LGBT+ History Month: Understanding the experiences and needs of the LGBT+ Veteran community.
The past month of February was Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and other orientations (LGBT+) History Month and here at the Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre we have been exploring what is currently understood about the LGBT+ veteran community. From a quick search of our repository, 26 resources related to LGBT+ veterans were identified, of which just six are from a UK perspective.
Between 1955 and January 12, 2000, the UK Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence (MoD) enforced a ban on LGBT+ service, with many being forced to leave service, fined, assaulted, persecuted, and even imprisoned. Thus, understanding the experiences and impact of the ban on those affected is of great importance. In one of the UK papers, published in 2020 by Paige, Dodds, and Jones, the authors highlight how those dismissed, or who chose/were forced to leave service, left without any formal assistance and often received limited informal or social support. Many consequently faced homelessness, unemployment, and estrangement from family and friends – experiences likely to increase the risk of experiencing mental health difficulties. In addition, it is reported anecdotally, that many of the service charities reflected the MoD’s stance and often refused services to LGBT+ veterans. Thus, it is reported that many often became isolated and deliberately moved away and separated themselves from their military past.
Forward Assist, a third sector organisation providing support to veterans who have experienced trauma, conducted in-house research based on the experiences of some of their service users. The report they produced provides emerging evidence of the sexual trauma and assault experienced by some of the LGBT+ veteran community, further indicating the need for thorough, robust research to further understand the experiences and support needs of this specific group of veterans.
On February 16, 2021, the MoD announced a policy for the return of medals taken from LGBT+ personnel on dismissal. In addition, it also committed to examining and understanding the wider ranging pre-2000 impacts and launched an independent review, led by Lord Etherton. A call for evidence from those who served between 1967 and 2000 was made in mid-2022 and ran for 20 weeks. All of the evidence that was received, in the form of testimonials, is now being reviewed and the outcome is expected to be reported later this year. At the FiMT Research Centre Conference held on the 8th March 2023, Lord Etherton gave a talk about the review process and shared some preliminary findings, providing initial insights into the likely health care needs of many of those veterans who served during the ban. When the full evidence is released, it will be important to ensure that momentum is not lost and recommendations are actioned.
Until recently, no academic evidence has been available to support the claims that are outlined above. In response, Northumbria University’s Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research, in collaboration with Fighting with Pride[i], have conducted a two phase mixed methods research project funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund Trust through their Tackling Loneliness programme. The first phase was an interview study with veterans who had served during the ban. Analysis of the interviews identified key themes, including struggles related to identity, the impact of intensive investigation processes such as loss of privacy, intrusion and related fear, experiences of loss and isolation and associated emotional wellbeing concerns, and limited access to support. Their phase one report was released in January this year. The second phase, which involved the distribution of an online survey, is also now complete, with the full project due to complete on the 30 April 2023. A full and final report will be made available in the near future. You can find out more about this study here.
The phase one results from this study, alongside other talks, panels, and presentations, were presented at the first Annual LGBT+ Veteran Community Conference, hosted by the Northern Hub and FWP in Newcastle on the 23rd anniversary of the lifting of the ban, 12 January 2023. This conference marked huge progress in investment in, and recognition of, the importance of research with the LGBT+ veteran community. More about the conference can be found here.
While most existing resources have focused on those who served during the ban, a new PhD project is due to commence later this year at King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR). Using existing quantitative data from the KCMHR Cohort study and collecting new interview data, this project will aim to understand the health and well-being of UK Serving and ex-Serving LBGT+ personnel, including what factors may affect their health and well-being.
As our understanding of the experiences and needs of the LGBT+ veteran community continues to grow, it is vital that support services are readily accessible to the LGBT+ veteran community. Existing evidence indicates that while many may need services, some may be reluctant to use veteran services due to historical treatment and their past experiences. Therefore, FWP have developed the Pride in Veterans Standard (PiVS) to provide practical guidance to veteran service providers in how to ensure they create welcoming and safe spaces for LGBT+ veterans. A central tenant of this is initiative to reunite LGBT+ veterans with the veteran community and help them complete their journey home to connect with and be proud of their Service. FWP have held launch events for the PiVS in Scotland, Wales, and England, with many organisations already having signed up.
The PiVS, the government independent review, recent investments in research, and the holding of the first annual LGBT+ Veteran Community Conference show great progress in supporting the LGBT+ veteran community of the past, present, and future. The key will be to make sure that momentum is maintained, high quality robust evidence is gathered, and any resulting recommendations for policy and practice are implemented.
If you know of additional research papers, or ongoing research about the UK LGBT+ veteran community that has not been mentioned in this report or is not already in our repository or ongoing research pages, please get in touch ([email protected]) and share them with us so we can add them.
Thank you to the Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families, Northumbria University, and Craig Jones, Executive Chair, Fighting with Pride, for their contributions to this news article.
[i] Fighting with Pride is a charitable organisation providing health and wellbeing support to LGBT+ veterans, Service personnel and their families.
