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# Government apologises for ban on gay people serving in the armed forces
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/government-apologises-for-ban-on-gay-people-serving-in-the-armed-forces/
- Published: 2020-01-11T11:53:09.000Z
- Updated: 2020-01-11T17:02:07.000Z
- Description: Government apologises for ban on gay people serving in the armed forces
- Author: Scene Editorial Team

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/skynews-mercer-gay-ban-military_4887408.png)

Twenty years after a ban on ‘homosexuals’ serving in the armed forces was lifted, the **British Government** has apologised for the first time.

Addressing a group of veterans at an event to mark the anniversary in the **Houses of Parliament**, **Johnny Mercer MP**, a Veteran himself, said the ban was *“unacceptable then and it is unacceptable now”*.

Mr Mercer, an Army veteran himself, said he wanted to say sorry because it was the right thing to do.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/johnny_mercer_rhecxn-2.jpg)

“If I am honest, it is hard to conceive – as a more contemporary veteran of our armed forces, the environment too many of you experienced when you were serving,” he said.

“Where being a member of the LGBT+ community would have got you detained, followed by a dishonourable discharge from the military, subjected to all manner of bullying and intimidation. Change is never easy; change is hard fought by some stoic individuals – for who I have supreme respect. Their experiences of serving in the Armed Forces were completely different to my own, and nowhere near what I would have wanted them to be. Volunteering to serve is an act of bravery in itself; to volunteer for the chaotic, challenging nature of service life and yet within that community, which so many of us are so proud of, experience discrimination of this sort is unacceptable.”

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/new-british-army-recruitment-campaign-tells-recruits-okay-gay-2.jpg)

During the event, the MP tweeted: *“Special day as we kick off a weekend of celebrations to mark 20 years since lifting the ridiculous ban on LGBT+ people serving in the military. I’m sorry for the experiences you had pre 2000; our Military is far better, far more effective, and better reflects our values, with you.”*

Until the ban was lifted in 2000, anyone found to be homosexual in the armed forces was dishonourably discharged and in some cases had medals removed.

A landmark case last month saw the **High Court** order medals to be returned to one veteran. More cases are expected to follow.