A view of the Pentagon on December 13, 2024, in Washington, DC
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images
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Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images
Despite the fact that the ban on gay troupes ended over a decade ago, a surprisingly small fraction of the population the tens of thousands of veterinarians concerned have accessed the benefits due to them.
The Pentagon has now accepted settle a class action it could be a game-changer for about 35,000 veterans.
“This settlement is not just about rectifying the records; it is about restoring the honor and pride that LGBTQ+ veterans have always deserved but been denied,” said Lilly Steffanides, U.S. Navy veteran and plaintiff in this case. “I hope this will bring justice to those who served courageously but found themselves facing exclusion and discrimination.”
Steffanid told NPR in 2023, that the stigma of being suddenly “outed” to their family in 1988 led to years of addiction and homelessness. Having an “other than honorable” discharge meant no automatic access to VA benefits or health care. It’s a scarlet letter when employers ask about military service; many veterans would deny having served rather than reveal documents proving they had been deported for homosexual activity.
In 2011, after a long campaign led by veterans and LGBTQ activiststhe Obama administration ended the ban. In the years since, the integration of gay and lesbian troops has been hailed as a huge success with no effect on unit cohesion or combat readiness, according to the Pentagon. But plaintiffs in the lawsuit say lingering stigma and a mountain of red tape have prevented many veterans from applying to improve their discharged status and getting the benefits they had earned.
The Pentagon announced a proactive review of layoffs under “don’t ask, don’t tell” — the 1993 Clinton administration policy that barred soldiers from speaking openly about their sexuality — last October, but that proposal payment accepted on Monday will accelerate this review. process considerably if approved by the Northern District Court of California. Instead of individual applications, the settlement will allow veterans to have their cases reviewed in large groups, providing access to VA benefits and honorable discharge papers as early as this summer.
“This proposed settlement provides long-standing justice for LGBTQ+ veterans who served our country with honor, but were denied the dignity and recognition they rightfully deserved due to discriminatory termination policies. Veterans are receiving the recognition and respect that has long been denied them,” said Jocelyn Larkin, an attorney on the plaintiffs’ legal team.
The Pentagon referred questions to the Justice Department, which declined NPR’s request for comment.
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