The Pentagon has announced that over 800 veterans discharged from the US military due to their sexual orientation will now receive honourable discharges.
Under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which was in effect from 1994 until its repeal in 2011, thousands of openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members were forced out of the military. Many received less-than-honourable discharges, which prevented them from accessing crucial veteran benefits, including healthcare, student loans, and tuition assistance.
Just over a year ago, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin directed a review of veterans’ records to assess the possibility of upgrading discharge statuses.
In a statement on Tuesday, Austin honoured “the service and sacrifice of all our troops – including the brave Americans who raised their hands to serve but were turned away because of whom they love.”
Following the review, nearly all of the 13,500 individuals discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy have now been granted honourable discharges. Veterans affected by this decision will have their discharge papers automatically updated and can request copies of their revised discharge certification.
The Pentagon informed CBS News that any veterans who believe they were wrongly excluded from Tuesday’s decision can also request corrections to their military records.
The US military’s stance on gay and bisexual service members has evolved in recent years. In June, President Joe Biden issued pardons to thousands of individuals previously convicted under military law due to their sexual orientation.
