United Kingdom
British prime minister issues apology to LGBTQ veterans
‘I hope all those affected will be able to feel proud parts of the veteran community’
Speaking to the House of Commons on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized to the nation’s LGBTQ military veterans for what he termed [a] “period, many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment, all while bravely serving this country.”
Speaking at the last Prime Minister’s Question Time before Parliament’s summer break, Sunak’s apology came after the report released this week, which had been previously leaked in May, confirmed that gay and lesbian British soldiers, airmen and sailors were subjected to horrific electroshock treatment.
“Today, on behalf of the British state, I apologize and I hope all those affected will be able to feel proud parts of the veteran community that has done so much to keep our country safe.”
Additionally, PinkNewsUK reported, gay and lesbian servicemembers were forced to endure so-called “conversion therapy,” sexual assault, unwarranted surveillance and blackmail from their superiors between 1967, when homosexuality was partially decriminalized, and 2000, when the ban on gay soldiers serving in the military was lifted.
The LGBT Veterans Independent Review was carried out by chair Lord Etherton, independent of both the government and the armed forces, and was reportedly submitted to the government in May for review and response, PinkNewsUK also noted.
The UK’s Fighting with Pride non-profit charity, which was set up by former Royal Navy officer, Craig Jones and ex-RAF navigator, Caroline Paige in 2020 to right the wrongs of the military service ban, including financial remedy from lost pensions and loss of earnings, reacted in a statement:
Jones and Paige, the executive chair and chief executive of Fighting With Pride respectively, said: “This is a deeply emotional moment for both of us, a day we’d hoped for but sometimes wondered if it would actually happen. More importantly, this is the day thousands of veterans whose lives have been blighted by the cruel ban have been waiting for. It’s a watershed moment for LGBT+ veterans who’ve lost careers, homes, families and their sense of honor and justice.”
“The prime minister’s apology on behalf of the nation marks the culmination of a very long road traveled on behalf of people who’ve suffered unimaginable loss and shame. Sadly, for some, this day comes too late.”
“We must now ensure the government moves quickly, so that words translate into action. We’ll be working with government to make sure every affected veteran gets the reparation and compensation they’re owed.”
On a historic day, the Prime Minister @10DowningStreet has apologised on behalf of the British state for the treatment of veterans who were affected by the ban on LGBT personnel before 2000.https://t.co/FHIu0baTEU pic.twitter.com/3a8trpaJgI
— Office for Veterans’ Affairs (@VeteransGovUK) July 19, 2023
PinkNewsUK also reported that Cat Dixon, vice chair of Stonewall, the UK’s largest LGBTQ rights organization and an army veteran said the apology for the military ban is an “important step” to “achieving justice” for those LGBTQ people who served in the armed Forces and “like me, experienced shame, humiliation and a ruined military career because of our sexuality.”
“Many were imprisoned, experienced corrective violence, and lived with the stain of a criminal convictions because of who they loved and which left some homeless and many unable to work,” Dixon added.
“Stonewall is proud to have played a key role in overturning the ban in the courts which was finally lifted in 2000, to have worked with HM Armed Forces over the years to support their journey to being LGBTQ+ inclusive employers, and in ensuring that LGBTQ+ veterans received today’s apology and where needed support.”
“I would like to thank all who spoke out and contributed to the independent review, Lord Etherton and Fighting with Pride for their steadfast resolution to ensuring justice is done,” Dixon said.
Prime minister’s apology for armed forces gay ban:
Additional reporting from PinkNewsUK
United Kingdom
Grindr settles UK lawsuit over claims it shared users’ personal information
Plaintiffs allege gay hookup company disclosed HIV status to third parties
Grindr has agreed to pay £26 million ($35.24 million) to settle a lawsuit in the UK over allegations it shared users’ HIV status and other personal information with third parties.
The BBC on Monday reported a lawsuit was filed in the High Court of England and Wales in 2024. A class action lawsuit with more than 11,000 plaintiffs was later filed in the U.S.
Grindr in a U.S. Security and Exchange Commission filing notes the California-headquartered company as part of the settlement it reached on Sept. 2 will pay £13.0 million ($17.62 million) “to the counterparties” by Dec. 31, 2026, and another £13.0 million ($17.62 million) by March 31, 2027.
“As previously disclosed, in April 2025, Grindr Inc. and Grindr LLC, its indirect and wholly-owned operating subsidiary (collectively, ‘Grindr’), were served with proceedings in the High Court of England and Wales, which proceedings were originally issued in April 2024, brought on behalf of UK Grindr users from a period up to early 2020 alleging violations of UK privacy laws,” reads the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission filing.
“On Sept. 2, 2026, Grindr resolved the above-described UK group action related to historical data practices before 2020, when Grindr was owned and controlled by the Chinese conglomerate Kunlun,” it continues. “The settlement includes no findings or admission of liability. While Grindr disputes the allegations, it recognizes and acknowledges the distress and loss of trust expressed by some of its UK users regarding that pre-2020 period.”
The filing further notes Grindr in 2020 “was sold to new owners and appointed new management” and in 2022 became a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange.
“Since 2020 Grindr has overhauled its privacy program with a keen focus on the unique needs of its community,” reads the filing. “Grindr is and remains a safe space for users, committed to transparency, user control, and responsible data practices.”
A Grindr spokesperson in the UK on Tuesday referred the Washington Blade to the filing for comment on the settlement.
United Kingdom
Queen Camilla meets with JK Rowling
Edinburgh meeting took place on last day of Pride month
Queen Camilla on Tuesday met with JK Rowling.
The Royal Family on X said the meeting took place at Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The post included a picture of Camilla and Rowling together.
“With a shared passion for books and a deep commitment to children reading for pleasure, The queen and author JK Rowling have met at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh,” it reads. “Her Majesty and Ms. Rowling discussed the importance of ensuring that young people have access to books and the vital part reading plays in opening doors for future generations.”
📕 With a shared passion for books and a deep commitment to children reading for pleasure, The Queen and author J.K. Rowling have met at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Her Majesty and Ms Rowling discussed the importance of ensuring that young people have access to… pic.twitter.com/Yx1Xy6olqC
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 30, 2026
Rowling over the last decade has emerged as a vocal opponent of transgender rights. Her meeting with Camilla took place on the last day of Pride month.
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign
Announcement comes after Labour Party election loses, ambassador scandal
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday announced he will step down once his party chooses his successor.
Starmer succeeded Rishi Sunak of the Conservative Party in No. 10 Downing St. in 2024.
The Labour Party included a ban on so-called conversion therapy in England and Wales in its elections manifesto. King Charles III in last month’s King Speech that he delivered in the British House of Lords said a transgender-inclusive ban is among the British government’s legislative priorities.
Charles delivered his King’s Speech days after the Labour lost more than 1,000 council seats in local and regional elections. The May 7 vote took place against the backdrop of widespread criticism over Starmer’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S., despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is seen as the frontrunner to become Labour’s new leader — and the UK’s next prime minister. Burnham was sworn in as an MP in the House of Commons hours after Starmer announced his resignation.
Starmer in his resignation announcement said he expects his successor will be in place before MPs return from their summer recess on Sept. 1.
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