Military medics express regret over UK's past treatment of LGBT+ armed forces personnel

The Defence Medical Services (DMS) has issued an apology for the historical mistreatment of LGBT+ armed service personnel by the military medical community, following a comprehensive review led by Terence Etherton. The review scrutinized the period from 1967 to 2000, when discriminatory policies effectively banned LGBT+ individuals from serving in the UK armed forces. During this time, those perceived as LGBT+ were subjected to degrading medical examinations and conversion therapies, leading to significant trauma. The DMS acknowledges these practices as inappropriate and wrong, and now adheres to a zero-tolerance policy against such behaviors. Research by Fighting With Pride and Northumbria University highlights the enduring fear and shame among veterans, which hinders their access to support. The government has accepted recommendations for a "veteran friendly" accreditation scheme to improve GP awareness of these issues. A debate in the House of Commons is anticipated to discuss these findings and the proposed financial reparations for affected veterans, currently capped at £50 million, a limit contested by advocacy groups.