Kelly Holmes wants LGBTQ+ veterans to give evidence on ruined lives

2022-10-03

‘This review must force the Government to do something!’ Dame Kelly Holmes calls on LGBTQ+ veterans to provide evidence on how their lives were ruined by homosexuality ban

The former Olympic athlete, 52, who came out as gay in June, is urging ex soldiers to give proof to an independent probe into the scandal
Since it was illegal for members of the community to serve until 2000, many struggled with homelessness, unemployment and their mental health
Approximately 500 people have already given testimonies to the independent review, ahead of its November 15 deadline
Kelly, who lived in fear of being exposed after joining the British Army aged 18, is also calling on the Prime Minister to make an apology on behalf of the State
She said: ‘For some people, just acknowledgment that they have been impacted could be enough. But others will need support’

Dame Kelly Holmes is calling on LGBTQ+ veterans whose lives were ruined under the Forces’ ban on homosexuality to provide evidence.

The former Olympic athlete, 52, who came out as gay in June, is urging ex soldiers to give proof to an independent probe into the scandal, which left queer servicemen and women stripped of their honours, military pensions, discharged and even jailed.

Since it was illegal for members of the community to serve until 2000, many subsequently struggled with homelessness, unemployment and mental health issues while being forced to come out to their family.

‘This review must force the Government to do something!’ Kelly Holmes is calling on LGBTQ+ veterans whose lives were ruined under the Forces’ ban on homosexuality to provide evidence

Approximately 500 people have already given testimonies to the independent review, which was approved cross-party in the 2021 Armed Forces Bill and is led by Lord Etherton, ahead of its November 15 deadline.

Kelly, who lived in fear of being exposed after joining the British Army at the age of 18, told The Mirror: ‘This review needs to be as strong as possible so it can force the Government to do something.

‘For some people, just acknowledgment that they have been impacted could be enough. But others will need support.’

The Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment is also calling on the Prime Minister to make an apology on behalf of the State, however will settle for ‘a notable national figure’.

Tragic: The former Olympic athlete, 52, who came out as gay in June, is urging ex soldiers to give proof to an independent probe into the scandal (pictured in 1995)

She said: ‘It has to be somebody high up who recognises the effects it’s had – somebody like the Prince of Wales who has empathy and connection with the military, to recognise that it’s wrong – or even the King.’

She’s also appealing for the return of soldiers’ medals that have been taken away and wants a formal compensation programme to be established in her campaign, which she is working on in conjunction with Fighting With Pride.

The athlete, who won the 800m and 1,500m titles at the 2004 Olympic games, spoke openly about her sexuality for the first time in June as she declared that she ‘finally feels free’ after years of living a ‘secret’ life.

Free: Kelly, who lived in fear of being exposed after joining the British Army at the age of 18, is also calling on the Prime Minister to make an apology on behalf of the State (pictured in 2004)

The Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment lived in fear of being exposed after joining the British Army at the age of 18 as the forces had a ban on LGBTQ+ soldiers, which was only lifted in 2000.

Speaking about coming out as gay on BBC’s Morning Live, Dame Kelly said the reaction from people has been ‘incredible’, with people reaching out to her after the documentary aired.

She told hosts Gethin Jones and Kimberley Walsh that although she is feeling more ‘positive’ now, she also feels like she is ‘in limbo’ as she adjusts to living her ‘new normal’.

Army: She said: ‘For some people, just acknowledgment that they have been impacted could be enough. But others will need support’ (pictured in her Colonel role at Trooping the Colour)

When asked what the public’s reaction has been like, she explained: ‘I have to say it’s been incredible, the warmth, the feedback of people coming forward to watch my documentary and you know, it’s kind of strange because I feel like I’m essentially still in a bit of a bubble and a little bit in limbo, you can’t just change.

‘I’m still the same person, don’t get me wrong, but with the announcement, to suddenly to live the new norm is very different.’

The former Olympian went on to admit that she is still ‘processing’ everything that has happened since her announcement but said she feels like she can finally have a ‘brighter’ future now.

She continued: ‘It’s just one step at a time, I’m processing everything that’s come out in the last two weeks and I’m sure though, on a real positive note, that my future will be a lot brighter.’

Dame Kelly also spoke about how ‘heartwarming’ it has been for her to read other people’s stories, with many telling her that they have ‘found strength’ from her speaking about her own experiences.

‘When you do talk, you get a lot of stories back,’ she said.

‘There are so many people who have emailed and messaged who have found strength from my conversation and my stories and announcements – in lots of different ways, all different people of all different ages – and that has been so heartwarming.’

Being me! She’s also appealing for the return of soldiers’ medals that have been taken away and wants a formal compensation programme to be established in her campaign, which she is doing in conjunction with Fighting With Pride

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