Rishi Sunak apologises for 'horrendous' treatment of LGBT people in the military

euronews.com:

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday apologised on behalf of the government for the "horrendous" treatment of LGBT people in the military until they were allowed to serve in the year 2000."The banning of LGBT people from serving in our armed forces until the year 2000 was an appalling failure of the British state," the Conservative leader told parliament.“During this time, many have suffered the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic harassment, while courageously serving this country,” he continued."Today, on behalf of the British state, I apologise," Rishi Sunak said.Until a change in the law in 2000, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people were not allowed to serve in the British army.“Today, we want to tell each of the former soldiers, sailors and airmen, many of whom are now retired, that you are one of us”, said Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace."Tolerance, the values ​​of Western democracies for which we asked you to fight have been refused to you.

This was a serious mistake", added the minister.Veterans' minister Johnny Mercer said it was a "momentous day". Shadow defence minister John Healey, of the opposition Labour Party, also welcomed the apology "as a recognition of their mistreatment".The apology comes on the day of the release of a government-commissioned report on the experience of former LGBT military personnel who served between 1967 and 2000.The report recommends, among other things, that "appropriate financial compensation" be given to veterans affected by the ban on LGBT people serving in the armed forces before the year 2000.Several LGBT people testify in the report, anonymously. "I was the victim of insults, physical attacks, harassment, I was afraid of losing.