Craig Jones MBE, founder of LGBTQ+ veterans charity Fighting With Pride has led tributes after Lord Etherton, Britain’s first openly gay senior judge who led a review into the impact of a historical ban on LGBTQ+ serving personnel, passed away at the age of 73.

“Lord Etherton won the trust, respect and gratitude of veterans who had spent lives in the darkness, as he lifted them into the light,” said the former Royal Navy officer and LGBTQ+ advocate.

“He restored hope and was a champion for those who had felt their battle for justice long lost,” said Mr Jones.

“It was a great honour to support him as he worked to help make the military family complete, restoring the modern values of our Armed Forces to veterans’ communities across the UK.”

Lord Etherton’s report into the “gay ban” in the British Armed Forces revealed a culture of overt homophobia resulting in bullying, assaults and blackmail. His report made 49 recommendations to the government, including the clarification of pension rights and the payment of reparations to those who were dismissed. The Government has began making those payments, with LGBTQ+ veterans who are terminally ill having already received their compensation.

Ed Hall, chair of the Trustees of Fighting With Pride, said: “I gave evidence myself to Lord Etherton, as did many hundreds of others, and we all hoped the outcome would be positive.

“The truth, though, is that none of us had any expectation of the tremendous impact his report would have, and the way in which governments of both colours would warmly embrace his powerful recommendations.”

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