LGBTQ+ veterans who had their medals removed or were discharged from the armed forces on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity can now reclaim their medals after the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched a scheme to correct this ‘historical wrong’. The new scheme comes after veteran Joe Ousalice successfully took the MoD to court after being forced to leave the Royal Navy in 1993 when his bisexuality was revealed to his colleagues. The 70-year-old subsequently had his medal for long service and good conduct returned to him.
Prior to 2000, a number of armed forces personnel were discharged from service on the basis of their sexuality. A statement on the government website reads: “Some received convictions under specified legislation for homosexual behaviour that has now been de-criminalised, while others were discharged solely on the basis of their sexuality, without any conviction.”
It continued: “In the course of their discharge, some personnel either forfeited medals directly, or were prevented from continuing to serve and thus denied the ability to regain medals that might previously have been forfeited for unrelated reasons. The MoD is committed to addressing this historical wrong and is introducing a policy which enables individuals to apply to have their medals restored.” Those who had their medals taken ‘solely on the basis of their sexuality’ can now apply to reclaim them by completing a form on gov.uk.
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