The U.S. Department of Defense is poised to make significant changes to the discharge statuses of over 30,000 gay and bisexual veterans who were separated from military service due to their sexual orientation, following the historic settlement agreement reached on January 6. This settlement aims to eliminate references to sexual orientation on discharge papers, subsequently allowing these veterans to access crucial benefits.

Under the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, in effect from 1993 to 2011, openly gay and bisexual individuals were barred from serving in the military. Those whose sexual orientation became known could face “other than honorable” discharges, which severely restricted their access to veterans’ benefits such as healthcare and educational assistance. Legal filings indicate that approximately 14,000 service members were discharged under this policy, with an additional 20,000 others dismissed since 1980 for similar reasons.

The Pentagon and five plaintiffs involved in a class-action lawsuit jointly moved for approval of the settlement, which aims to create a more accessible process for veterans seeking to have their discharge records updated. As stated by Chelsea Corey, one of the lead attorneys, including sexual orientation on discharge paperwork illustrates a case of “intentional discrimination.” She noted that the changes would facilitate access to benefits that have been previously denied.

With the proposed settlement pending judicial approval by U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero on February 12, the initiatives are expected to streamline how veterans can apply for discharge upgrades and remove discriminatory language from their records. Sherrill Farrell, a lead plaintiff and Navy veteran, expressed profound satisfaction with the developments: “When I was discharged because of my sexual orientation, I felt that my country was telling me that my service was not valuable.”

Prior attempts by the Defense Department to facilitate the appeals process often placed burdens on veterans to procure their prior service record documentation—an effort described as fraught with delays and complications. “This proposed settlement will alleviate the immense challenges faced by LGBTQ+ veterans in seeking corrections to their discharge records,” stated Zak Sawyer, a representative from the legal team.

Notably, the Pentagon has previously undertaken reviews of cases for military personnel discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Many veterans from earlier efforts reported receiving substantial relief, highlighting the significance of assuring these veterans the recognition they deserve for their service.

Once approved, the settlement could potentially allow affected veterans to begin seeking revisions by summer 2025. Such measures not only aim to amend past injustices but also work towards ensuring that service members face no discrimination in the future, as emphasized by Jules Sohn, a Marine veteran and plaintiff in the case.

The combined legal efforts and changes in policy reflect a broader movement within the military to acknowledge past transgressions regarding LGBTQ+ service personnel and take steps to correct them, ultimately fostering an inclusive environment within the armed forces.

For more details, visit the Reuters article.