LGBT veteran sacked for sexuality in ‘last battle’ for compensation

A navy veteran who was sacked for his sexuality fears he might die before he receives his compensation from the UK government.

Joe Ousalice, 73, was one of the thousands who were affected by a ban on LGBT people working in the armed forces which lasted up until 2000.

Last year the prime minister said the ban was an “appalling failure”, and those affected have been promised compensation. But Mr. Ousalice says he now has cancer and is yet to receive any money.

An independent review, published last year alongside Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s apology, suggested 49 ways the government could make reparations to those affected – including an “appropriate financial reward” capped at £50m overall.

A government spokesperson said it has already delivered on more than half of the recommendations and is working “at pace” to deliver those that remain.

But details of how compensation will be paid and how much each person will be entitled to are yet to be released.

Mr. Ousalice, from Merseyside, was a radio operator in the Navy from 1976 until 1993 and fought in the Falklands War.

During his almost 18 years of service, he was investigated as a “suspected homosexual” around nine times. Eventually, he was dismissed because a court martial ruled his sexuality was “prejudicial to good order and naval discipline”.

Mr. Ousalise believes his bosses found out about his sexuality after he told a padre – a chaplain in the armed forces – that he was bisexual.

As Mr. Ousalice had been dismissed after almost 18 years, he was not able to finish his 22-year-contact, which would have meant he could have immediately claimed a pension of at least £500 a month. He also had his Navy award medals taken off of him when he was dismissed.

Mr. Ousalice said: “I was willing to give my life to them, but it was all just taken away from me.

“We class our armed forces as our heroes. Is this how the government treats their heroes?”

He says his home was repossessed, his debts mounted and on several occasions, he stole food to survive.

Mr. Ousalice believes he would have received more than £100,000 in pension payments by now if he had not been dismissed. He says the £50m promised by the government is “not enough” to cover everyone affected.

Mr. Ousalice was diagnosed with prostate cancer 18 months ago, which has now spread to his chest and doctors believe it has spread to his brain.
He is concerned that he does not have enough time left to get any compensation for his dismissal.

“I want to get that compensation and see [this campaign] through to the end,” he says.
“It’s sort of the last battle I’ve got and it’s with the Ministry of Defence.”

Craig Jones, executive chairman of the campaign group Fighting with Pride, said it was important the government act fast for veterans like Mr. Ousalice. He said: “Time is running out for many of those who are sick, old and impoverished.
“Fighting With Pride made detailed proposals for a financial compensation scheme in 2020 and provided further advice in August last year – however, [the government] seem no nearer to entering into meaningful discussions.

“The government must now move quickly to deliver proper recompense to all those affected by this hateful policy.”

A government spokesperson said they would provide more compensation information “as soon as they can” and encouraged LGBT veterans to apply for restorative measures through the government’s support pages.

Further reading

Unfair dismissal – Oakwood Solicitors

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