The Pentagon is launching a new outreach campaign to help LGBTQ+ service members who feel they suffered an error or injustice before the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to correct their military records. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a statement addressing the fact that for decades, LGBTQ+ service members were forced to hide their identity or were prevented from serving altogether. He said, “In the coming weeks, we will be initiating new outreach campaigns to encourage all service members and veterans who believe they have suffered an error or injustice to seek correction to their military records. Congress repealed the military’s policy, which prohibited openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual people from serving in the armed forces, in September 2011. According to Pentagon data, more than 13,000 people were separated from the military under the department’s “homosexual conduct” policy from 1994 to 2011 under varying conditions – including honorable, general, other than honorable, and unknown. Personnel will now identify veterans’ records who show their separation was due to their sexual orientation and who received a discharge that was less than honorable. A panel will then determine if those records need upgrading, and send the individuals’ names to the service secretaries for consideration and potential correction.
2024 Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade Live Broadcast
June 19, 2024
