We are proud to share our support for the UK LGBTQ+ military charity ‘Fighting with Pride’. This inspiring organisation is centered around ensuring the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ veterans, force members and their families, particularly those affected by the historic ban on LGBT individuals serving in the Armed Forces. Their focus is on understanding the lived experiences of veterans.

The official policy, often termed the ‘gay ban’, saw thousands unjustly dismissed from the Armed Forces between 1967-2000. It claimed that no person subject to service law who was gay, lesbian, transgender, experiencing gender dysphoria, or ‘perceived’ to be such, could not be, or remain as, a member of the Armed Forces. The policy of course had detrimental effects on the lives and health of those targeted and yet support for these individuals following the ending of the ban was completely insufficient.

In the 2023 LGBT Veterans Independent Review, accounts from veterans made it clear that the long-term effects of the 1967 ban are prominent. Jeanette Smith, for example, obtained the rank of senior aircraftwoman in the Royal Air Force but was later unfairly dismissed from the service under the ban. Smith was part of the group whose campaigns against the ban under human rights violations eventually led to its cessation in 2000. She explained in court proceedings that when an individual is dismissed because of their gender or sexual orientation, “there are almost permanent mental scars” as well as feelings of abandonment and rejection from an organisation “to which each person has quite literally pledged their life”. This ban told individuals that they could not follow their passion or represent this country, solely based on their identity. It gave permission to discriminate and project hatred, and the personal impact of this is still felt today. There are countless stories from veterans who have been affected by the ban, with many left unemployed, homeless and suffering from extremely poor mental health after being dismissed or eventually resigning due to the struggle to hide their identity. At RDDS, we believe it is essential to fully listen to these stories, and to work with charities such as Fighting with Pride, who make it their mission to connect LGBTQ+ veterans with the right kind of help and support.

An example of the essential work now being carried out to support veterans, is the ‘LGBT+ Veterans Voice’ project launched this year. With the primary aim of listening to and building lasting systems of inclusion within the veteran community, this initiative is a collaboration between The Bridge for Heroes and Fighting with Pride. LGBT+ Veterans Voice has enabled Fighting with Pride to appoint veteran community workers, to help build a database of LGBT+ veterans and eventually connect them with helpful organisations, as well as community spaces and pride groups. Improving awareness of support systems is the first step to fighting alienation. Many veterans have admitted to being reluctant to reach out to certain charities and organisations because of the frustration they feel about past treatment. For example, in the ‘Lost and Found’ report by Fighting with Pride and Northumbria University, 81.3% of LGBT+ veterans said they felt accessing the support they needed and asking for help, was too difficult- many do not even consider themselves to be ‘veterans’. Targeted outreach, with ongoing feedback loops, and initiatives to tackle stigma around mental health struggles are examples of ways we can work towards building trusting relationships between veterans and their communities.

We have recently, as a company, signed the Armed Forces Covenant; a promise from the nation to the Armed Forces community to help eliminate disadvantages faced by force members, veterans, and their families. By signing this covenant, we are pledging our commitment to these individuals, and therefore through supporting charitable organisations we are taking specific action to demonstrate our dedication. We regularly donate to Fighting with Pride to ensure that their important work may continue, and plan for a portion of donations from any future fundraising events to go to the organization. If you would like to support the charity, you can visit their website here to find out about fundraising and learn more about the important history of the organisation. You can also visit our team JustGiving page here to donate directly to Fighting with Pride. We are excited to continue sharing more information and spreading awareness of causes that are meaningful to all of us at RDDS.

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