Documenting Courage: Veterans Speak Out
The Human Rights Campaign is proud to join with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) in recognizing the contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans through our project Documenting Courage: Veterans Speak Out.
What You Can Do
- Download Documenting Courage: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Veterans Speak Out
As a key component of the Documenting Courage project, HRC, SLDN and AVER are collecting stories to educate members of Congress, the administration and the public on the tremendous contributions GLBT veterans have made to the U.S. armed forces.
- Submit your own personal story
- Read Veterans' Stories
Learn More about U.S. Military Policy
Under the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue, don't harass" policy, gay, lesbian and bisexual service members are prohibited from serving openly. Current military regulations also medically disqualify transsexual men and women from service. The Human Rights Campaign is working with allied organizations to educate members of Congress and the public about the contributions of GLBT service men and women. Learn more by visiting Issues: Military.
Learn More about Project Co-Sponsors
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network#
SLDN is dedicated to ending witch-hunts, death threats, imprisonment, lesbian-baiting, discharges and other discriminatory actions against men and women in the military harmed by "don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue, don't harass," and related policies, through direct legal assistance, watchdog activities, policy work, outreach and education, and litigation support. Visit SLDN's website at www.sldn.org
American Veterans for Equal Rights#
AVER is a non-profit, chapter-based association of active, reserve and veteran service members dedicated to full and equal rights and equitable treatment for all present and former members of the U.S. armed forces. Visit AVER's website at www.aver.us.
Other Online Resources
Transgender American Veterans Association
TAVA acts proactively with other concerned GLBT organizations to ensure that transsexual and transgendered veterans will receive appropriate care for medical conditions in accordance with the Veterans Health Administration Customer Service Standards promise to "treat you with courtesy and dignity … as the first class citizen that you are." Visit TAVA's website at www.tavausa.org.