UK apologizes to LGBT armed forces veterans over pre-2000 homosexuality ban

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized on Wednesday to LGBT veterans who served in the country’s military services and were harmed by a pre-2000 homosexuality prohibition.

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“The ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, or transgender people serving in our military until the year 2000 was an appalling failure of the British state—decades behind the law of this land,” Sunak said in parliament after an independent assessment of the issue was published.

“As today’s report makes clear, many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying, and harassment while bravely serving this country during that period. On behalf of the British state, I apologize.”