After a ban on the LGBTQ+ community serving in the army caused devastation to lives, the government has provided a grant to deliver the first step towards reparations.
Historic Memorial Announcement
A groundbreaking milestone in acknowledging the contributions and struggles of LGBT individuals in the armed forces has been announced,
A First for LGBTQ Community
The government has granted a veterans charity a significant amount of money to create the LGBTQ+ war memorial, the first of its kind.
Initiative by Fighting With Pride
The charity is called Fighting with Pride and supports army veterans who identify as LGBTQ+ after a dark history for the community in the British Army until recently.
Banned From the Army
Until the year 2000, it was illegal to be openly gay in the British Army, showing the discrimination still on display towards the LGBTQ+ community until just 24 years ago.
Government Grant Confirmation
Fast-forward to 2024, and the LGBTQ+ community now has its own war memorial after securing a £ 350,000 government grant.
Sunak’s Apology
Reflecting on the ban, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued an apology to the LGBTQ+ community, calling the ban “an appalling failure of the British state.”
Site for Memorial Confirmed
The memorial is set to be built at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, with plans on how to build the memorial already taking place.
Promising Representation
According to the CEO of Fighting with Pride, Craig Jones, insisted that the memorial would be representative for all groups.
A Place for “Peace and Reflection”
Jones said, “We want to make sure the memorial is representative and a place for the peace and reflection.”
Shocking Revelations From Pre-2000s
In many cases, soldiers joined the British Army only to be investigated for their sexuality, and often stripped of their right to serve as a result before the ban was lifted.
Careers Stripped From Veterans
Jones made it clear that the charity is fighting for the rights of those veterans after their careers were taken away from them for their sexuality.
Work to Be Done
According to Jones, “A great deal of work remains to be done to lift the veterans most affected by the ban from the poverty inflicted upon them after the loss of careers.”
Affect on Veterans’ Lives
Jones argued that as a result of the ban, many veterans spent their lives in poverty and suffered mental health issues.
Veterans Challenges Revealed
“Too many face crippling debt, poor housing, social isolation and live with poor health and wellbeing,” Jones said.
Lord Etherton’s Review
Last year, Lord Etherton conducted a review into the ill-treatment of the LGBTQ+ community serving in the British Army.
Lord Etherton Issues Recommendations
After the review, Lord Etherton issued 49 recommendations to the British government in order to provide reparations for the community and those affected by the ban.
Memorial Just the First Step
Craig Jones insisted that this memorial should be the first step in ensuring all 49 recommendations are met by the government this year.
2024 – The Year of Reparation
Jones said, “2024 must be the year in which all 49 of Lord Etherton’s recommendations for reparation are delivered.”
Prime Minister’s View on Trans Community
The current government has come under scrutiny for its treatment of LGBTQ+ people, especially the trans community, with the Prime Minister openly disagreeing with gender changes.
Labour Government to Fix Recommendations?
As the election occurs at the end of the year, could a Labour government be the answer to taking the recommendations seriously?
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The post Reparations to Queer Soldiers Banned From the Army Move Forward first appeared on Edge Media.
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