Time running out for LGBTQ+ veterans to claim financial recognition over historic armed forces ban

LGBTQ+ veterans' campaigner Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL has urged former service personnel to check whether they are eligible for financial restorative measures worth up to £70,000 before applications close in December.

Listen back to the interview:

Veterans' rights campaigner and former LGBTQ+ adviser to Andy Burnham, Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL, has warned there are just six months left for former service personnel affected by the military's historic ban on homosexuality to apply for financial recognition from the Ministry of Defence.

Speaking exclusively to Gaydio Breakfast's Dave Cooper, Austin-Behan said the Government's LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, which opened in December 2024, will close at 11:59pm on 12 December 2026.

The scheme was introduced following the Independent Review into the treatment of LGBT veterans and provides a range of financial restorative measures for people affected by the ban on LGBTQ+ personnel serving in the Armed Forces between 1967 and January 2000.

Reflecting on his own experience of being discharged from the Royal Air Force in 1997 after serving a prison sentence when his sexuality became known, Austin-Behan said, "It's really important because there was injustice. People took their own lives, people were kicked out, families were ripped apart because of this ban."

The Battle for Lost Veterans campaign, launched by military charity Fighting With Pride, aims to raise awareness of the approaching deadline and help eligible veterans complete their applications.

Former service personnel who were dismissed because of their sexuality, or whose service was impacted by the ban, may be eligible to apply for financial restorative measures and other forms of recognition.

Peter Gibson, CEO of Fighting With Pride said, "We're determined to restore pride and dignity in service. We will help anyone impacted by the gay ban to apply for what is rightfully yours."

Successful applicants may be eligible for a range of restorative measures, including the restoration of medals and honours, up to £50,000 for those dismissed or discharged solely because of their sexuality, and a further £20,000 recognising the impact of serving under the ban.

If you or someone close to you was affected or impacted by the legislation you can find information on accessing support at the Fighting with Pride website https://www.fightingwithpride.org.uk/reparations/application-assistance/ or contact the Veterans UK hotline on Freephone (UK only) 0808 191 4218.