Until a European court ruled in 1999 that the British ban on gays in the military violated European human rights laws, the navy, along with the rest of the military, followed a stern policy of dismissing service men and women who were found to be gay or lesbian, often after long and intrusive investigations.

LONDON - Five years after Britain lifted its ban on gays in the military, the British Royal Navy has begun actively encouraging gay men and lesbians to enlist and has pledged to make life easier for them when they do.