Supporting LGBT+ Veterans: Our Link with Fighting with Pride
We are proud to be connected with Fighting with Pride the UK-wide organisation supporting LGBT+ veterans, serving personnel, and their families, especially those affected by the pre-2000 ban on LGBT+ service in the Armed Forces.
Why this connection matters
Between 1967 and 2000, LGBT+ people were banned from serving in the UK military. Thousands of people were criminalised, dishonourably discharged, and cut off from their careers, communities, and support systems. Many experienced sexual violence, harassment, humiliation, and institutional abuse that was all too often ignored or denied.
Many veterans still live with trauma, isolation, shame, and poor mental health. The culture of silence around sexual violence, especially within the military and veteran communities, means that many have never spoken about what happened to them or felt able to seek support.
Working in Solidarity
Our link with Fighting with Pride strengthens our commitment to inclusive, intersectional support. Together, we are working to:
- Raise awareness of the sexual violence experienced by LGBT+ veterans
- Challenge the systems and cultures that allowed this abuse to happen
- Ensure that support is accessible to veterans living in rural and isolated areas, including across the Scottish Borders
Our service is free, inclusive, non-judgemental, and confidential for survivors who have experienced sexual violence or abuse at any time in their lives.
Our Sunrise service is inclusive to women aged 18+ of any race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, or religion/cultural background.
Our Unity service is inclusive to survivors aged between 12-18 of any race, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, ability, or religion/cultural background.
If you’re a veteran and you’ve experienced:
- Sexual violence during your time in service
- Coercion, humiliation or bullying of a sexualised nature
- Violence linked to your gender identity or sexual orientation
We will listen.
We will believe.
We will support.
We understand that you may experience barriers that can make seeking support more difficult, such as:
- Stigma and silence around sexual violence in the armed forces
- Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
- Complex trauma
- Isolation and disconnection from LGBT communities and veteran networks
What you can expect from us
- We offer a safe and confidential space for you to talk.
- Accessing support can take a lot of courage, you don’t need to give your real name or address.
- We will never discuss your sexual orientation or gender with another organisation unless you ask us to.
- We will not share your information with your family, friends, other services or contact the Police unless you ask us to. The exception to this is if there are child or adult protection concerns. We are required to share this information, but we will tell you wherever possible.
- Within our working week, we will always try to provide support at a day and time that suits you.
- We won’t forget how important trust and confidentiality are to you.
- We have achieved our LGBT Gold Charter
If you would like to access support or find out more, contact us. You can also find links to Veterans services in our Useful Contacts.
