|
Compiled by GayToday
 The Hon. Geoff Hoon |
London, England—"Going ... going ... gone ... - gay ban ends today," chanted
this city's celebrating Stonewall activists as they gave a warm welcome to a statement
by the Secretary of State for Defense, Geoff Hoon, in the House of Commons on
Wednesday.
Homosexuality will no longer be a bar to service in Britain's armed forces. |
This statement follows the historic ruling from the European Court of Human
Rights at the end of September. Judges declared Britain's armed forces
gay ban unlawful.
Since then there has been speculation that any official
end to the ban would not come till a review of the Armed Forces Bill in
2001. Instead there has been a quick response by the government which
has been welcomed by lesbian and gay groups.
|
The code of conduct, which applies to heterosexuals as well as homosexuals,
has been drawn from the Australian model where the ban on gays was lifted in
1992. It outlines strict standards of behavior as well as protection for
personnel from sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying.
Angela Mason , Stonewall's executive director, said:
"We are delighted that the Government and the Chief of Staff have responded
so promptly to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights. A
general code of sexual conduct is something we have always argued for.
"When I first came to Stonewall 7 years ago I was shocked that lesbians and
gay men in the armed forces were treated so brutally. I am very proud that
as from today they will be able to serve their country with dignity and
respect."
|
Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
ILGA Europe to Four Nations:
'Lift Military Bans'
21st Euro Conference
Targets European Institutions
Kameny Blasts Defense Department Falsehoods
Related Sites:
Rank Outsiders: British Pro-Gays in the Military Organization
Stonewall UK
GayToday does not endorse related sites.
|
Additional Perspectives:
1. On the eve of an historic European Court ruling last September, seven
out of 10 Britons said lesbians and gay men should not be barred from
military service, according to an NOP Poll. Tories agreed that the ban
should go by 58 per cent to 42 per cent (Labor: 75 to25 and Lib
Dems: 78 to 22). Of the general adult population, 68 per cent agreed that
lesbians and gay men should not be barred from serving, 32 per cent
disagreed.
2. Out of all the NATO Countries - Turkey is the only one that still
bans gays and this is likely to be affected by last September's
ECHR ruling. British troops train and serve with personnel from all
NATO countries--including Bosina and the Gulf War.
|
