Veterans who were victims of homophobia in the British armed forces say Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government is taking too long to publish a damning report on the historic treatment of LGBTQ people in the military.
A government-commissioned review says gay soldiers were subjected to electric shock therapy in an attempt to alter their sexuality, as well as blackmail, bullying and sexual assault over more than three decades, Bloomberg News revealed last month. A ban on gay personnel serving in the military was only lifted in 2000.
LGBTQ veterans hoped the report, which urges Sunak to apologize for their treatment, would be published in time for an event in London on Thursday evening with former military personnel and the chairman of the independent review. But government representatives who attended gave no indication when it would be made public, nor if any of its recommendations will be implemented, according to people who were present.
The document “will be the first time that they will see something which actually tells the story of what truly happened to them,” said Craig Jones, executive chair of Fighting With Pride, a charity that supports LGBTQ veterans. “We know that the report was presented to the government two weeks ago, and we’re hurtling toward the parliamentary recess — and I think it was reasonable that the veterans expected that they would have sight of the report by now.”
“We are proud of our LGBT+ veterans and grateful for their service in defence of our nation,” a government person said in a response to request for comment. “In line with the terms of reference we will carefully consider the findings and respond in due course.”
Read more: Sunak Told to Apologize for UK Treatment of Gay Veterans
“The government hasn’t got the courage to actually respect and acknowledge and publish the report,” said Patrick Lyster-Todd, 68, who left the Navy in 1992. During 20 years of service, he was never able to be out as LGBTQ.
It also needs to adhere to the recommendations of the report, such as Sunak making an apology, Lyster-Todd said. “He’s doing it on behalf of the nation, he’s doing it on behalf of all his predecessors who’s got it And those whose careers were so damaged need to be recompensed.”
Many of the veterans are now hoping the report won’t be buried completely, said Tremaine Cornish, 67, a former soldier. “There’s anger and embitterment, deep embitterment, because it’s affected our core being.”
Author: Olivia Konotey-Ahulu and Ellen Milligan
