LGBTQ+ veterans who had their medals removed or were discharged from the armed forces on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity can now reclaim their medals after the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched a scheme to correct this ‘historical wrong’.
The new scheme comes after veteran Joe Ousalice successfully took the MoD to court after being forced to leave the Royal Navy in 1993 when his bisexuality was revealed to his colleagues.
The 70-year-old subsequently had his medal for long service and good conduct returned to him. Joe OusalicePrior to 2000, a number of armed forces personnel were discharged from service on the basis of their sexuality.