Campaigners for LGBT+ rights have recently been most occupied with proposals to ban gay conversion therapy and the rights and wrongs of such a move. But could another battle soon be underway on an appropriately military subject?
The Armed Forces had a ban on homosexuality until 2000 when the Blair government lifted it following a ruling in the European Courts of Human Rights. Veterans dismissed or forced to resign for their sexual orientation or gender identity before this date often suffered loss of ranks or pension. Some were given criminal convictions or placed on the Sex Offenders register, affecting them to this day.
Now Mr S has noticed that tucked away on page 15 of the amendments to the Armed Forces bill currently working its way through the Commons is clause NC17, backed by five Labour backbenchers: Dan Carden, Stephen Morgan, Sharon Hodgson, Kevan Jones and Tonia Antoniazzi.
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