{"id":2038556,"date":"2023-09-20T11:40:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T15:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lgbt-veterans-discharged-under-dont-ask-dont-tell-to-get-extra-pentagon-resources\/"},"modified":"2023-09-20T11:42:17","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T15:42:17","slug":"lgbt-veterans-discharged-under-dont-ask-dont-tell-to-get-extra-pentagon-resources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lgbt-veterans-discharged-under-dont-ask-dont-tell-to-get-extra-pentagon-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBT veterans dismissed due to &#8216;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell&#8217; policy to receive additional Pentagon support."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flgbt-veterans-discharged-under-dont-ask-dont-tell-to-get-extra-pentagon-resources%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2038556&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>The Department of Defense Supports Retired LGBT Veterans Affected by\u2063 &#8220;Don&#8217;t Ask, Don&#8217;t Tell&#8221;<\/h2>\n<p>The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced new resources aimed at\u200c assisting retired LGBT veterans who received less than honorable discharges due to their sexual orientation under the &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell&#8221; policy. This policy, officially known as DOD Instruction \u20621304.26, was in effect from 1994 to 2011 and prohibited \u2062members of the LGBT community from openly serving in the military. However, if they kept their sexual\u200c orientation hidden, they could continue their\u2063 service.<\/p>\n<p>The DOD&#8217;s renewed efforts to support these veterans coincide with the 12th \u200danniversary of the repeal of &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell.&#8221; Defense Secretary Lloyd \u2063Austin expressed his appreciation for the sacrifices made by LGBTQ+ service members,\u2063 stating, &#8220;For decades, our LGBTQ+ Service members were forced to hide or\u2063 were \u200bprevented from serving altogether. Even still, they selflessly put themselves in harm\u2019s way for the good \u2063of our\u2064 country and the American people.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, many of these service members were discharged from the military solely because of their \u200dsexual\u2064 orientation, leaving \u2062them without access to the benefits and\u2063 services they had earned. Recognizing this injustice, the DOD\u200c has \u2064been working to make it easier\u200b for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lgbt-veterans-discharged-under-dont-ask-dont-tell-to-get-extra-pentagon-resources\/\" title=\"LGBT veterans dismissed due to 'don't ask, don't tell' policy to receive additional Pentagon support.\">service members\u2064 discharged\u200c based<\/a> on their sexual orientation to correct their military records and obtain the benefits they deserve.<\/p>\n<p>Over 13,000 service members were discharged under the\u200b &#8220;Homosexual Conduct&#8221; policy during the 17 years of &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell,&#8221; with only slightly more than half \u2064receiving an honorable discharge. \u2064The type of discharge a\u2063 service member\u200b receives\u200b can significantly impact their eligibility for various veterans \u200cbenefits, such as VA loan programs, college tuition assistance, and healthcare.<\/p>\n<p>To assist these veterans, the \u2063DOD\u2062 will provide podcasts, online webinars, and\u2062 learning modules to guide them through \u2062the \u200dprocess of applying for a change in\u2064 discharge from the Military Department Review\u2064 Boards.\u200d Additionally, the\u200d DOD is launching a proactive review initiative to identify veterans affected by the policy and \u200dconduct preliminary reviews using existing personnel and policies.<\/p>\n<p>Deputy Defense Secretary \u200dKathleen Hicks revealed that \u2064approximately four out of five veterans who\u200d have applied\u2064 for an upgraded discharge have been successful. The DOD&#8217;s proactive outreach efforts will begin once proper \u2063training and protocols are in place to ensure the\u200b process is conducted correctly.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What\u200d challenges do retired LGBT veterans affected by the &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell&#8221; policy face in accessing healthcare and \u200dbenefits?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Ts to \u2063support retired LGBT veterans affected by the &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell&#8221; policy is a significant step towards \u200brectifying\u200b past \u200cinjustices and \u200dproviding much-needed assistance to a marginalized \u200cgroup of individuals. The resources provided by the DOD aim \u200cto address the\u200c challenges faced by these \u200dveterans, including access \u200dto healthcare, benefits, and retirement benefits, as well as the opportunity to upgrade their discharge statuses.<\/p>\n<p>One of the key issues faced by retired LGBT veterans affected by &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell&#8221; is \u2063the\u200c denial of access to certain benefits and healthcare services due to their less than honorable discharges. The\u2064 DOD&#8217;s new resources seek to\u200b address this disparity by providing support in navigating the complicated process of\u200b upgrading discharge statuses. This will allow these veterans to access the benefits they rightfully deserve, including healthcare services that are \u200bessential for their well-being.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the DOD&#8217;s \u2064efforts to support retired LGBT veterans also include initiatives to ensure fair treatment and recognition of their service.\u2062 This includes revisiting Department \u200dof Defense policies \u200band\u200d regulations to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-and-biden-continue-their-war-against-american-women-and-children\/\" title=\"Kamala And Biden Continue Their War Against American Women And Children\">prevent discrimination based<\/a> on sexual orientation and strengthening protections for LGBT military personnel.<\/p>\n<p>The significance of the DOD&#8217;s announcement cannot be overstated. For far too long, retired LGBT veterans who served their country with courage and \u2064dedication have been denied the recognition, benefits,\u200d and support they deserve. The discriminatory policies of &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell&#8221; have\u200c had a lasting impact on the lives of these individuals, leading to less than \u2064honorable discharges that have prevented them\u2063 from\u200b fully reintegrating into civilian life.<\/p>\n<p>By\u200b acknowledging the impact of the\u2063 &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell&#8221; policy on retired LGBT veterans and providing the necessary resources, the DOD is taking a crucial step towards <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-says-native-adoptions-can-be-given-priority-to-tribal-families\/\" title=\"Supreme Court prioritizes tribal families for Native adoptions.\">rectifying past injustices<\/a>. It sends a powerful\u2063 message of support and inclusivity, reinforcing the values of equality\u200c and \u200cfairness within the \u2063military community.<\/p>\n<p>The DOD&#8217;s actions serve as a reminder that progress is possible and that the rights and well-being of all veterans, regardless of sexual orientation, should be \u2062protected and prioritized. It is an opportunity for\u2063 the \u2064military to demonstrate its commitment to\u200c inclusivity, diversity, and respect\u200d for the rights of its personnel.<\/p>\n<p>While the DOD&#8217;s efforts are commendable, more work needs to be done to fully address the impact of the &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell&#8221; policy on retired LGBT veterans. Continued advocacy and support are essential to ensure that these individuals receive the recognition, benefits, and assistance they deserve.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, \u2063the Department of Defense&#8217;s support for retired LGBT veterans affected by the &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell&#8221; policy is a significant step towards\u200b rectifying past injustices. The provision of resources to address the challenges faced \u2062by these veterans demonstrates\u2062 a commitment to inclusivity and fairness within the military community. It is an opportunity \u2064for the military to prioritize the rights and\u2062 well-being of all veterans, regardless of sexual orientation, and to \u200censure that they receive the recognition and support they rightly deserve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Department of Defense has introduced new support for retired LGBT veterans who were discharged with a dishonorable status due to their sexual orientation under the &#8220;don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell&#8221; policy. This policy, known as DOD Instruction 1304.26, was enforced until recently.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2038557,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2038556","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2038556","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2038556"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2038556\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2038557"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2038556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2038556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2038556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}