Fighting With Pride has launched OP INCLUSIO — a focused campaign to address two critical injustices that continue to affect members of our community.
This is a call to arms for your assistance in securing justice for those in our community who remain left behind.
OP INCLUSIO has two clear objectives:
1. To address the ongoing exclusion of LGBT+ veterans dismissed prior to 1967
Veterans dismissed before the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967 remain unable to access non-financial reparations under the current arrangements. This exclusion perpetuates historic injustice. We believe this must be rectified.
2. To secure justice for those forced, coerced, compelled, or threatened into resignation
Many veterans who were pressured to resign have applied for a Discharge/Dismissal payment, only to see their applications rejected — and their subsequent appeals fail, despite clear evidence of their appalling treatment. These individuals remain without redress. OP INCLUSIO seeks to ensure their cases are properly recognised and addressed.
Why Act Now?
The Defence Select Committee is currently considering the Armed Forces Bill. This presents a critical opportunity to influence Parliament and ensure these unresolved injustices are formally recognised and corrected.
We are asking you to take two important actions:
1. Make a submission to the Defence Select Committee
Your lived experience carries weight. Personal testimony and evidence from Veterans are powerful tools for change, as we have demonstrated over the last six years.
2. Write to your Constituency MP
Ask your MP to support amendments to the Armed Forces Bill that will address these exclusions and injustices.
To support you, we are providing draft template letters:
• A template letter to your MP – please check the details of you local MP and tailor the template to tell your story and experiences, particularly if you have applied for the DD and been rejected.
• A template submission to the Defence Select Committee – again we recommend that you personalise your letter to your personal circumstances and experience.
The draft text for these letters are included below, in this email. Just scroll down, copy and paste to use as an email or to print and post.
Link to Defence Select Committee call for evidence
The case of Pre 1967 Veterans was raised with the Prime Minister in the House of Commons on the 11th February.
Those veterans refused reparation under the DD Scheme is the subject of threatened legal action against the MOD following our referral of appeal cases to Irwin Mitchell Solicitors and received extensive coverage in the media last week.
Progress has been made because veterans spoke up. Change has happened because you engaged. OP INCLUSIO builds on that legacy — but it requires collective action. This is a moment for our community to stand together once again.
We ask that you join our efforts to secure justice, and inclusion for those who are being left behind.
