by Henry Berg-Brousseau •
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) praises the Biden-Harris Administration and Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough for issuing guidance that would ensure service members discharged due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity are afforded the VA benefits they rightfully earned.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, praises the Biden-Harris Administration and Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough for issuing guidance that would ensure service members discharged due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status who received an Other Than Honorable (OTH) or Entry-Level Separation (ELS) discharges based solely on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status are afforded the VA benefits they rightfully earned. By issuing this guidance, the Biden-Harris Administration and VA Secretary Denis McDonough demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ veterans and their families.
Despite serving our nation with incredible bravery, over 100,000 American service members were discharged from our armed forces solely because of who they loved or who they were. For many of these veterans, the injustice didn’t stop when their careers were cut short. Because LGBTQ+ veterans often received “other than honorable” discharges, they were deemed ineligible for the vitally important services and benefits they earned.
We are grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for taking this step to mend the immeasurable harm caused by the military’s hateful anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
Many LGBTQ+ veterans forced out of the military due to anti-LGBTQ+ policies were released with other-than-honorable discharges, leaving them without access to education, housing, and healthcare benefits they earned. The new guidance announced today signals a meaningful commitment to repair the harm caused by these harmful policies.
Today, nearly 6.1 percent of U.S. military personnel self-identify as LGBTQ+. HRC will continue to stand with these service members and veterans in their fight for equal treatment to ensure their rights are protected, their safety is guaranteed, and their service is honored.
To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. Members of the media can reach our press office at: (202) 572-8968 or email press@hrc.org.
Image:
100% of every HRC merchandise purchase fuels the fight for equality.