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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Peter Walker Senior political correspondent

Wes Streeting describes ‘unbelievable volume’ of homophobic abuse since becoming defence secretary

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stands at a podium with microphones, looking to the side
Streeting said that apart from on social media, being the first gay defence secretary had been ‘almost entirely unremarked upon’. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Wes Streeting has described receiving a mass of homophobic abuse since he was made defence secretary last month, while also saying his appointment had been welcomed by some in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as a sign of change.

Until 2000, gay men and lesbian women were banned from serving in the UK military, with about 200-plus personnel thrown out of the forces each year due to their sexuality – an estimate, as proper records were not kept.

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