UK to return medals to veterans discharged because of sexuality

The British military will allow former service personnel who were stripped of medals because of their sexuality to apply to have them restored after a Royal Navy veteran’s 27-year battle to have his decorations returned. The Ministry of Defense announced the new policy on Tuesday, more than two decades after Britain lifted its ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service personnel in 2000.“LGBT personnel have and continue to make significant contributions to the armed forces,'' said Johnny Mercer, the veterans minister. “Today's announcement addresses a historic injustice and demonstrates that the military is a positive place to work for all who choose to serve.'

The announcement came a year after Joe Ousalice, now 70, had his Long Service and Good Conduct medal, as well as three Good Conduct badges, restored during a ceremony at the Royal Navy headquarters in Portsmouth harbor.Ousalice is an 18-year Navy veteran who served in the Falklands War, the Middle East and six tours of duty in Northern Ireland. He was discharged and stripped of his medals in 1993 on the grounds that his conduct was “prejudicial to good order and naval discipline,” even though he had sought to keep his sexuality secret. He was forced to admit his sexuality during a court martial that found him guilty of being in bed with another man, a charge he always denied.