A military band takes part in the 2022 Pride Parade in London, Britain July 2, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
United Kingdom
Rishi Sunak apologises to LGBT veterans
On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised to LGBT veterans who served in the country's armed forces and were affected by a pre-2000 ban on homosexuality.
LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday apologised to LGBT veterans who served in the country's armed forces and were affected by a pre-2000 ban on homosexuality.
"The ban on LGBT people serving in our military until the year 2000 was an appalling failure of the British state – decades behind the law of this land," Sunak said in parliament following the publication of an independent review on the matter.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak walks outside 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Anna Gordon
"As today’s report makes clear, in that period many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment while bravely serving this country ... on behalf of the British state, I apologise."
(Reporting by William James, writing by Farouq Suleiman)