later discovered their father had been told they would not be promoted due to their sexuality. They were told that being LGBT made them a security risk which they denied. They were hoping to work from being a medical secretary to being a nurse, and had passed an exam to be promoted to a higher rank when they were discharged. Following and due to their discharge, they found it difficult to find employment.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1991 and 2000 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were involved in implementing and enforcing the ban, and were told to be on the lookout for groups of gay people. They were involved in room raids to catch people engaged in homosexual activities. Although it was also not allowed to have someone of the same-sex in your room, it was made clear only gay personnel were to be disciplined. The individual recalls seeing evidence of discrimination in promotion boards where an individual’s sexuality was called into question, which had a negative impact on their promotion prospects.
The individual was delighted when the ban was lifted in 2000, and believes the ban was a shameful waste of people’s abilities.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after their arrest at home (married quarters) followed by a medical examination by a military doctor. The individual’s spouse was also investigated. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and their experiences continues to affect the individual, including alcohol abuse and attempting suicide, ultimately leading to the breakdown of their marriage.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1994 in the British Army. They were only 17 years old, and while training they were called to a superior’s office and told it had been discovered they were LGBT, and that this was illegal. It was recommended that they ask for discharge to avoid the brutal and intrusive investigation that would surely follow if they did not. They signed discharge papers which stated they were ‘unsuitable for Army service’. They concealed the real reason for their discharge from their parents. However, their parents did not believe them and wrote to the local MP who responded explaining that it was their ‘lifestyle’ which had caused them to be discharged. They couldn’t get a job when they left the Army which led to them being unemployed for several years. This in turn led to them losing all of their confidence, and they felt like they weren’t wanted. They felt that being in the Army was all they wanted to do and they were left with nothing. They are now currently seeking mental health support because they suffer from severe anxiety and depression which heavily restricts their daily life. They feel their whole life and wellbeing was impacted because they were deemed ‘not good enough’ to serve Queen and Country.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the British Army. During their service, they lived in fear of a knock on the door and people had approached their OC to question their sexuality which went no further at the time. Colleagues continued to warn the individual they were being monitored.
As the individual had a career plan post-military, they elected for PVR to avoid ‘Services No Longer Required’ on their discharge papers if they were found out. After they PVR’d, the individual was approached and challenged regarding friends and fellow service members.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was investigated after word-of-mouth, during which their belongings were searched (including items such as toothpaste tubes and talcum powder) and taken away; their mail was never returned. They were asked about individual soldiers they were responsible for if they were gay or not. They were unable to go to the toilet unaccompanied and would have to be watched. The individual continued their services after the CO officer told them to get back to work where they were ostracised by their peer group and constantly feared someone would come knocking on their door.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This individual trained as a pilot and came from a line of military family. Not being able to be open about the individual’s gender dysphoria always played on the mind. There was huge fear of being outed and transgender identity was regularly misunderstood. This individual was able to serve and eventually was an important part of LGBT culture change within the armed forces. They now work in the third sector supporting LGBT veterans through a number of services.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1978 in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and had to be careful with making friends due to assumptions of same-sex relations. They were told by their OC that their single room’s door should always remain open and no one should be allowed in their bunk. This made the individual fearful, which they believe was the intention.
After their opposite-sex fiancée reported the individual in exchange for an interesting posting, their name was put on a list of ‘suspected lesbians’ and handed to the SIB. They were taken under escort for an interview and cautioned under Military Law. Although the individual requested legal representation, none were provided. They were told things would be better for the individual if they detailed other homosexuals that they were aware of within their unit. Whilst going to the toilet and walking around their base, they were under escort and were banned from leaving camp. The interview lasted two days where their room and car were also searched. On the third day, the individual was sent to see a military psychiatrist where they were further asked oppressive questions about their sexuality. When they had to hand in their uniform, it was cut up in front of them.
The individual has suffered from PTSD since their experience in the Armed Forces. It caused a strain on their family relationships and they have never been forgiven for the embarrassment caused. They have found it difficult to trust anyone since, and it took the individual ten years to meet someone. They were able to secure employment successfully.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was subjected to regular visits, searching of their rooms and multiple interviews. On one occasion, the individual’s senior threatened to report the individual for being gay, resulting in the individual handing themselves in. They were kept in a cell for two days and asked to name anyone else they knew to be gay. Following their admission of being gay, the word spread all round camp, but they still had to deliver a PT session the next morning to the entire unit that knew their intimate business. As a result, they felt ashamed, embarrassed, humiliated as they gave the session. They returned home a quiet, unconfident, ashamed fraction of the person they were.
The individual left the military for ‘Services No Longer Required’ which made it difficult for future career aspects, although they did go on to have a successful career.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The individual has served in the police since 2002. They have had continued issues with their mental health due to their treatment by the Royal Navy.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated and subject to a medical examination to determine if they had anal sex. They were then discharged from the Armed Forces and spent six months in a military prison where they were constantly monitored. Details of the court martial were published in the national press causing an effect on their family. They also had their medals or conduct badges removed. The individual was interviewed several times where they were asked to detail their sex life, their personal belongings were searched, and they were pressured to reveal the names of others. After leaving the military, the individual spent time in prison, developed problems with alcohol and gambling, and found it hard to find employment. They were also aware of a friend taking their own life because they could not live with the thought of what could happen.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1974 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after their mail was intercepted from their partner. During the investigation, their room was searched. They were subsequently dishonourably discharged from the Armed Forces. The individual’s father was called and told of their reason for discharge. This caused a strain on their family’s relationship resulting in the individual leaving their family home.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force. They had constant worry of discovery which would lead to humiliation, incarceration and dismissal from an organisation that they loved to be a part of.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 2000 in the British Army. Although not investigated for their sexuality they had to be questioned by the SIB in regards to another issue. The individual had to hide who they were and was unable to divulge any aspects of their personal life. They lived in constant fear of SIB investigation and room raids. The shame of discharge and fear of losing everything if they were caught impacted their experience.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1971 and 1978 in the Royal Navy, and they were unaware of their sexuality when joining. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. During their time in the military, the individual had to hide their sexuality and pretend to have opposite-sex partners to avoid suspicion. They felt they had no choice but to leave after their mother threatened to tell the military after finding out the individual’s sexuality. They were devastated at the loss of the career and service that they loved, and spent a long time unemployed.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were indirectly warned that there was speculation about their relationship with a colleague of the same-sex. In fear that they would be dishonourably discharged, they bought themselves out. The individual continued to hide their sexuality outside the military.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Navy. They had a relationship with a colleague and successfully hid this for a long time. One day, they were reported to military police. A sympathetic officer told them officers wanted to interview them and advised the disposal of ‘incriminating’ evidence before they were interviewed. During their initial interview and search they were not allowed to use the toilet or conduct intimate personal care without an officer present. They were moved to a different ship and banned from having contact with any colleagues from their previous ship. They were regularly interviewed by SIB officers who wanted names of other LGBT personnel. Their mental health was badly impacted and they self-harmed. After this, they were taken to see mental health professionals and eventually admitted their sexuality and feelings about someone of the same-sex. This resulted in six days imprisonment and subsequent discharge.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. They were questioned about their sexuality and harassed or ostracised by their colleagues.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual was taken from their place of work by the SIB with no explanation and questioned, including trying to determine other personnel who could be gay. It felt like a ‘witch hunt’. The investigation was ‘heavy-handed’ and questioned for hours, and they were not allowed contact with anyone. Their room was also searched.
This resulted in the individual being dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
Following their discharge, the individual struggled to apply for other jobs as their discharge papers read ‘Services No Longer Required’. It was hard for the individual to adjust back into home life as they felt they had brought shame onto themselves and their family, and they felt embarrassed with a loss in confidence. They suffered from mental health issues resulting in low self-esteem. Had the individual not been so resilient, they would have taken their own life.
LGBT Veteran who still serves and served between 1983 and 1986. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual is heterosexual but was believed to be gay by the SIB and subject to an investigation. This led to the individual leaving the Territorial Army shortly after due to their unpleasant experience. They opposed the ban then and continue to do so.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1978 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after the individual admitted to an affair – this led to the individual being dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The investigation involved an interview and their room being searched. Four months later, the individual was sent to a doctor, who they believed to be a psychiatrist, who suggested they be posted to a camp with lots of men. After five months, they were given seven days’ notice and told their ‘services were no longer required’. Upon departure, the individual became depressed, felt isolated and fell on financial hardship.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. They were not formally investigated but faced informal probing questions and surveillance. They recall this caused them to live in constant fear, and eventually to leave the Navy fearing they would eventually be caught. Their testimony details feeling isolated and a loss of confidence.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated without representation under distressing circumstances and a potential custodial sentence at a military correctional facility which led to a decision to take their own life – fortunately a colleague was able to help prevent this. Personal items were taken for investigation and never returned to the individual, with MoD confirming they would have been destroyed. They were subsequently administratively discharged from the Armed Forces for being a homosexual after accepting an offer to admit their sexuality for an ‘easy exit’ from the Army. Upon leaving, the individual had nowhere to live, no job, debt and no sense of self-worth until they secure a job.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. This individual lost their job, life and home. This impacted their mental health and they had to explain everything to their family. They experienced trauma, humiliation and shame. The investigation was intrusive and undignified, leaving the individual scared and impacted for life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the British Army. They loved their time in Service, but also lived in fear of their sexuality being discovered. They left voluntarily after four years but would have served longer. Once they had left full time Service, they remained a reserve. As a reservist, they were summoned to be court-martialled for being LGBT. This was only prevented by the threat that they would go to the press. They have since struggled with depression and anxiety.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1990 in the British Army. Being a trans individual it was difficult to survive in the armed forces through that time. It is stated there was no access to any sort of support from the MoD or externally. The individual recognises that society has come a long way but still has a long way to go to fully accept the trans community.
Being Trans, they felt it was a struggle to survive at the time.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. This included being investigated after their name had been provided by a colleague during a separate investigation. They were then subject to a room search where personal items were taken and never returned. Although there was no physical evidence, they were dismissed for ‘Services No Longer Required’ despite their service record being exemplary. This made the individual feel embarrassed and ashamed of being gay. Their dismissal still affects them financially today due to the pension loss and their family are still not aware of the reason for why they left the military. Even now, they feel unable to talk openly about their sexuality in case it impacts their current employment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the Royal Air Force. They have shared excerpts of an MP raising a question about their experiences in the House of Commons and the response from the Government.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. They kept their sexuality a secret during their time in service which they claim often meant living in fear of being caught out and they had to lie for a number of years and remember being caught out a few times. They recall the stress and worrying about getting found out was tormenting.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being cautioned after they were perceived-as-LGBT over a photograph a colleague had of the individual. It was explained by their Platoon Commander that being gay was not allowed in the Army. This was followed by an internal investigation where nothing was found. This badly affected the individual.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. During their time in the military, they lived in constant fear of being discovered, and felt they had to be careful in conversations they had with colleagues and friends. Looking back, they believe the fear they had must have affected their behaviour.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1981 in the Royal Navy. They were discharged and given 60 days military detention. Testimony details several incidences of aggressive, threatening and abusive behaviour. The individual was subject to aggressive and intimate questioning. They felt humiliation and fear, although dismissed the individual was allowed to keep their pension.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This individual was ridiculed and felt less than equal to their heterosexual counterparts. They also feel like it permeated their golden years.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and suffered from homophobic abuse both physically and verbally. After being seen kissing someone of the same-sex, the SIB investigated them. Due to the intense questioning, the individual confessed and was subsequently charged with ‘Gross Indecency’, given a court martial – where they were denied legal representation – and sentenced to six months imprisonment; they received a criminal record as a sex offender. They were not allowed to go to the mess so their food and drink were brought to their cell; the food was occasionally spat in and their drink was urinated in. Their room was searched with underwear and bedding taken away and bagged. They also underwent a medical examination, where the individual was told to strip where an anal examination took place. Samples were also taken and their clothing bagged. Their friends at this time stopped all contact with the individual, resulting in feelings of isolation and abandonment. One night, the individual was both sexually and physically assaulted until they were unconscious; they did not admit this to guards and claimed they had fallen out of bed.
As their red book stated ‘discharge with disgrace for gross indecency’, plus their criminal record, it made finding employment difficult, and they were black listed in working in some professions. When the police were given new powers to request DNA samples from those with a criminal record pre-DNA, the individual had to provide a sample to be tested against unsolved crimes. This was later destroyed due to Parliament intervention. The individual successfully applied for a disregard, and later received an automatic pardon.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1974 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were discharged from the Armed Forces.
They joined at 17 and were dismissed after almost four years. They recalled losing their friends and colleagues, career and support structure. They were treated like a criminal and treated as if they had committed a sexual crime.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force and they were unaware of their sexuality when joining. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included a medical examination with a psychiatrist where the individual describes being treated like they had a mental illness. They were told to PVR on medical grounds from the Armed Forces after two months.
During their time in the military, the individual struggled to come to terms with their sexuality which led to insomnia and depression. This led to the use of antidepressants.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality for about nine months. The individual experienced a humiliating investigation, which included searching of room and interview questions about sexuality behaviour. To avoid being administratively discharged from the Armed Forces, the individual opted for Premature Voluntary Release (PVR) before their time. This impacted their health and mental health, including suffering psychologically and with paranoia.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1990 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated where the individual was placed in the prison cell and interrogated regarding their sexuality, sex life, friends and social life; the individual was not given any notice to the interview nor offered a representative or support. Their room was also searched. The individual subsequently underwent a thorough, intimate medical examination where it was found they had Hepatitis C. They were then administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. This resulted in the individual having feelings of self-loathing and blaming themselves for being gay, questioning their self-belief. They felt completely alone, vulnerable, shocked and annoyed. Upon departure, the individual had nowhere to go as their family did not accept that they were gay, resulting in homelessness. They bounced around low-paid jobs and, although got promoted at one stage, their salary never matched that of the Navy’s. They lost contact with the friends they made in the Navy. The individual suffered from substance abuse and still struggles emotionally with low confidence. They have been unable to enjoy a same-sex relationship and have lived a single life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual disclosed to a chaplain about being trans. This resulted in the individual being taken to a doctor where they were stripped naked, given photos of naked men and women and their penis measured to see if there was a reaction.
They were subsequently dismissed from the Armed Forces under ‘Services No Longer Required’. Their dismissal affected their mental health where the individual felt useless and unhappy with their life, never being able to settle down.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
They had to hide the fact they were gay. They were discharged for Having HIV and when they told staff about having HIV the first thing they were asked was if they were Gay. The individual has since had mental health issues due to being discharged. They also expressed that they get emotional trauma they experience when watching programmes about the Navy.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual being treated differently made them feel that they were unable to be themselves, and also reduced friendships they had made within the Armed forces, whilst making them resent the Armed forces as a whole.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were compassionately discharged from the Armed Forces. It has taken them years to accept their sexuality. They say they even got married to hide the fact that they were gay, as they were so afraid of being thrown out of the Navy
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. This included being investigated, with one interview lasting 12 hours. They were also subject to medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces after being deemed a ‘security risk’.
After re-entering the Army with the Army Cadets, they were told not to return, and had their room searched, due to previous discharge for being gay, this left them feeling humiliated. They were made to feel they were not ‘normal’ due to their sexuality.
They were embarrassed at being escorted everywhere in front of everyone; to the toilet, to eat.
After being discharged, they were devastated. The individual remembers being petrified of telling their family which they had to do as they had nowhere to go upon discharge. They were so sad that they lost lots of Army friends. Many were in fear of being associated with them. They continued to hide their sexuality from people in the first 10-15 years after their discharge.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were investigated and offered legal representation but their answers satisfied the senior officer and it was taken no further. Pressure to fit the heterosexual norm resulted in withdrawal from social situations and team events, and faking heterosexual relationships due to the pressure to fit in. They detail feeling they lived a lie and could never put their guard down. This created very distant relationships with colleagues at work, and also with their family who the individual would avoid if they thought they would be put into a situation where their sexuality might be revealed.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated where the individual states the interview lasted eight hours.
During their time in the military, the individual hid their sexuality and led a double life, which still affects them today.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, especially as someone had remarked on their records that they were tomboy. After one of their friends was pressured into giving names, the individual was black-marked, followed and questioned why they spent time talking to certain people. After an interview, the individual complained to their CO about their treatment who told them they should act like a lady, be careful of the company they keep and get an opposite-sex partner.
They lost many friends during this time, and began to live in fear of being thrown out. Although they loved their job, they felt they had to leave before they were forced to, and left the military with an exemplary record, but they felt ashamed and destroyed.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1994 in the British Army and experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. At one stage, they were accused of confessing to colleagues that they were LGBT while drunk. This resulted in a transfer and their demotion, and worked up to the same rank again, before being demoted again at their discharge from the Armed Forces. During the investigation, their locker and family home were searched and they were played in a cell without being charged. They were told that they were lucky that they were not sent to military prison.
Following discharge, they suffered a breakdown in their family relationships and found it difficult to find employment. They also struggled with substance abuse and problems controlling anger, which caused a violent offence and imprisonment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. This included a medical examination where they were sent to a military psychiatrist who said that the Army needed to change its ways. They were dismissed dishonourably from the Armed Forces at the age of 24, discarded, disowned and their future destroyed. They express that their life was irrevocably changed within hours causing extreme mental health issues. They felt they were left to rot, suicidal and broken. They suffered PTSD and developed serious addictions. They also engaged in high risk sexual activity, due to being sheltered from sexual health advice and education in the army, this led to them contracting HIV, and subsequently their life fell apart. They were admitted to the priory mental hospital for Complex PTSD and addictions as an inpatient for three months. The individual was suicidal due to previous exemplary career. Dismissed at the age of 24 and future destroyed. This individual is still impacted today.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included medical examination or treatment. They were administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and the individual never financially recovered and were not able to secure good employment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1982 in the Royal Navy. They were investigated and oppressively questioned regarding their sexuality, despite there being no evidence that investigators could present. They began a relationship, and the partner’s relative did not accept this and threatened to tell the Navy. They state that they had far too much pride in having served to take the risk of a dishonourable discharge from the job and life they loved, so after 14 years’ service they reluctantly walked away clear. Had this threat not been hanging over them, they would have completed their 22 years full service.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and believe that due to their investigations, this delayed any progress within their military career. The individual was investigated three times: the first time was during a general investigation by the SIB; the second was a SIB individual investigation where the questioning made the individual feel sick and scared; the third was with the WRAC who threatened they would bring back the SIB if the individual did not comply. At this stage, the individual signed whatever was asked. During the third investigation, the individual was put into a cell and was not allowed to talk to colleagues. They were deemed a ‘security risk’. They were subsequently administratively discharged with ‘Services No Longer Required’ from the Armed Forces.
Upon their departure, they sofa-surfed at a friend of a friend and suffered financial hardship. They lost contact with their family for about a year and to this day have not told them why they left the Army. The individual found working outside the military very difficult and struggled to form friendships. They have never got over the shame from their experience and it has had a huge impact on all aspects of their life, causing the individual to question everything about themselves and feel ashamed.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated three times. Before the third investigation, the individual tried to take their own life resulting in the third investigation and was made to sign a document under duress. These investigations hindered a promotion for the individual and subsequently dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. The nature of dismissal was due to general hostility towards LGBT personnel. Since leaving the military, the individual has suffered with a number of mental health issues.
They felt that their promotion was delayed due to a ‘witch hunt’ that lasted until they left the service. It affected their working and social standing. The individual describes feeling humiliated, scared, physically sick and socially withdrawn. It felt like they were living a double life, not able to express themselves for fear of being rejected.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality resulting in the individual being extremely cautious about talking to anyone about their sexuality for fear of recriminations or violence. During their service, senior leadership would publicly argue that allowing gay people to serve in the Forces was detrimental to the effectiveness of the Navy. This did not change once the ban was lifted, and the individual continued to hide their sexuality post-2000.
They were singled out which was deeply traumatic for them, and the language that was widely used was derogatory and the individual felt it was designed to paint gay people as subhuman and only worthy of ridicule and contempt.
They were made to feel ashamed of who they were. Not only was there overwhelming negativity regarding gay people throughout their entire career, but they felt that they had to lie continually about who they were. They state that it was exhausting and had a significant impact on their mental health. This had a detrimental impact on their relationship at the time. Their experience remains an impact on their life. They decided to take early retirement due to the stress of pretending to be someone else.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1970 in the Royal Air Force and had an exemplary record with a number of promotions. However, once they began a same-sex relationship, the individual became aware of a senior monitoring their movements resulting in an unfavourable posting. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included a degrading, threatening and intrusive investigation after their partner was arrested for stealing and the SIB found letters from the individual. They were presented with a statement from their partner confirming their relationship but it was not in their writing. A SIB officer then produced an untrue statement and coerced the individual into signing. Once the statements had been signed, both parties were released due to being a ‘security risk’. The individual was arrested pending a further investigation including searching their room and belongings and asked if they wanted to see a psychiatrist.
The individual was dishonourably discharged with ‘Services No Longer Required’ and felt as though their lives shattered. This made it difficult for new employment having to explain why they were dishonourably discharged and find accommodation without a job.
LGBT Veteran who served in the Royal Air Force. The individual was arrested and questioned regarding their sexuality. There was aggressive lengthy questioning, rooms were searched and possessions thrown. After leaving, this individual experienced financial struggles, homelessness and alcohol problems.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality after being ‘outed’ by an ex-partner. They detail what followed was an intrusive investigation where they were interviewed for three days and that it was humiliating and they needed medical attention afterwards.
They recall the circumstance of their sudden departure meant they had to explain to their parents why they were leaving the Army suddenly and they had difficulty finding suitable employment after leaving the military and left without any care or counselling being offered and still suffer nightmares to this day. They detail the use of antidepressants which they have been on and off since leaving the Army and still feeling acutely angry about their treatment.
They were dismissed and stated that it took them a year to find employment.
Currently serving military personnel, who served between 1983 and 2000 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, and detailed a culture of uncertainty, fear and tension for all. The individual suspects the culture created weakened working relationships and limited progress for some. They were aware of some openly gay colleagues who were successful in their careers. They were aware of the ‘witch hunts’ of colleagues with undercover operations to try and expose homosexuality.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. The individual was asked to open their home for searching. A senior officer influenced this individual against their will into a relationship. The individual had a highly successful civilian career, possibly achieving more than, or certainly accomplished things they couldn’t have done, if they had stayed in the RAF. However, their motivation was often to prove to themselves or others that they were better, and in part out of anger, which they describe as powerful but not healthy motivators. They surmise that their achievements have not brought happiness or lessened the shame and humiliation they experienced, and if anything, often highlighted it.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated twice and being put under pressure to confess, including entrapment and scare tactics – the investigation cost the individual a promotion. This resulted in destroying personal letters and photos to avoid suspicion. The individual was also subject to medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They were investigated, oppressively interviewed, and threatened with imprisonment. Their room was also searched. Colleagues found out about the investigation and the individual felt ostracised and humiliated. They admitted their sexuality during the investigations, to which the individual was offered ECT (electric shock therapy). If they accepted, they would be able to remain within the RAF as they would be cured of their mental illness. They were also asked if they admitted to their sexuality in order to leave the RAF. They declined ECT and were subsequently discharged. They became homeless and jobless following discharge and struggled with both their mental health and their ongoing family relationships. They felt unable to socialise for fear of questions regarding their love life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1999 and 2000 in the British Army. During their time in the military, the individual experienced taunting, bullying and grotesque language. Although they were not formally investigated, they were questioned about photos that were found.
When the ban was lifted, colleagues were told leadership didn’t care about people’s sexuality as long as they were not told about it. The individual remained feeling unable to be open about their sexuality.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 2000 in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. They say that they suspected they were gay when they joined the Navy, but as they got older their sexuality became clearer to them. This led to the realisation that, due to the rule banning LGBT members of the military, they were going to either have to leave the job that they enjoyed or deny a part of their life that was going to become increasingly significant. Despite enjoying their job and feeling that they had some significant chance of promotion, they decided that it was best to leave to escape the inevitable of being caught and discharged. They felt the embarrassment would have been too much for them and their family. They felt dirty and ashamed and ultimately, they resigned. They are now in a same-sex marriage to the person they have been with for 18 years, and they look back on their time in the military with fondness.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1990 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They recall serving for seven years in constant fear that it would be discovered they were LGBT and witnessed the humiliation, incarceration, and forced medical intervention that other LGBT Service personnel were subjected to. They eventually left service as early as their contract would allow and stated that they always felt on the verge of discovery.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force, where they led a double life throughout. The individual was initially arrested falsely on suspicion of using illegal substances and subjected to a room search, where various items were recovered suggesting their sexuality. They were interrogated for many hours and asked to describe, in intimate detail, their sexual activities with men. They were also told to name others they knew to be homosexual. At the end of the investigation, the individual had a breakdown and attempted to take their own life. The individual was sent to a military detention centre where they were physically abused and degraded, resulting in the individual feeling traumatised. They were offered ECT to ‘cure’ their condition; the individual was made to sign a disclaimer for refusing treatment. The individual was administratively discharged with ‘Services No Longer Required’ from the Armed Forces. They were given a few hours to clear their things and leave the base. This resulted in homelessness. The individual did get a job and was able to afford a bedsit, but soon became depressed and turned to alcohol abuse and gambling.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1998 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. They were questioned and admitted to being gay. Subsequently they were administratively discharged after 20 years of exemplary service at the rank of Sergeant. Shortly after the individual’s confession, they were subject to a psychological examination. After the individual told seniors they were gay, they were treated with respect and told they would still have to follow orders as, although the world was changing, the ban on homosexuality was still in place. They recall how they went back and told their squadron they had just told the RAF they were gay. The response was that not a single on-the-ground crew cared about their sexuality, more that the individual would be leaving. It appeared the process of removing homosexuals from the military did not reflect the feelings of friends and colleagues. However, they explain homophobia did become apparent when a colleague from another squadron moved tables at breakfast for fear of ‘catching’ homosexuality or through fear of being branded as a queer, just sitting with the individual. After life in the RAF, the individual found a similar role as a mechanic but was unable to recover financially and had to couch surf with friends. They suffered a breakdown after some years due to the loss of RAF life and nearly took their own life, only to be saved by some old military friends.
Non-LGBT personnel who still serves and served between 1979 and 1994 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. During their service, they recall an individual wanting to leave the military as they found it hard being gay and being surrounded by men. The individual was put in the Guards’ room for their own safety and discharged, with the reason told to the rest of the regiment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, which included being threatened by their boss that if they did not sleep with them, they would report the individual for being gay. The individual did not participate. They did get opposite-sex partners to avoid suspicion, but they continued to feel watched and unable to be themselves. They were investigated, cautioned or warned due to the ban.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality.
They were subject to an investigation due to their sexuality and placed in a cell. They admitted their sexuality under stress and duress. Their room was searched, and they were made to see a psychiatrist who asked the individual very personal questions.
The individual was dismissed from the Armed Forces without any support. They started to hate themselves, became very withdrawn and suffered from panic attacks. They became secretive with family, which put a strain on their relationship, and couldn’t settle into another form of employment.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1974 in the Royal Air Force. The homosexuality ban in the military caused the individual to feel confusion and self-loathing. They were investigated in what they describe as a ‘witch hunt’ in Cyprus which included searching through their room and personal effects. The individual describes it as they were made to feel like a criminal and did not receive any support. During their questioning, the individual was asked to identify anyone else they knew to be gay. On a couple of occasions, they revealed the names of known lesbians in order to deflect attention. After questioning, they were sent to the camp psychiatrist for four days.
Their experience resulted in the individual self-harming and getting into heterosexual relationships to try and make themselves like the opposite-sex. During this time, the individual was promoted and sent on another posting. However, many others were getting promoted in a shorter time. It was found that the interviews were on their records. This delayed the individual’s promotion due to the need for a two-year clean record sheet.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Armed Forces They lived in fear of being found out and professed to entering into a heterosexual marriage because they feared being found out.
LGBT Veteran who served in the Royal Navy. The individual was bullied and assaulted in front of other military personnel. Their sexuality was already being questioned so the individual didn’t feel comfortable reporting any events. They were scared and mentally traumatised by hiding. The individual felt vilified and these feelings still affect the veteran to this day.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 2000 in the Royal Navy and were aware of the ban upon joining. They concealed being sexuality during their Service and felt it was hard to trust people and, as a result, chose not to confide in others. The individual believes this had a psychological influence on their performance including their leadership potential. They were honoured with an MBE for their Service.
LGBT Veteran who served in the Royal Air Force. The individual was subject to homophobic bullying and harassment. The individual was discharged from the armed forces and had an overwhelming feeling of shame. Investigations were emotionally abusive. This led to the breakdown of the individual’s marriage and family. The individual utilised Christianity throughout his life to try and subdue feelings of shame.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1967 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. They were an officer of the Military Police who conducted investigations into alleged homosexuality. They are happy that the rules have now changed.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. They were removed from a foreign posting and moved through two others for their own safety. They were stripped and swabbed, and their clothes taken for evidence. They were bullied for their sexuality and told they would be on the Sex Offenders Register for their ‘crimes’.
LGBT Veteran who at the time of serving was not particularly aware of their sexuality. Once they realised their orientation, they kept their feelings hidden and got married. They witnessed colleagues and friends ongoing investigations based on their sexuality which led the individual leaving the military at age 20. They describe the SIB investigations as ‘witch hunt’. After they left the military, it took the individual 10 years to come out. The individual is not active within the LGBT community nor wants to.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1990 in the Royal Navy (WRAC). They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality, this included being investigated. The individual was bullied by supervisors and falsely accused of homosexual activity. They were also interrogated and shouted at, stating that they were a disgrace to call themselves a soldier and made to sign what they remember being told was a MoD warning. They were told that their room had been searched and investigators were concerned that there were no letters from home in their personal possessions. They were then told that they had been discharged from the Army for ‘Services No Longer Required’.
Ultimately, they had to lie to their family and say that they had paid to leave the army early, as no one within their family unit knew that they were gay. It had an impact on their mental health.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They recall being placed under surveillance by SIB officers who followed them to see what venues they entered in several towns. They were investigated and recalled in one hearing where there was not sufficient evidence and they were not dismissed. Following this, surveillance and harassment from military police continued. In a second hearing, they admitted they were LGBT and were subsequently discharged.
Following discharge, they began work in the NAAFI but when security clearance was removed they lost this job too. These circumstances led to them becoming homeless, having alcohol dependence and severe financial difficulties.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated where they had their room aggressively searched with the individual made to stand outside. The individual had to stand throughout being interviewed (about 2-3 hours) and was not offered refreshments nor support. They were asked a lot of questions around ‘who would be the male in the relationship’ outside the military. During the investigation, the individual was put on leave until they could be flown back from their posting and placed into solitary working conditions. They were eventually dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. On departure, the individual did not tell family nor prospective employers the reason for dismissal. They describe feeling dirty, ashamed, rejected, alone, scared without support from the military. They stayed with a friend on their living room floor, then B&Bs and slept in cars due to suffering financial hardship, fainting on numerous occasions due to lack of food.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. This added insecurity, stress and anxiety to what was already an off the scale stressful and worrying moment in their life. They were often on the receiving end of catcalling when walking across the parade ground, or other sexualised and derogatory comments. Whilst they thoroughly enjoyed their life in the Army, every day had an element of fear associated with it. This left a lasting effect, and therefore was a constraint on their life, making them avoid risk, living scared, easily intimidated, and fearful. Being self-aware and afraid became a normal disposition.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army, where the individual felt they had to hide their true self on a daily basis and remained secretive. They were soon investigated after they were reported being seen with their partner, leading to their arrest and caution. Their room was searched without their presence. During the interview, where the individual was asked intrusive questions without representation, they admitted to the charges. Following the interview, they were confined to the barracks. Although they were told they could stay in the military as a cook or a driver, the individual felt ‘marked’ and unable to go through future investigations, especially as a colleague had been told to see if the individual was gay. They were subsequently administratively discharged from the Armed Forces for ‘Services No Longer Required’.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army. They were involved in implementing and enforcing the ban, serving in the Royal Military Police. They conducted raids on accommodation blocks to see if colleagues of the same-sex sharing rooms were partners. This included measuring the gaps between beds. If such a gap was deemed too small, this would be recorded as positive evidence of homosexuality. They say they wish they could apologise to all the colleagues whose rooms they searched in this way. They believe that LGBT people are no different to anyone else whom they served with.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual had a discreet relationship at the time which led to them being investigated. This included a room and locker search and took personal letters to try and prove the individual’s sexuality. Both the individual and their partner were under investigation for six months with fabricated evidence, with interviews lasting hours where the individual was called ‘disgusting’ and accused of sleeping with their own mother. Friends stopped talking to them for fear of association. The investigator called the individuals’ parents to inform them of the relationship; causing family problems. The couple broke up as they felt it was better to be single or get an opposite-sex partner to stop the hunt. Later on, in their career, the individual was found with a friend in their room fully clothed on separate beds after a night of drinking. They were both put under investigation. Subsequently the individual was sent to the medical officer and told they needed therapy as they were ‘not normal’ and ‘not of sound mind’. They were then administratively discharged for ‘services to longer required’ from the Armed Forces five weeks after admitting their sexuality. They then tried to join the police soon after leaving but were told they would not be accepted due to what was written in their red book. It is important to note that their Commandant Colonel was away at the time and, on their return, was shocked the matter had been pushed through in their absence as they would have posted the individual away for six months for it all to blow over. Some investigators were also gay but were verbally abusive during investigations to deflect any suspicion onto themselves.
Their experience in the military resulted in them being scared to form relationships and unable to sleep well. They did not feel they could go home and became an emotional wreck, losing weight and drinking a lot. They had no money, friends nor family for support. They were told their name was listed in the guardroom and banned from camp, with young recruits told to stay away from the individual as they were a bad influence and corrupted young recruits.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1978 in the Army. During their time in the military they fell in love with a civilian resulting in the individual making their situation known to their commanding officer. The individual states they were treated very well despite the circumstances, with the commanding officer telling the individual that if they could pretend they didn’t know about it they would be welcomed back with open arms. The individual refused and the Commandant wrote a supportive letter to the Army Board stating they acted honourably. Despite this, the Army Board asked them to resign – they were allowed to keep their pension. They had also experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned.
During their departure, the individual did receive supportive counselling.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the British Army. Following seeing military police at a local gay club they presented themselves to their CO in the hope of an honourable discharge. The events greatly impacted their life and they were left homeless for a period. Their family relations broke down. Not only is this individual suffering with the emotional impacts they also have to deal with the financial losses.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality including prolonged periods of bullying by fellow colleagues; officers and seniors witnessed this but did not intervene – it was seen to be ‘banter’. This became so severe the individual slept with a knife under their pillow.
The individual describes the effect of the ban as not being able to be their authentic self at work, resulting in mental health issues such as depression and alcohol abuse. They made a decision to apply for redundancy and lost their career, friends and lifestyle.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the Royal Air Force and were discharged. They detail being subjected to harassment regarding their sexuality from colleagues, including from more senior ranks. They were in a relationship with another member of the RAF of the same-sex. Investigated by military police due to their partner admitting when interrogated that they were in a relationship. They recall hours of oppressive questioning followed until they also admitted their relationship. They were subsequently discharged, and felt unable to tell friends and family while they were still coming to terms with their sexuality. Their experience of investigation, discharge, and homophobia in the RAF affected their long-term mental health.
Non-LGBT personnel who served in the Royal Air Force in the 1980s. They witnessed colleagues being investigated by SIB Officers who were intrusive and threatening. They say that Officers threatened to tell colleagues’ families about their suspected sexuality and put pressure on them to name other LGBT people. They say they saw people shamed, traumatised, and dismissed from jobs they loved.
LGBT Veteran who still serves but also served between 1975 and 2000 in the Royal Navy and were unaware of the ban upon joining. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were regularly briefed on the ‘wrongs of being gay’ and that homosexuality was a threat to national security. The individual led a double life and faked relationships to avoid suspicion. After being summoned to the Captain’s cabin, they were asked directly if they were gay, which they denied. This was accepted, although the individual then had to brief colleagues they were not gay which had a huge impact on their interpersonal relationships. The individual avoided mixing their military life with their personal life for fear of being caught, even using a different name with friends outside the military, even after the ban was lifted in the armed forces.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the British Army. They left the military voluntarily due to the ban.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated by the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) after they were followed, which included a room search, an interview under oath, and medical examination or treatment. The individual was told it would be better for them if they admitted their sexuality, which they did not and the case was dropped. However, the individual thought at this time that they were going to be dismissed by the Army and therefore felt forced to come out to their family before they were ready; this caused a strain on their relationship.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1974 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. At the time of the ban, some of their friends were frightened to be associated with them because they were constantly being investigated. They themselves were terrified that they were going to be discharged as they lived their life in the Army and thought it would be a long-term job for the individual. They suffered from PTSD because of the ban and lost some very good friends. The individual was also subjected to a lot of bullying because of it, from mainly male and female colleagues. This impacted the individual’s ability to form meaningful relationships throughout their life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force and left by purchase. They knew about their sexuality upon joining but disregarded it as serving in the military was more important. This suppression caused issues for the individual in later life. The weight of fear of discovery was significant. During their time in the military, the individual kept to themselves and avoided social situations in order to avoid talking about their private life. The secrecy around their sexuality resulted in the individual unable to form any sort of relationship for many years and sharing private thoughts is still difficult to this day. It took many years for the individual to settle into civilian life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1970 in the British Army who was unable to achieve a promotion during their time. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were subject to investigation over several days. The investigations included having their belongings searched and removed. This was followed by interviews with a psychiatrist and visits to a medical centre. On their departure for ‘Services No Longer Required’, the individual felt ashamed and embarrassed and felt unable to tell their family the real reason why they left which is still true today. The individual was not offered any support; they were given a train ticket and taken to the train station. They did go on to have a career and a civil partnership.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 1986 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated after a complaint was sent to the military police. They were subject to oppressive questioning which the individual refused to answer. After their interview, their room was searched before being taken back to HQ for more questioning. They were subsequently dishonourably discharged from the Armed Forces, with their red book stating ‘Services No Longer Required’ – this made it difficult for the individual to find alternative employment. They remain proud of their military career.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality.
The individual describes the culture as verbally abusive, with constant jibes, jokes and being ridiculed. This caused the individual to suffer from anxiety and depression during their service. They felt helpless and that they had no control over anything in their life at that moment in time.
They felt publicly humiliated when they were called out as ‘camp’ over the tannoy system. When the individual could no longer take the verbal abuse, they admitted to being gay and were immediately locked in a room with a guard posted outside. Their belongings were put into sacks and told to leave. When they reported to the Master, the individual was told that they were not fit to wear the uniform.
They were investigated and subject to an interview where the individual was asked personal and intimate questions. They also underwent medical examination or treatment. The individual was made to feel dirty, depraved, abnormal and unfit to do their job. They were subsequently dismissed from the Armed Forces and had their medals or conduct badges removed.
After their departure from the military, the individual suffered from low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, and found it difficult to find employment. They became estranged from their family for over a year. They had no financial nor emotional support and contemplated taking their own life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1979 and 2000 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned on multiple occasions. They had personal possessions scrutinised and confiscated. When an investigation was going on they always felt sick inside but couldn’t talk to anyone and had to pretend that all was good, they even had to pretend that they had opposite-sex partners.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual felt that the only way to join up to the RAF was to deny their sexuality and become celibate. They were being dishonest and did not respect themselves and were unable to trust the organisation they had vowed to Serve. They had an inability to develop substantial loving relationships until the law changed in 2000, this made them ill, and impacted their career.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They were honourably discharged from the Armed Forces but they were told that they were deferring their entry to the Commissioning Course, discharging them and that they could return in the future. This did not turn out to be the case. They lost the entirety of their career and after two years they ended up with nothing. It probably impacted their mental health more than they ever noticed and they say that they probably hid behind a script of how they talk about it.
LGBT Veteran who served in the Royal Navy and were dismissed. Although discharged administratively which did not impact career opportunities as badly, the individual was still distressed and received no support. While serving this individual was subject to unwanted sexual advances by an Officer.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1990 in the British Army. Their private letters with another soldier they were in love with were found by SIB during a search for drugs. Following this, they were harassed and interrogated by SIB on a weekly basis for months, who tried to get them to reveal identities of other LGBT service personnel. They were discharged, and subsequently struggled with their mental health and adjustment to civilian life.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1990 in the Royal Air Force. They disclosed their sexuality to a friend who was indiscreet and the RAF police became aware. They were interrogated by RAF police and their personal belongings were searched. They were moved to another base as a result of this suspicion. At this other base, they began seeing a colleague of the same-sex. A medic at their previous base then leaked their sexuality to someone at the new base. Once this was known at the new base, the veteran attempted suicide and was subsequently detained in a military psychiatric hospital. They were also made to undergo questionable medical examinations relating to their sexuality after leaving hospital. The colleague they were seeing before their own suicide attempt had since sadly taken their own life. They tried to initiate legal action against the Armed Forces in recent years but were told that it was too late after more than three years. They are now suffering severely from Functional Neurological Disorder, which is a condition where psychological stress and trauma is converted into physical symptoms.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality including verbal abuse and other colleagues threatening to expose the individual’s sexuality. The individual was investigated, including being followed off-duty, followed by visits from the psychiatrist, which involved the individual being told that their thoughts and feelings were negative to society. Fellow colleagues distanced themselves from the individual in fear they would be investigated by association.
Both the individual and their partner were dismissed for ‘Services No Longer Required’ which resulted in both blaming each other for the loss of their career. They both suffered with physical, drug and alcohol abuse with the individual unable to hold down a job, resulting in the individual living in their car for a few months, and the individual states that their parents had very little to do with them also.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and they did not feel safe within the military as they forever had to look over their shoulder. They were in a same-sex relationship at the time and they wrote to each other in code. The SIB got hold of some of these letters and pulled the individual into an interview. They did not want to lose their medals and pension and therefore gave their 12 months’ notice. This was then withdrawn as the individual was asked to do another posting.
Leaving the military was cruel and soul destroying for the individual. They were then forced to admit their sexuality to their parents which was difficult, stressful and upsetting. Since their departure, the individual suffers from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Due to the investigation, the individual split up with their partner as they were both suffering from mental health issues at the time.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were investigated and subject to in depth intimate questions which just seemed voyeuristic, unprofessional and unnecessary. This included medical examination where they were referred for a medical interview and a consultation with a Naval Surgeon Psychiatrist. At this consult, Electrical Aversion Therapy Treatment was discussed which they declined. Ultimately, they were administratively discharged following disclosure of their sexuality, they state that they refused to become a victim.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1967 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned and medical examination or treatment. They were dismissed or administratively discharged from the Armed Forces and had their medals or conduct badges removed. The nature of dismissal was due to the individual feeling unable to pursue the career within the military because of the general hostility towards LGBT personnel.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 1986 in the British Army. They felt the pressure of hiding the fact they were LGBT and did not want to continue hiding. Therefore, they disclosed their sexuality before it was discovered. They were required to undergo invasive psychological assessment before they were administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. They express that everyone tried to make them feel ashamed but they refused to be a victim and feel shame. They highlighted that their Service was during a time of increased discrimination against LGBT people in the public sphere, which made things more difficult. They believe that they were extremely depressed but because of their strong character, they were able to cope. They struggled to gain employment because of the nature of their ‘Services No Longer Required’ discharge, despite their exemplary prior record. The Army gave them no support on re-entry to civilian life. Their discharge also affected their relationship with their family. They describe themselves as always having an optimistic outlook on life, and a feeling that wrongs will eventually be made right.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 1994 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were investigated twice, with no real evidence found in either case. During investigations, they were intrusively interrogated for many hours. Following the second investigation they were discharged.
They state that when they were discharged they had no hearing, and there was no evidence other than a single letter alleging they were LGBT. Their world fell apart. This has had a profound impact on their life, and left them bitter. The nature of their discharge meant that they felt they had to hide their sexuality when they applied to work for the police. They were rejected from this role because they had lied. Their confidence was shattered and still to this day they have flashbacks. They were ashamed of who they were, leaving them with anger issues.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the Royal Air Force. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They felt a constant threat of being monitored. This affected their interaction with friends and family for fear of involving them. This included being investigated after an accusation of inappropriate behaviour and their partner arrested. The individual was arrested (without being told why) and their room searched; they were not offered any support. They were not able to return to their room and had to stay in the Guards’ room until their release.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1987 and 2000 in the British Army as a reservist. Although the individual wanted to join the regulars, they felt they couldn’t due to the ban on homosexuality and felt as a reservist they could more easily keep their lifestyle separate from the military. During training, it was apparent from rumours that the secrecy and the requirement for soldiers to hide their sexuality created fear and intimidation, including bullying. The individual lied about their relationships and often dated those from the opposite-sex so as not to arouse suspicion – this led into sexual relationships. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. A male officer, who the individual thought to be a friend, reported them and felt obliged to do so. This resulted in the individual being told they either resigned or face investigation with court martial. The individual details how this remains one of their most stressful experiences of their life, and fills them with shame. If there was not a ban in place, the individual would have joined the regular army.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1991 and 1998 in the British Army. They recall witnessing homophobia among colleagues and senior officers and felt under pressure to keep their sexuality a secret, particularly when undergoing vetting. They recall witnessing homophobia, which standing up to put them in a precarious position.
They left voluntarily so they would not have to hide that they were LGBT.
Non-LGBT personnel who served between 1971 and 2000 in the British Army. They witnessed people being treated unfavourably due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality and were involved in implementing and enforcing the ban. As the individual was in charge of a unit and therefore responsible for their soldiers, they were required to report and deal with those who were known or suspected of being gay. However, at the time, the individual thought the ban was stupid, unfair and short-sighted, and saw many excellent people being discharged, of which would have gone on to have a successful career.
One on occasion, the individual witnessed a soldier seeking advice from their CO because they were having gay thoughts. The soldier was sent to the Unit Medical Officer and subsequently discharged as ‘temperamentally unsuitable’ and therefore ‘Services No Longer Required’.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1983 and 2000 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. This included being investigated, cautioned or warned. They experienced several humiliating and degrading investigations, detailing one in particular where they were denied privacy when using the toilet.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 1998 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual confided in an officer who they thought would be sympathetic and understanding, but resulted in the individual’s immediate removal from their training course. They worked away from colleagues for two weeks whilst being interviewed almost every day about their personal life, including sexual activities past and present until they were administratively discharged from the Armed Forces. On their departure, they had nowhere to go with no help, support or advice from the military. The departure resulted in depression and financial hardship for the individual who became both homeless and jobless and turned to subsistence abuse.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the British Army. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. To avoid a court martial, they opted for Premature Voluntary Release (PVR). The PVR included having to see a Psychiatrist, who they recall, called them ‘a ‘poof’ and kicked them out of their office. They were then jailed. They claim the experience ‘wreaked’ them and that they were bullied and beaten up, and lost their service friends. The experience led them to drink heavily, and feeling shame, broke, with no pension.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1975 and 1982 in the Royal Air Force. They encountered unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality. This included an unwanted posting into what they describe as a cleaning role despite being a qualified nurse. They described this as punishment. They report being constantly watched even on their down time, having phone calls listened to, and being isolated from their friends. They reported lasting six months before they bought their way out at their own expense.
LGBT Veteran who served between 1995 and 1998 in the Royal Navy. They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality, and there was a lot of pressure to sleep with people of the opposite-sex. Their mental health was affected as they had to hide their true self in order not to get caught. They were medically discharged after they decided to come out after the ban was lifted. This included a mental health assessment. This affected the individual’s life and their relationships.
LGBT veterans who served in the UK armed forces between 1967 and 2000
They experienced unfavourable treatment due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. They were investigated, cautioned or warned due to their sexuality or perceived sexuality. The individual was reported by an ex-partner which resulted in SIB investigation. They were threatened, harassed and blackmailed. The individual still struggles with the trauma and decides to buy themselves out of the service. There has never been any support provided.