LGBTQ military veterans who received other-than-honorable discharges for their sexuality, gender identity or HIV status are nonetheless eligible for government benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week. More than 14,000 service members were forced out of the military under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which was established in 1994 under former President Bill Clinton. Each member who was forced out was given an other-than-honorable discharge and, as such, was unable to receive health care, guaranteed home loans or disability compensation, among other benefits. Kayla Williams, assistant secretary for public affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs, said that Monday’s announcement was a clarification of existing rules, rather than a legal change. “LGBTQ+ Veterans are not any less worthy of the care and services that all Veterans earn through their service, and VA is committed to making sure that they have equal access to those services.”The VA’s announcement took place exactly 10 years after the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” under former President Barack Obama.

Source: Huffington Post September 21, 2021 20:26 UTC