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

Fears 1,000 LGBT veterans could miss gay ban compensation deadline Just now Share Save Add as preferred on Google Josh Parry LGBT & Identity Reporter Karen Usher Karen Usher struggled with the impact of being forced to hide her sexuality during her time in the RAF 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." Karen Usher Karen Usher says more needs to be done to reach isolated and vulnerable veterans 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 encou