Pentagon Grants Honorable Discharges to Over 800 Veterans Expelled Under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Oct 15, 2024, 09:45 PM

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday that the Pentagon has upgraded the discharges of more than 800 veterans who were separated from the U.S. military due to their sexual orientation under the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. In effect from February 1994 to September 2011, the policy prohibited openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals from serving in the armed forces. The upgraded discharges change the veterans' records to reflect honorable discharges, potentially unlocking access to benefits and services previously denied. The move follows a year-long review of cases of troops forced to leave the services because of their sexual orientation and is part of ongoing efforts to rectify past discrimination against LGBTQ+ service members.