Pentagon Settles with LGBTQ Veterans on Discharges

The U.S. Department of Defense has agreed to a settlement to overhaul its process for LGBTQ veterans seeking honorable discharges, following a legal case filed by veterans dismissed under the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy. The settlement aims to streamline the discharge upgrade process, removing references to sexual orientation from service records, which can affect benefits eligibility. More than 35,000 veterans are potentially affected by this agreement, which must be approved by U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero. The 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, in effect from 1993 to 2011, led to the discharge of thousands based on their sexual orientation. The settlement addresses claims that the Defense Department's previous handling of discharge records violated constitutional rights, and it offers a path for veterans to restore their honor and access to benefits. The Department of Defense has not yet commented on the settlement.