In a move to address the enduring aftermath of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy, LGBTQ+ veterans have embarked on a legal battle against the Department of Defense. A recently filed class action lawsuit in the US District Court of Northern California underscores the persistent plight of these veterans who received dishonorable discharges due to their sexual orientation.
Initiated by plaintiffs who have been personally affected, the lawsuit highlights the compelling need to rectify the consequences of DADT. Under this policy, introduced in 1993 during the Clinton administration, LGBTQ+ service members were allowed to serve only if they remained closeted. Those who were openly identified were subjected to dishonorable discharges, subsequently barring them from vital veterans’ benefits such as healthcare and educational support.
Though DADT was repealed in 2011, and further extended to encompass transgender individuals in 2016, more than 13,000 veterans still bear the weight of dishonorable discharges, according to the Williams Institute. The recent legal action seeks to overturn these discharges and expunge records of their sexual orientation, aiming to alleviate the distressing impact of this discriminatory legacy.
In a poignant statement, veteran Steven Egland, a plaintiff in the case, emphasized the psychological toll of dishonorable discharge on LGBTQ+ veterans. He stated that the circumstances of his discharge have been a constant reminder of the trauma he endured, preventing him from taking pride in his service to the nation.
Lawyers representing the plaintiffs have underscored the daunting challenges in the existing discharge upgrade process. They argue that it is arduous, opaque, and financially burdensome, making it an almost inaccessible avenue for many veterans. This lawsuit brings to light the incongruity of veterans having to appeal to the very institution that implemented DADT-driven injustices.
As LGBTQ+ veterans step into the courtroom to seek justice and restoration of their rights, the case underscores the imperative to rectify the historical prejudice endured by these individuals who proudly served their country.