Battle for Lost Veterans

Fighting with Pride is calling on Scotland's veterans' organisations, welfare providers and wider communities to help find LGBT+ veterans who may be entitled to recognition and reparations for the treatment they experienced during the Armed Forces' historic LGBT ban.

Until January 2000, LGBT+ people were prohibited from serving openly in the UK Armed Forces. Many dedicated personnel were investigated, bullied, harassed, dismissed or discharged because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Careers were destroyed, medals taken away and lives changed forever. Some of those affected have never returned to the veterans’ community and may not think of themselves as veterans at all.

The Government’s LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme is open to people who served between 27 July 1967 and 11 January 2000 and were affected by the ban.

Eligible veterans may receive a Dismissed or Discharged Payment of £50,000 and/or an Impact Payment of between £1,000 and £20,000—potentially up to £70,000 in total.

But time is running out. Applications must be submitted by 11.59pm on 12 December 2026.

Those we most urgently need to reach are generally aged 48 and above, with many now in their 60s and 70s. They may not use social media, attend veterans’ events or have contact with welfare services. Some have never told their partners, families or friends what happened to them.

That is why your help matters.

Please share this information through your organisation, networks, newsletters, social media and local contacts. Mention it to former Service colleagues, friends and family members. You do not need to ask anyone about their sexuality—simply make them aware that support and reparations are available