Atonement and Acceptance: The British Army Apologises to Gay Veteran, Martin Diver, at Kendrew Barracks Rutland.
In a poignant act of reconciliation, the British Army has formally apologised to Martin Diver, a former rifleman in the Royal Anglian Regiment, 35 years after his dismissal for being gay. Diver, who joined the army at 17, was discharged in 1990 amidst the then-existing ban on homosexuals serving in the military.
The apology,
delivered by Brigadier Guy Foden at Kendrew Barracks near Cottesmore, Rutland, included a letter from the Prime Minister, the regimental tie and cap, and an Etherton pin badge. This act of reconciliation is part of Project Etherton, an initiative stemming from Lord Etherton's independent review into the discriminatory treatment of over 1,000 LGBTQ+ individuals in the Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000. The event, hosted by the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, symbolised Diver's re-acceptance into the "family" that had once ostracised him.
This apology coincides with the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) 2021 policy allowing veterans dismissed for their sexuality to apply for the restoration of their forfeited medals. This initiative aims to address the injustice faced by those discharged due to their sexuality, many of whom also lost medals earned for unrelated reasons. The MOD encourages affected personnel, and in some cases their families, to apply.
Defence Minister at the time, Baroness Goldie, acknowledged the "deeply regrettable" treatment of LGBTQ+ members of the Armed Forces in the past. She emphasised the MOD's commitment to ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for all personnel, regardless of sexual orientation. Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Johnny Mercer, echoed this sentiment, recognising the significant contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to the Armed Forces and highlighting the importance of addressing this historical injustice.
Fighting with Pride, an organisation supporting LGBTQ+ veterans, welcomed the apology and the medal restoration initiative. They emphasised the need for continued support for veterans, particularly in addressing the long-term impacts of dismissal on their health, housing, and employment. Stonewall, a leading LGBTQ+ rights charity, praised the MOD's action as a significant step towards righting past wrongs and urged other organisations to follow suit in acknowledging and rectifying historical injustices.
The apology to Martin Diver and the broader initiatives by the MOD mark a turning point in the British Army's relationship with its LGBTQ+ veterans. While acknowledging the pain and injustice of the past, these actions signal a commitment to a more inclusive and equitable future for all who serve.
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