Charities join forces to reach LGBT+ Veterans at risk of isolation

Charities have launched a campaign to reach older LGBT+ veterans, who have previously felt excluded from the Armed Forces community.

Age Scotland has published a new guide in partnership with Fighting with Pride, urging veterans to take advantage of the help and support that is available.

The guide has been launched to coincide with Armed Forces Day on Saturday (June 26) and Pride Month (June). It also comes at the 21st anniversary of the ending of the ban in LGBT+ people serving openly in the Armed Forces.

The Ministry of Defence recently introduced a policy to allow former Armed Forces personnel, dismissed from service solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, to apply to have their medals restored. Families of deceased LGBT+ veterans can also apply to have their medals returned.

But the charities are concerned that many older veterans still feel stigmatised by their experiences, and may feel excluded from the veterans’ community.

They believe that thousands of Scottish veterans may not be aware of the extra support that is available for them.

Craig Jones MBE, 53, a Royal Navy veteran, is a founder and joint Chief Executive of Fighting with Pride, a new charity specifically for LGBT+ veterans. He served in Rosyth and Faslane in the 1990s before the ban on serving openly was lifted.

He said:

“I was constantly worried someone would find out. There was this degree of paranoia. I met my husband while I was in the Navy, but I could never mention him – you couldn’t even say if you had a gay friend or relative. I felt that I was hiding a huge part of my life.

“I came out on the day the ban was lifted, but it took a long time for the culture to change. I realise that I was relatively lucky. Others lost their jobs, homes, and pensions, and some were even sent to prison.

“When I see the Armed Forces taking part in Pride marches, then I feel amazed by how much progress we’ve made.

“But we still have a long way to go to compensate older veterans. Many feel excluded and do not identify as veterans because of the way they were treated. Some feel that part of their lives has been erased.

"We need to do more to reach older LGBT+ veterans and send a strong message that they are very welcome in the veterans’ community.”

Doug Anthoney, Age Scotland’s Veterans’ Project Co-ordinator, said:

“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to show support for the Armed Forces community, in all its diversity. So what better time to say thank you to older veterans who are LGBT+ for their service, and to invite them make the most of opportunities and extra support on offer to them, which they can read about in this new guide.”

They are urging all older veterans to find out about support from Unforgotten Forces, a partnership of Armed Forces and civilian charities led by Age Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government, which aims to boost their health and well-being.

All its partners welcome older LGBT+ veterans, and are committed to providing support services that are respectful and responsive to their needs. Support also comes from new sources, including Fighting with Pride, Age Scotland's partner for the advice guide.

Charlie Wallace, the Scottish Veterans’ Commissioner, said:

“Looking back, it is hard to imagine that during my lifetime, Service personnel were forced to resign or were dishonourably discharged, solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It must have been a very scary place to find yourself where you were forced to hide your true identity or face losing your career. It is good to see that so much progress has been made.”

The new guide, aimed at veterans aged 60 and over, is available here or by calling the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.