This week the man in charge of equality training for the Ministry of Defense, Wing Commander Phil Sagar, apologized for the persecution that gays and lesbians had suffered prior to 2000.
"We’re sorry for anyone who has suffered personal trauma," Sagar told the BBC.
"We’re sorry for anyone who has suffered personal trauma," Sagar told the BBC.
"Our challenge is to create an environment where there is a genuine freedom from harassment and discrimination. We’re only seven years down the trail . . . I guess there’s still some way to go."
In the years since Great Britain ended the ban on gays serving in the military the government has paid out more than $1.6 million to service members drummed out of the services. The figures represent 24 former service members who threatened court action over their dismissal after the removal of the ban in 2000. More than 50 claims are still pending.
On Saturday LGBT members of the Royal Navy will be taking part in a Gay Pride march in London, all of them wearing their uniform. Members of the Army and the RAF have been banned from wearing their uniform at pride events.
The United States is the only major Western power to bar gays from serving openly in the military, under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Obviously the problem free experience of the USA's allies means nothing to the Christianists whose goal is to stigmatize gays in any manner possible.
A public opinion poll conducted in the US last month found that 79 percent support gays serving openly in the military.
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