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<p>While HIV is not an issue exclusive to the LGBT+ community and, therefore, was
not specified in the Terms of Reference for the LGBT Veterans Independent Review,
Defence recognises the importance of the subject to the community. The Ministry of
Defence, jointly with the Office for Veterans Affairs in the Cabinet Office, commissioned
the Review to gain further insight into the lived experience of our LGBT+ veterans
and facilitate the creation of a more inclusive future for all. The broad Terms of
Reference enable the Review to consider the lived experience of LGBT+ personnel who
also had HIV. The full terms of reference are available at the following link: <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terms-of-reference-for-the-lgbt-veterans-independent-review/terms-of-reference-independent-review-into-service-and-experience-of-lgbt-veterans-who-served-prior-to-2000"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terms-of-reference-for-the-lgbt-veterans-independent-review/terms-of-reference-independent-review-into-service-and-experience-of-lgbt-veterans-who-served-prior-to-2000</a></p><p>
</p><p>It is important to note that, regardless of sexuality, under policies in place
at the time anyone with HIV would have been prevented from serving or medically discharged.
Contemporary policy was based on specialist medical opinion and included consideration
of the risk to the individual if operational circumstances precluded access to essential
medication or specialist services; and the cost-benefit of training an individual
with a chronic medical condition in a fixed liability organisation. How the virus
was contracted was not relevant; simply having HIV disqualified individuals from Service
until 21 June 2022.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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