The 10-Year Anniversary of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal

2021-09-23T16:17:44-04:00

The repeal of DADT gave LGB service members the freedom to serve without having to hide an essential part of themselves. It also recognized what so many of us already knew to be true: That one’s ability to serve in the military should be measured by character, skills and abilities, not who one loves.

For LGB service members, repeal of DADT meant freedom from having to go through the inhumanity of having to lie about the basic aspects of their lives in order to serve in uniform. For many, the repeal also meant freedom from abuse and harassment from leaders and colleagues who disregarded the policy’s explicit bar on pursuing and targeting suspected service members. In truth, there was never an effective mechanism under DADT that truly protected service members from harassment, and repeal was the only way that service members were able to seek recourse against harassment.

As a bisexual Veteran, I chose to present as straight during the push to repeal DADT. It made sense at the time that there was a more pressing need for me as a woman married to a man to say, “No one in my unit cared if anyone was gay while we were in Iraq.” I could talk credibly about how the lack of sufficient Arabic linguists harmed our effectiveness downrange, and my own identity seemed irrelevant. It took many years for me to shed the toxic legacy of having served under DADT and come back out of the closet; I’m proud to recognize this anniversary as my authentic self.

At VA, we continuously work not only to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ Veterans, but also to address ongoing issues that LGBTQ+ Veterans face as a result of the military’s decades-long official policy of homophobia and transphobia. Earlier this year, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough made it a priority to ensure that LGBTQ+ Veterans have the same level of access to VA care and services as all other Veterans have. Actions he has taken include establishing a task force to examine how VA policies hinder or prohibit access to care and services and working to remove barriers that transgender Veterans face in accessing gender-affirming care.

Today, we are also taking steps to clarify VA policy for Veterans who were given other than honorable discharges based on homosexual conduct, gender identity or HIV status. Under this newly-issued guidance, VA adjudicators shall find that all discharged service members whose separation was due to sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status are considered “Veterans” who may be eligible for VA benefits, like VR&E, home loan guaranty, compensation & pension, health care, homeless program and/or burial benefits, so long as the record does not implicate a statutory or regulatory bar to benefits.

This policy statement does not represent a change in law, as Veterans who were discharged under DADT alone have been generally eligible for benefits under current statute and regulation. However, this policy reiterates what constitutes eligibility for benefits under law. In addition, every Character of Discharge case that is initially considered for denial will also get a second look before that action is taken. Given that large numbers of LGBTQ+ Veterans who were affected by previous homophobic and transphobic policies have not applied for a discharge upgrade (https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/) due to the perception that the process could be onerous, we are hopeful that this policy statement encourages more of them to contact VA to determine their eligibility for care and services. https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/

Although VA recognizes that the trauma caused by the military’s decades-long policy of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people cannot be undone in a few short months, the Biden administration and Secretary McDonough are taking the steps necessary to begin addressing the pain that such policies have created. 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.

How To Apply For A Discharge Upgrade | Veterans Affairs

Want to apply for a military discharge upgrade or correction? Get step-by-step instructions depending on your specific situation. If your discharge is upgraded, you'll be eligible for VA benefits you earned while serving.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Sep 23 at 2021 6:00 PM

2021-09-23T18:00:19-04:00

Bullseye. With 25 years of time I darn well know I served with LGB service members. And it was really bad how it was under Reagan for them, but I never ever seen anyone shirk their duty.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Sep 23 at 2021 7:52 PM

2021-09-23T19:52:44-04:00

There's a big difference between who one is attracted to vs subjective identity delusions. The latter is not normal. People are put out or kept from joining the military for many reasons, mental instability is one of them.

Response by Bobby Ch made Sep 24 at 2021 3:13 AM

2021-09-24T03:13:22-04:00

Please do not get worry about all the problems God bless you all.

Response by Bobby Ch made Sep 24 at 2021 10:31 AM

2021-09-24T10:31:27-04:00

By reading this I understand every person who worked as a service man will get more benefits so do not worry no body is taken care of you.

Response by PO1 Mark Koenig made Sep 24 at 2021 2:06 PM

2021-09-24T14:06:26-04:00

I am confused by some of this because it reads that people who at the time of enlistment felt they had to be deceptive, which lead to their trauma?
I am only familiar with the UCMJ and how it relates to this subject. Our oaths of enlistment do not include our sexual activities unless they are out of alignment with the statutes.

Suggesting that people don't care is partially true in that people don't care about things they don't need to know. So don't put your sexuality out there as something to be promoted or that somehow it adds value to the mission.

Response by 1SG Rick Caldwell made Sep 25 at 2021 10:39 PM

2021-09-25T22:39:45-04:00

I’m glad to see it go. The military and its leadership needed another thing to worry about. Next up, three separate shower facilities in the field instead of one for combat units. No, these changes aren’t going to create problems.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2021 2:15 PM

2021-09-26T14:15:38-04:00

We were reading about this afloat, from the news feed on unclass msg board. Sec Aspin and all the rest. One said HRC referred to usmucks as drunken robots. We were OTH of Somalia at the time.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Sep 29 at 2021 12:05 PM

2021-09-29T12:05:50-04:00

Oddly enough I feel like more homosexual behavior existed during DADT vs after it was repealed. Even after I found out there was a same-sex married couple in my third unit it didn't really strike me that anything changed. Then again I never really had anything other than a strictly-work relationship with any and all colleagues (which did make things difficult during counseling/mentoring sessions). One constant from then to now is any married couples in the unit had to be professional at all times, and if any couple didn't do so both individuals tended to quickly lose the respect of their peers and subordinates.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 29 at 2021 6:52 PM

2021-09-29T18:52:39-04:00

My feelings now remain the same as they were ten years ago, I could care less the gender of the person you sleep with. One of the best nurses you could have taken care of you in the ICU and professional officers never spoke of his orientation and I learned of it the same way he learned mine, by introduction of one's spouse. We need to get away from focusing so much on how we are different and focus on getting along and achieving the mission.

Response by CPL Frank Glahn made Oct 22 at 2021 9:45 PM

2021-10-22T21:45:25-04:00

Your sexual orientation is your own business, as long as it doesn't directly affect me or the mission.

Response by SPC Julio R. made Nov 12 at 2021 1:14 PM

2021-11-12T13:14:25-05:00

OH BOY HERE COME THE HOMOPHOBES THAT SECRETLY HARBOR FEELINGS AND ARE IN THE CLOSET THEMSELVES. I COULD CARE LESS HOW YOU WANT IN THE BED WITH YOU ALL I CARE ABOUT IT IF YOU HAVE MY 12, 15, 6, OR 45. YOU'RE GARBAGE IF YOU HATE THE LGBTQ FOLKS THEY ARE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME. YOU MUST ALSO BE RACIST AND I WORKED WITH A LOT OF HOMOPHOBIC RACISTS IN MY DAY COWARDS THAT HIDE BEHIND THE UNIFORM. BLUE FALCON TRASH AND CHEESE DCKIN NOBODIES. I worked with a gay soldier(s) tougher than anyone I knew I didn't care who they were with for it was none of my damn business. I hate that desk jockeys get to put their religious beliefs and or personal opinions on paper to not allow this or that. we don't need homophobes and racists in charge of the troop's whether it'd be a sarn't or officer or bottom of the barrel politicians.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Jan 14 at 2022 4:51 PM

2022-01-14T16:51:15-05:00

I didn't care about who slept with what gender back then and I don't care now. The LGBTQ soldiers I served with before the repeal were often more professional than everyone else. We also appreciated the fact that they didn't judge me for being Black and pretty much all alone in my branch (I was a Forward Observer and caught hell for being the only one like me) and I didn't judge them for their lifestyle choices. We had mutual respect & admiration for one another and a complete disdain for the asshats that were senior to us in rank and subordinate to us in smarts but still got all the breaks because of the butt-kissing they did.