On this page you will find information about:
- LGBTQIA+ veterans support.
- How to apply for restorative measures.
- Submitting testimony to the Ministry of Defence.
In January 2022, Defence and the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA) co-commissioned the LGBT Veterans Independent Review to better understand the impact of the pre-2000 Ban on LGBTQIA+ personnel within the Armed Forces.
Government response to the LGBT Independent Review
If you, or someone you know, served under and was impacted by the Ban on LGBTQIA+ personnel in the Armed forces between 1967 and 2000, you may be eligible to apply for restorative measures.
Eligibility for Restorative Measures
People who served under the ban
Anyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, who was affected by the ban while serving in HM Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000 can apply for the restorative measures. This includes people who were affected under the ban but then continued to serve after 2000.
Not all restorative measures will apply to everyone. For example, someone who continued to serve after the ban was lifted in 2000 would not be eligible to apply for restoration of their beret as this would not be relevant to them.
Visit the GOV.UK website to check your eligibility for each measure.
A person of "Sufficient Interest" to someone deceased who served under the ban
If the person who served under the ban has died, a "person of significant interest" to them can represent the wishes of the deceased. This can be a relative, spouse, civil partner, long-term partner, child(ren), adopted family member or someone similar.
Pre-existing restorative measures
These measures were already available, or in progress, before the LGBT Independent review. You can apply via the separate application forms and processes as shown below:
Armed Forces Veterans Badge
If you have served in the HM Armed forces, including Volunteer and Regular Reserves, you are eligible for this badge. The badge aims to raise the profile of our veterans, helping the public to recognise service.
Find out more about the Armed Forces Veterans Badge on the GOV.UK website.
Complete the form below to apply:
Begin you application on GOV.UK.
Restoration of Medals
If you were discharged or dismissed solely on the basis of your sexuality, you can apply for any medals that were withheld or forfeited as a result.
Find out more about the guidance on the restoration of Military Medals and how to apply.
Disregard and Pardon scheme: having criminal convictions removed
If you have a conviction for same-sex sexual activity under an offence which has since been abolished, you are able to apply to have the conviction removed from official records.
Apply to remove disregarded convictions for homosexual offences if you live in:
HM Armed Forces Veterans' Card
If you have served in the UK Armed Forces, you are eligible for a Veterans' Card. This card allows veterans to easily verify their service to the NHS, their local authority, and charities
If you have left the Armed Forces since 2019, you do not need to apply, however, if you left before 2019, the online application is expected to launch in 2024.
Learn more about the Veterans ID card, including the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
New restorative measures
Non-financial restorative measures
You can choose to receive any non-financial restorative measure you are eligible for in a Service ceremony/event or by other means such as email or post.
If you choose to a Service ceremony/event, a member of the appropriate Service will get in touch with you to discuss the event and make arrangements.
Letter of apology from Service Chief of Staff
As a veteran, service person, or Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran affected by the ban, you can apply for an individual letter from the relevant Service Chief of Staff. This letter will include an apology for the unacceptable treatment you, the deceased veteran, and others received during the ban.
Begin your application on GOV.UK.
Replacement beret and/or cap badge
As a veteran or Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran affected by the ban, you can apply for a replacement beret and/or cap badge. The relevant cap badge will be supplied where possible, but a modern alternative will be provided if it has been retired.
Begin your application on GOV.UK.
Service details published in The Gazette
As a former officer or Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased former officer who served during or was affected by the ban, you can apply to have your service details published in The Gazette as part of the official record.
You will receive confirmation of your published details via email or post.
Read guidance for transgender veterans applying for restorative measures on GOV.UK.
Etherton Ribbon
As a veteran, service person, or Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran who was affected by the ban, you can apply for the Etherton Ribbon. The Etherton Ribbon is an alternative to the veterans badge for those who served during the ban.
Find out more about the veteran’s lapel badge here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
Written reproduction of the Prime Minister’s apology
As a veteran, service person, or Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran affected by the ban, you can apply for a written reproduction of the Prime Minister’s apology to those affected by the ban, given in the House of Commons on 19th July 2023.
Read guidance for transgender veterans applying for restorative measures on GOV.UK.
Begin your application on GOV.UK.
Replacement discharge papers
As a veteran or Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran affected by the ban, you can apply to have a Certificate of Service issued.
If you have applied for the qualification of administrative discharge, or the restoration of rank, these actions will need to be completed before we can issue a Certificate of Service. The reasons for discharge will not be stated on the Certificate of Service.
Provide testimony to form part of the historic record
As a veteran, service person, or Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran who was affected by the ban, you can submit a testimony to Defence which will be added to those given to the Review. This testimony will be submitted to The National Archives and form part of the historical record of the ban.
Read about providing a testimony to form part of the historical record on the GOV.UK website.
How to submit your testimony
To submit your testimony, you will need to complete the Application and Registration form linked below and email it to: [email protected]
Restoration of rank/commission
As a veteran or Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran who was reduced in rank as a result of a discharge or dismissal due to the ban, you can apply to restore your/their rank and/or commission in Service records held by Defence. Any convictions must first be disregarded.
Begin your application on GOV.UK.
Qualification of an administrative discharge
As a veteran or Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran who was administratively discharged during the ban, solely based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, you can for a Qualification of an administrative discharge.
If your application is successful, your/the veteran's records will be amended or annotated to record the discharge reason as being “pursuant to a policy, subsequently held by the European Court of Human Rights to be unlawful.”
Email: [email protected]
Begin your application on GOV.UK.
Engaging in Service events and with LGBT networks
The Royal Navy is developing an online platform to help veterans, service personnel and People of Sufficient Interest to a Veteran who served in the UK Armed Forces connect with each other. The platform will launch in 2025.
Find out more about the planned LGBT networks on the GOV.UK website.
Financial restorative measures: Financial Recognition Payment
To be eligible for a Financial Recognition Payment (FRP) you, or the individual that you are applying on behalf of must have:
- served in HM Armed Forces between 27 July 1967 and 11 January 2000, and
- been affected by the Ban on LGBT personnel serving in HM Armed Forces.
There are two types of Financial Recognition Payment:
LGBT Dismissed or Discharged Payment
This type of FRP is for those who were dismissed or administratively discharged, including officers who were ordered or instructed to resign or retire by their respective Service Board, solely on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity during the Ban.
The LGBT Impact Payment
The LGBT Impact Payment is awarded to reflect the personal impact that the Ban had on applicants during the period of their service in HM Armed Forces up to the point they left service.
Find out more about Financial Recognition Payments on GOV.UKMaking an application
You can make an application for the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme using the app or a postal application.
Find out more about applying for a Financial Recognition Payment on GOV.UK.
Read more about getting help to make your application on the GOV.UK website.
Guidance on applying for yourself or on behalf of someone else
Applicants who are terminally ill
When applying for the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, you will have the opportunity to declare if you, or the person you are making the application on behalf of, have a terminal illness diagnosis and submit evidence to support this. Applicants who are terminally ill will have their applications prioritized.
Applicants who lack capacity or are unable to complete an application form
A legal representative may complete and submit an application on an applicant's behalf if they lack capacity or are unable to complete the form themselves.
Learn more about who can make an application on someone else's behalf on GOV.UK.
Appeals
If you do not agree with a decision which has been made about a Financial Recognition Payment, you can make an appeal.
Learn more about the appeals process for Financial Recognition Payments on GOV.UK.
Will receiving a Financial Recognition Payment be taxed or affect my benefits?
No, payments from the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme are to be treated as exempt from income tax.
Find out more about the tax exemptions related to the Financial Recognition Scheme on GOV.UK.
Receiving a payment as part of the Financial Recognition Scheme will not affect any means-tested benefits from spring 2025. This has been agreed by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and it is advised that you keep safe a copy of your LGBT Dismissed or Discharged Payment decision letter and/or a copy of your LGBT Impact Payment determination outcome letter as this may be used as evidence.
Learn more about benefits disregards and what evidence you will need to provide on GOV.UK.
Getting in touch with Financial Recognition Scheme team
If you have any questions about eligibility or how to apply for the scheme you can get in touch with the MOD via:
Email: [email protected]
Post: Freepost LGBT FR SCHEME
Please include your service number and current last name in the email subject line or on the letter head. If your last name was different during your service, include it in brackets after your current last name.
Help from the Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion aims to provide comradeship and support for the LGBTQ+ community whilst also reflecting, recognising and remembering the contribution of the LGBTQ+ community to the Armed Forces.
Find out more about the LGBTQIA+ community networks in the Armed Forces.
Learn more about information and support for the LGBTQIA+ Armed Forces community.
RBL Pride Poppy Badge
The LGBTQIA+ community is a vital part of our Armed Forces and the Royal British Legion. Providing visible symbols of support for the LGBTQ+ Armed Forces community is an important show of allyship and a demonstration that the RBL is a safe and inclusive space. Therefore, we have introduced the RBL Poppy Pride Badge to show solidarity with those who have faced and continue to face discrimination or marginalisation due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, particularly those who served under the military’s pre-2000 ban on LGBTQIA+ personnel.
Purchase an RBL Pride Poppy Badge online from the Poppy Shop.
