Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP addressed the 2026 LGBTQ+ Defence Awards, recognising the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals in the Armed Forces. He noted that more than 2,500 openly LGBTQ+ people are currently serving.
Mr Streeting acknowledged past policies that led to the dismissal of individuals like Jeanette Smith, Graeme Grady, Duncan Lustig-Prean, and John Beckett from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy for being gay or lesbian. These policies were later deemed unlawful following cases brought to the European Court of Human Rights.
The Defence Secretary spoke about the experiences of those affected by the ban, including a woman named Dawn who was removed from the Royal Navy in 1994. He committed to working with LGBT networks, Fighting with Pride, and the Royal British Legion to support current and future generations of LGBTQ+ service members.