Fears 1,000 LGBT veterans could miss gay ban compensation deadline

At least 1,000 LGBT veterans who were thrown out of the armed forces for being gay face missing out on financial compensation, a military charity has warned.

Fighting With Pride, which campaigned for reparations for those impacted by the so-called "gay ban", estimates there are more than 1,000 "lost" veterans who have yet to come forward for help, with less than six months left to apply.

There are fears those who are not open about their sexuality, or are still too ashamed to admit what happened to them, could miss out on up to £70,000 and other support.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says it "deeply regrets" the treatment of LGBT veterans, and is "working hard" to publicise the schemes.

The decriminalisation of homosexuality began in the UK in 1967, but a law impacting LGBT service personnel lasted until the year 2000.

Those who were gay - or perceived to be gay - often faced intrusive interrogations, being "outed" to friends and family, and the shame of dishonourable discharge.

Karen Usher was 21 when she joined the Royal Air Force in 1990, and says years of feeling forced to hide her sexuality left her suffering a "mini-breakdown" while deployed in Italy.

After confiding in a padre - a military chaplain - the 56-year-old says she was reported to bosses and admitted to hospital, where she was held in isolation.

"They kept me segregated because of my sexuality, they didn't want me to be near anyone or even associate with anyone, they kept me separate until they could fly me home to the UK.

"My head was such a mess, I look back and can't believe what I was put through at that age."

Usher is one of more than 1,500 veterans who have applied for financial reparations from the Ministry of Defence as part of a scheme launched in 2024 to make amends for their suffering.

While she found out about it through social media, she told the BBC she worries the government "hasn't tried hard enough" to reach the most isolated and vulnerable.

"Some of the veterans, especially the older ones, were imprisoned for their sexuality," she says.

"It's disgusting they could miss out on what they're entitled to."

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the BBC: "We are working hard to make sure eligible veterans know these schemes are available to them, through collaborating with local councils, the NHS, and other organisations and charities."

Since the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme launched in 2024, affected veterans have been able to apply for payments between £1,000 and £70,000 depending on their circumstances.

Pam Johnson says she only became aware of the scheme in August 2025, after her partner had a chance encounter with another veteran, who told her about the help available and "gave her a push" to apply.

The 74-year-old joined the Women's Royal Army Corps in 1969, when she was stationed in Germany, working in signals intelligence to intercept enemy communications and track their manoeuvres.

She was just 17 when she joined, but she says it was her dream to follow in the footsteps of her father.

"I'd grown up around it, we used to joke that if you cut my dad, he'd bleed khaki," she says.

"In signals, we were separate from the other bases so we were so close-knit, like a little family."

But three years into her career, Johnson says her bosses found a love letter she had written to another female soldier.

She was interrogated, accused of being a spy, stripped of her security clearance and sent back to her unit in Guildford, where she was put on laundry duty.

She says the trauma made her feel forced to resign.

"I was horrified how they'd treated me, I was mentally in a mess, so out of desperation to run away from it all, I bought myself out of my contract."

In August 2025, Pam applied for restorative measures, and is still waiting to hear whether her application has been accepted.

"When it happens I'll be in tears of happiness," she says.

"It will just make me feel like they've finally accepted that what they did was wrong."

Peter Gibson, chief executive of Fighting With Pride, estimates there are more than 1,000 veterans in the same situation Pam was, who may not know about the scheme or don't feel comfortable coming forward.

"We know many felt so shunned and hurt by their brutal treatment that they have distanced themselves from both the military and the LGBTQ+ communities," he says.

He says those who do get in touch with them will have "complete confidentiality".

"We're determined to restore your pride and dignity in service," he says.

While there is no official database of those impacted by the ban, court martial records submitted to parliament estimated as many as 2,800 people were discharged under the so-called "gay ban".

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the BBC: "We are committed to righting these wrongs through tangible actions, including through the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme and Non-Financial Restorative Measures for those affected."

As well as financial reparations, veterans can also apply for restoration of rank, the return of berets and medals, and an "Etherton Ribbon" - a badge which recognises those who served under the ban.

Usher says the non-financial measures have helped rebuild her pride in her service.

"I feel like we are finally being recognised for our service, I can finally feel proud to say I'm a veteran."