The candid opinions of the pioneering judge who investigated the prohibition of LGBTQ individuals in the British armed forces were disclosed recently, nearly nine months following his passing. Actor and peer Michael Cashman delivered a speech penned by Lord Etherton prior to his demise in May last year at the Imperial War Museum. Lord Etherton highlighted the prevalence of “institutional homophobia” and disturbing findings he encountered during his inquiry into the ban, which was enforced until 2000.
He detailed a culture of discrimination and mistreatment, including harassment, coercion, and inappropriate examinations, leading to severe repercussions on mental health, relationships, and financial stability. Lord Etherton criticized the Ministry of Defence and senior military officials for fostering an environment that enabled intrusive and often abusive investigations by the Special Investigations Branch.
The address comes amid ongoing concerns regarding the delayed compensation for those impacted by the ban. To date, 1,312 individuals have sought financial redress, with 986 applying for discharge payments. However, as of December 15th, only 667 cases had been resolved, and less than a third of the 1,053 applications for impact payments had been processed.
Lord Cashman, known for his role in Eastenders featuring the first televised same-sex kiss in a soap opera in 1989, presented Lord Etherton’s lecture at an event hosted by actor Russell Tovey, with Lord Etherton’s spouse, Andrew, in attendance. Peter Gibson, CEO of Fighting With Pride, emphasized the urgency of compensating those who endured suffering due to the ban, urging swift action from the Ministry of Defence to fulfill their promises and expedite reparations. The organization offers support to LGBTQ+ veterans facing claim rejections, ensuring access to legal assistance for a fair resolution.
Gibson stressed the importance of honoring Lord Etherton’s legacy by promptly addressing the outstanding compensation claims, underscoring the Ministry of Defence’s responsibility to meet the needs of affected individuals.