Bill to Restore Benefits for LGBTQ Veterans Moves Forward
On March 22, the Colorado House State, Civic, Military, & Veteran’s Affairs Committee advanced a bill that would ensure dishonorably discharged LGBTQ veterans could receive the veteran benefits that they earned.
The committee passed the bill by a vote of 8-3.
The bill is sponsored by Senator Dominick Moreno and Representative David Ortiz.
“I consider every veteran a family member, and by advancing this bill today, I’m hoping to do right by the brothers and sisters who served with honor and were unjustly discharged,” said Representative Ortiz, D-Littleton. “I know all-too-well the work they did and the sacrifices they made to earn the benefits that were stripped from them because they dared express who they truly are. As a veteran and a member of the LGBTQ caucus, helping them regain access to these programs and supports seems like the least we can do.”
Before the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” in 2010, those in the military could be dishonorably discharged if it was revealed that they were LGBTQ. Being dishonorably discharged prevents those with that label from applying for benefits that are usually available to veterans. More than 100,000 people were dishonorably discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation since World War II.
The bill would create a “discharged LGBT veteran” status for those who were dishonorably discharged because of their sexual identity. This will allow them to apply for and receive the veteran’s benefits that they deserve. The board of veterans affairs will determine whether or not a person qualifies as a LGBT discharged veteran.
In 2011, President Obama adopted a policy that allowed LGBTQ veterans to apply for a discharge review, which could restore their benefits if they were dishonorably discharged because of their sexual orientation. However, it has still been a struggle for some veterans, and many have had to hire lawyers in order to get their status changed.
In February, President Biden repealed the transgender military ban that Donald Trump had enacted during his term.
