Department of Defense officials announced that they have given over 800 service members honorable discharges who were separated from the U.S. military for their sexual orientation under the now-repealed “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. This comes after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s directive to review the records of LGBTQ veterans dismissed during this era. The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was put in place in 1994 and officially repealed in 2011, leading to over 13,000 service members being discharged.
Advocates have long been fighting for justice for LGBTQ service members who faced discrimination, with around 100,000 being pushed out of the military due to their sexual orientation between World War II and 2011. Following the policy’s repeal, veterans were able to appeal for an upgrade to an honorable discharge, making them eligible for various military benefits.
A recent analysis found that LGBTQ service members and veterans face economic insecurity, housing instability, and mental health concerns due to discrimination. After a review of military records, almost 97% of cases were upgraded to honorable discharges. Despite this progress, a lawsuit filed by LGBTQ veterans over the denial of honorable discharges continues, claiming a violation of constitutional rights.
The decision by U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero to allow the lawsuit to proceed indicates potential relief for LGBTQ veterans who served with dignity and integrity despite facing discriminatory policies. The attorneys involved hope to ensure that LGBTQ veterans receive the honor they rightfully deserve for their service to the country.
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