Please do not quote. Here's another reason whyNot legal advice, but generally there's a reason gay people in the military used to keep closeted.... I didn't say it was a good policy, just a reaction to it.
This was supposed to air Veteran's Day week (November 11, 2024), but without getting into the multiple reasons (some bad, some more decent), it aired sooner.
DADT (Don't ask don't tell) was probably the best compromise Bill Clinton could do at the time, because before that even an accusation would screw you forever. Obama tried to get rid of it and move forward. Biden has been trying to continue Obama's work with this.... There are still a large number of LGBT Vets who have dishonorable discharges or "less than honorable discharge." Whatever the differences, it's still not good to say the least. Fortunately, now after practically a lifetime, some DOD review is occurring to retroactively right this mess. It's a start... We hope.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/military-veterans-honorable-discharges-dont-ask-dont-tell-review/#:~:text=More%20than%20800%20veterans%20who%20were%20kicked%20out,Secretary%20of%20Defense%20Lloyd%20J.%20Austin%20announced%20Tuesday.Q: When did you first attempt to get your dishonorable discharge upgraded?"
A: Shoot, back in like 2013 or so.
Q: And nothing?
A: Yeah, it just stalled I mean there was just there it didn't feel like there was any hope for anything
(Statement of former Naval Officer [Name Redacted] dishonorably discharged for being gay/lesbian, CBS News, "More than 800 military veterans receive honorable discharges from Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" records review" October 15th, 2024)
What's worse are those who were at least seemingly thrown out for being gay "without it being because they were gay" "There was an accusation that someone was in your room and you put your hand on his knee and kissed him on the cheek." The allegation alone turned into an indictment of "indecent assault," and threats from the Air Force, "We're bringing you to
Court Marshal and it's not going to be anything to do with sexuality. That you are going to be charged with 'indecent assault' which is a federal felony" The Air Force admitted in writing that homosexuality was a factor in the case (See video link), a letter to [Airman's Name Redacted]'s mother, said he was dishonorably discharged.
"Captain [Airman's Name Redacted]' had no healthcare and no benefits. He couldn't even get hired as a census taker."
Hand on knee. Kiss on Cheek. Federal Felony? Either he did far more or there's something not right?
The Former Airman has given up trying as of the date of the video's publication October 15, 2024, "I'm just like. OK, we're done. I'm done. I'm not gonna go beg." "[Airman's Name Redacted] has always maintained his innocence says the incident in question never happened."
The DOD spokesman stated, "In order to be true to what we tried to do by getting rid of Don't Ask Don't Tell. It's not just about the future. It's also about making sure we correct this. We can and we should."
*A Court Marshal is a military tribunal or court where members of the military found guilty are sentenced under Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) through Judge Advocate General JAG Military Attorneys under the Manual for Courts-Martial. This is not NJP Non-judicial punishment.
https://img.atlasobscura.com/6G49ttZpvq2ezTNquInniVW72RoucTRDwiI4T3dJZ7M/rs:fill:12000:12000/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL2Fzc2V0/cy82N2ExYjBhY2Uy/NmU0MTMyOTVfTWF0/bG92aWNoLmpwZw.jpgThat headstone hits a little harder today, "They gave me a metal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one."
Please do not quote.