Recently, a former senior aircraft technician of the Royal Air Force who was dismissed due to his sexual orientation has received an official apology, which has drawn widespread attention.


Former Senior Aircraftman Technician Shephard (right), received an apology letter, a beret and a cap badge from local MP Gideon Amos (left)

Image source: BBC.


In 1999, Senior Aircraft Technician Mark Sheppard was suddenly asked to leave the Royal Air Force. At that time, he faced two options: leave immediately or apply for premature voluntary release. Mr. Sheppard chose the latter because leaving immediately would require him to return the previous bonus. He said that he "had no choice but to put in my PVR."


On December 13th, at Taunton Town Hall, Mr. Sheppard received an apology from local councillor Gideon Amos. This apology is part of the restorative measures plan for those affected by the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the British military between 1967 and 2000. During the ceremony, Sir Rich Knighton, the Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force, and Simon Edwards, the Director of Personnel, apologized to Mr. Sheppard via video for the treatment he received. Mr. Amos also presented him with a commemorative box containing a signed apology letter, a new beret, and a cap badge. He also received the Etherington ribbon designed by serving and former LGBT service personnel.


Mark Shephard was asked to leave the RAF in 1999 Image source: BBC.

In an interview, Mr. Sheppard said that he had not told his friends and family the real reason for his dismissal until recently, and they were all shocked when they found out because they thought he had left voluntarily. He also mentioned that he didn't know that his sexual orientation was not allowed in the military when he joined. However, Mr. Sheppard still continues to work with the military and is currently a systems support engineer at RNAS Yeovilton Aquila.


Regarding the restorative measures, the UK government website states that there are two parts - new restorative measures and previously existing restorative measures. The new measures are the result of the Independent Review of LGBT Veterans published in July 2023. Former military personnel dismissed due to their sexual behavior must apply for restorative measures instead of receiving them automatically because of the long time since the ban was lifted and deficiencies in record-keeping. This event not only brings long-overdue justice to Mr. Sheppard personally but also draws more attention to the difficulties faced by the LGBT community in the military and the implementation of relevant restorative measures.


Editor: News Editorial Department-Daya