The history of sexual orientation discrimination continues to tarnish the record of approximately 11,400 service members were discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation between World War II and the end of DADT in 2011.
For those of us who have been working many years for justice for LGBT people and people living with HIV across the country, there is more hope as well as more determination in the air today as President Obama starts his second term.
President Obama signed into law yesterday a defense budget bill including a clause that may allow service members to invoke “religious conscience” as a defense for illegal discrimination. The President promised to protect the rights of lesbian and gay service members.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" may be gone, but discrimination isn't. The so-called Defense of Marriage Act prevents the federal government from recognizing the marriages of lesbian and gay service members, leaving them and their families without crucial legal protections.
