I kept refreshing my browser, over and over, as midnight approached on September 19, 2011. At 12:01 AM, the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” would be official—and a collector’s edition of OutServe Magazine would be published online. The OutServe headline “101 Faces of Courage” was apt, as it featured pictures of active duty gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members in uniform, with their full names and duty stations, emphasizing the story that yes, thousands of LGB* Americans were already serving with honor.
Finally, the moment came, and the strong, proud faces of uniformed service members filled my screen. And tears filled my eyes.
I left the Army in 1986. A 1980 West Point graduate, I’d been a successful platoon leader, staff officer and company commander. But I gave up the Army—and my dream of returning to the Academy to teach—because I couldn’t risk being discovered as a lesbian. I’d already lived through one “witch hunt,” where senior officers interrogated almost every woman on our post in West Germany asking for names of gays and lesbians. I saw firsthand the waste of talent as the Army lost not just gays and lesbians, but women falsely accused of homosexuality because they wouldn’t date a senior NCO or officer.
Years later, I joined legions of Veterans, advocates and the brave but anonymous active duty members of OutServe to fight for, and win, the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
The day after the repeal, tens of thousands of LGB service members went to work in a different world. They could finally put a picture of their significant other on their desk at work. They could finally answer the question “What did you do over the weekend?” without demurring. And yes, they could be honest about their lives, for the first time without fear of losing their jobs.
The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a rousing success for the U.S. Armed Forces. The naysayers had predicted everything from bathroom terrors to deaths on the battlefield, but none of it came to be. As the U.S. Military Academy Sergeant Major told the West Point Board of Visitors in 2012, “We braced for impact—and it wasn’t even a speed bump.” Gay, lesbian and bisexual service members continued to serve with honor and courage.
Sadly, that number included Army Corporal Andrew Wilfahrt and Army Staff Sergeant Donna Johnson, both killed fighting in Afghanistan in the year after repeal.
Today, 12 years later, we have proud LGBTQ Veterans like retired Army Major General Tammy Smith, Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Woods, and former Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz-Jones. Not to mention those of us who work here at VA, including OutServe “alumni” Jon Mills, Ashley Carothers, Justin Dailey, Josh Seefried and Bobat Camacho.
At VA, we strive to ensure that all Veterans—ALL Veterans—feel welcomed and respected. That’s why we fly the rainbow flag during Pride Month in June. Designed by Army Veteran Gilbert Baker to represent the full range of humanity, the flag sends a message to everyone who served that VA is here for you.
We know that LGBTQ Veterans include many who continue to serve our nation beyond their military service, like those mentioned above. We also recognize that among those LGBTQ Veterans are those who were discharged just for being gay or lesbian, many with discharges less than honorable.
But that’s not the last word at VA: If you file a claim or apply to enroll in VA health care, but don’t have an honorable discharge, VA will AUTOMATICALLY initiate a Character of Discharge Review. We’ll reach out to your branch of service for the documents related to your discharge, and we’ll ask you to send us any documents you may have. We’ve undertaken tens of thousands of reviews, and in over 70% of cases, we find that you are eligible for some level of VA care and/or benefits.
We have two important messages for our LGBTQ Veterans: One, thank you for your service, your courage, and your integrity. And two, COME TO VA. We will do everything we can to deliver the care and benefits you’ve earned and so richly deserve. Give us a chance to fight for you, as you fought for us.
*Not “T” – transgender service remained banned until 2016.
Topics in this story
More Stories
VA remains open for business and is closely monitoring the Change Healthcare (CHC) cybersecurity incident.
Carry The Load, an organization dedicated to remembering the fallen, will visit 34 VA National Cemeteries traveling 20,000 miles along five separate routes covering all continental 48 states known as the National Relay for Memorial May 2024.
VA is committed to providing safe, accessible care that meets the unique challenges faced by black mothers.
Might I add.. Transgender people have been serving in our Military for years. Decades. It is just since 2016 that they have been able to be open about their identity and able to transition while in service.
I thank every LGBT+ individual for their service and think these things need to be spoken about more. Thank you for writing this piece.
“When I was bleeding to death in my Black Hawk helicopter after I was shot down, I didn’t care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, straight, transgender, black, white or brown. All that mattered was they didn’t leave me behind,” LTC Tammy Duckworth
I was kicked out of the Air Force for touching the leg of another woman while I had a Top Secret Clearance and was considered a threat to national security. I was NOT “gay” when I signed up. I was 18 and didn’t know what I was. I had a boyfriend at the time. I was also attracted to women. That didn’t make me gay. They investigated me for 9 months, never proved I was gay, cuz I wasn’t and I had several different boyfriends. Never a girlfriend. Still, I got kicked out. Was taken out of my job, demoted in pay, etc. My commander liked me. She gave me an honorable discharge under undesirable conditions. It is NOT ok that LGBT people were EVER scrutinized like this. If you sign up to serve, you should be applauded for it when 99% of the population never did. All you crying about “pansies” and sinners, bla, bla bla, get over yourself.
I’m terribly sorry that I read through the comments section. There is so much hate and division in the world. We need to live together, in peace, as AMERICANS first. AMERICA First.
Exactly. Thank you
I still remember walking into the hangar in the morning (I was a Navy Chief Petty Officer) and being told we senior enlisted and officers were going to have a meeting about “how to break the news” to our junior Sailors. In the meeting, some of the older males were having apoplexy about it, but most were just like “okay”. When I later talked to my Sailors about it, they were like “whatever, can we get back to work now?” And I think the VAST majority of us were just happy that no longer was anyone expected to have to lie and be dishonest about their sexual preferences or to cover their shipmates’ backs. I mean, we could finally focus 100% on the mission instead of on political agendas.
Looking at all of the corruption within human society, how can people stay religious & so critical of each other? Religion was developed by people to control each other, give hope where ignorance of the world prevailed & provide guidelines on right & wrong. Wake up & become accountable for your lives.
I am saddened by this why do you need to promote this please remove me from your list and send NO more va news
Why are you “saddened” Gary. Because they are doing an article about the over 1 million LGBT service members? It’s not “promotion.” It’s telling the truth.
That’s a shame, pretending that this type of lifestyle is OK.
It is also a shame that you require our name and email address. One can only imagine the harassment that I would receive after giving up this information. Shame on you.
It’s not a “lifestyle” it’s how we were born. And it is 100% OK. What is not ok is people like you saying it’s not. Get over yourself. There are over a million LGBT veterans. Be happy they stepped up to serve.
I agree with NCC(AW) Steven R. Fifield (wholeheartedly). These people have strong underlying mental problems that will never allow them to be 100% in the battle should it arise. The military is not the place for those who cannot come to terms with the person God made them to be. The birth certificate tells all. Otherwise, mental treatment should be given, and not the military.
People lack education, but not opinions. They never stop to think about what they. are saying. Consider all the minute variables that define gender and personality, we can not expect everyone to be like we want. For example, some people have an extra chromosome.. Maybe we should expand our mind and accept people as they are. I imagine God would support that. He made them, right?
Being LGBT is NOT a mental illness. Stop sucking up to Trump. Maybe you were at Jan 6 trying to overthrow the Capitol. The majority of the people they caught were ex military. Maybe THEY had the mental problems.
Wow. The moderator is getting butt hurt. Won’t post my comments. Too honest I guess.
I just want to say, people are free to live their lives as they wish, but if you joined the military back in the day when you knew gays and lesbianism were NOT ALLOWED, then you lied! You falsified your enlistment contract…period! I’m sorry but No! Deal with your consequences. We as a society need to stop catering to everyone who claims victimhood or hurt feelings. Grow up and be accountable for God’s sake, this is the military.
I smoked pot before I enlisted too. MANY times.
Just a question and be honest if you will. Do you always do what’s honest? Have you always done the honest thing? This is a Yes or No question with no other way around it. Sad that people always try to justify their personal beliefs by continuing to lye and being dishonest with themselves. If you are telling us that you have never lied or been dishonest to keep out or trouble or even get something that you want, your honesty is certainly in question. It’s impossible for anyone to be perfect, you included kat that’s why we are called humans and not Jesus. That’s one of the problems in the world, too many people lie to themselves and others as being so self righteous. Take a deep hard look into the mirror kat and if you continue to see yourself as that lone, always honest person in the world, get a new mirror ?. Please stop pretending and bellowing these deceitful and ignorant comments, nobody is buying it.
What a joke. This is nothing to be “proud” of. I left the military after 9 years because of the degradation in standards to pander to these pansies. Who gives a crap what you do behind closed/closet doors – just keep it to yourselves. Why the heck does the rest of society have to parade and hail anyone’s twisted idea of sexual preferences. It’s harmful and wrong no matter how you label it.
Don’t ask don’t tell should not have been repealed. In fact, sexual orientation should still be questioned in recruiting to screen out LGBTQ persons from the military. It is sick and embarrassing to have them in the armed forces of the United States of America.
what is sick and embarrassing is that you’re suppose to be an adult and you’re acting like a little kid. You acting like they’re going to hit on you or something. Just because a person is gay doesnt mean they want to be with every male/female they see and this is your problem – they call it homophobia.
You were “embarrassed” that your fellow Americans would sign up to wear the uniform when 99% of the population would not? You are a joke. You should be happy LGBT signed up to risk their lives and fight for yours Steven.
And I agree with Rhoda. I am a lesbian and am CERTAINLY NOT attracted to every woman. FAR from it. In fact, the majority of the population isn’t even that good looking. Maybe you’re sad Steven, cuz no one found you attractive.
NCC(AW) Steven R. Fifield, if you are actively serving, stating your personal opinion online, regardless of what it is, you are wrong and as a CPO, you know that.
Pathetic what our military has lowered itself to. Kneeling for BLM, saluting the Skittles flag, f(l)ag officers confused about their own sex.
If this is America now, then America needs to end. I spent as much of my life in combat zones as America spent in WWII, but you won’t get any of my four sons for your BS neocon wars. They’ll be receiving guerrilla training from me on how to take this corrupt empire down.
Go draft all the “T’s” and mass tac them over Ukraine. I’d pay to watch that.
Anyone who wears the uniform deserves the respect that it brings irrespective of ones personal life, sexuality or orientation. Religion and gods are tools used to keep the really marginal distracted and happy. Even ignorant, bigoted, mouth breathing inbred people can make it in the armed services and they deserve the respect of the uniform as well.
Ok, Brian, what system will you replace it with? What is your background in nation planning and social and functional organizing 300M hungry homeless people? No one seems to offer a better system that what it took us 250 years to build? Far easier to work together on fixinoursh-t maybe?
God loves every human being but he hates evil and it is His desire that all be saved and He gave everyone a choice to either follow Him or believe a lie like LGBT. THE truth will set you FREE. Believe the government or God about LGBT. I LOVE every LGBT person but HATE their lifestyle.
1st of all WHICH “god” are you referring to? Which made up deity are you quoting? Funny, there are 667 sins in the bible. I am sure you have committed 70% of them. The old testament was wiped out when Jesus hung on the cross. Quit cherry picking whose lifestyle you “hate.” Do you hate yourself? Touch a dead pig? Eat shellfish? Wear mixed fabrics? Covet thy neighbors wife? Watch porn? Spread your seed? Sex before Marriage? Divorce? Oh. Did I touch a nerve? You are a sinner.
Freedom is what we as military fight for. That’s the freedom for everyone. A flag is up to represent the struggle of the oppressed. Just like Holidays are given for races and other things. Heterosexuals’are not oppressed in the military nor had to hide. The ability to do your job has nothing to do with whom you decide to love. If you have women looking like dudes and vice versa and feel someway, the military has both sexes so there is no difference. I do feel what is deem for men to do as a job in the military should stay for a person that was born a man and now feel different or identify differently. I also think that for sports. However I still feel that the prejudice that I hear in these post is not what AMERICA should ant to represent. For all you bible quoting rants, how many of you were virgins lol. Stop picking what you want to say is right, this is why there are wars. NO Love and compassion. Slavery , Genocide of the Jews, is Evil. And nothing about what you are claiming the bible to say , say it. You also not to eat shellfish, but yall eating it and screaming and cursing. You should not be in the military if you really read the Bible. To the LGBT and the rest of the letters that been added on, I wish you the best and keep the fight alive so that these evil people don’t win anymore. Freedom and Love will make this world a better place.
Thank you. Exactly. They are major hypocrites.
I miss Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The other part of that is Don’t Harass. I don’t need or want to know anybody’s sexual orientation. It had nothing to do with work/mission. The rules were: I don’t ask, you don’t tell and nobody gets harassed. (because nobody knows or cares) It was so simple.
Romans chapter one in the Bible. God defined marriage not the Supreme Court. This weakened and embarrassed our military.
I don’t believe in your god. Why should that apply to me. God certainly did NOT define marriage.
What a stupid article. The government pushing sexual ideology is a disgrace.
What a disgrace! Other nations are laughing at our once vaunted military!
That is only your opinion, and not the reality for the rest of the world.
Dont Ask Dont Tell was a good policy.
THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PART OF VA DISCUSSION. THE MAJORITY THINKS LGBT IN SERVICE IS A SHAME, YET YOU THINK THE MINORITY SHOULD HAVE THE POINT OF VIEW TALKED ABOUT HERE. THE LGBT COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE NO PART OF THE US MILITARY DUTIES OR HONOR.
I hope you are not in the military. Freedom is for everyone. Understand if you are military what that means. You fight for the freedom of all. What is different, about who someone loves that affects them doing their job. This is why wars are started because of hate like this.
I am a lesbian. I am a Veteran. I served. The majority actually does NOT think it is a disgrace. I honor ALL vets, even jerks like you.
Those of you who support the idea that a Pride Month should exist I would ask if you would support a Heterosexual Month becoming a reality. It’s said Pride Month is about celebrating your sexuality and I have no problem with that. I only ask if you would give me a right to celebrate mine.
I do believe if we are ever going to reach a point of equality in our nation we need to quit identifying people as black, white, gay, heterosexual, etc. If someone feels I need to be identified, please identify me as an American! And no I’m not talking about missing persons, wanted individuals, etc. That is where a description is important but not when we refer to accomplishments and seem to infer ones skin color, religion, or orientation makes their succeeding so amazing.
I actually agree with you on some points.. I often wonder how it feels to know that just because we may be gay or lesbian we have celebrations and flags and all that, but no one in the heterosexuals’ world had to hide, feel ashamed or be ridiculed for the way you feel that is different. The parades etc are what has won us so many new rights and freedoms that we never had. And to read some of these comments here that are so negatively biased is really pretty crazy to me. But hey why not celebrate being heterosexual, being who you want to be regardless of what others think. That is what we need to celebrate that we have the right to be free and be who we want, that is what I am still very thankful for.
Heterosexuals have pride month EVERY month. Every. Single. Month.
DADT REPEAL was nothing but a Disgraceful event in military history PERIOD!
I served in the Air Force as an OSI Special Agent many years ago. One particular incident remains in my mind . I conducted an investigation of a TSgt at a radar site. He was accused of being a homosexual. He was married, a female wife. He was also highly respected by every person who I interviewed, in fact, most everyone commented that he was one of the best Air Force persons they knew… a good man, a good person, a great worker, a superb supervisor. Not one single person had anything negative to say about him! The TSgt admitted he was a homosexual, and I talked with confirming associates. Back then, we were also required to search their personal effects at not only their office, but at their home! I tried my best to calm the distraught wife, told them I was respectful of their privacy, would be quiet, quick, and assured confidentiality of findings (none). The TSgt was discharged, having served about 8 years as I recall, and had expressed the desire to make the Air Force a career. I have often thought back on that experience, and after reading the commentary here today, hoped that TSgt had the opportunity to re-enlist and make the Air Force a career. He made such a positive memory on my life…
This article disgusts me. Our military is weak because of this pro-LBGTQ policy. I wonder why Sue didn’t talk about all the homosexual RAPES happening in the U.S. military today?
Rich, it isn’t just today….I know personally of a young man who was raped in Japan in 1975 by a fellow Airman. To this day, nearly 50 years later, he is f*cked in the head, unable to deal with what happened, and they gave him a (wow!!!) 50 percent rating….
Homosexual rapes? That is laughable. It is the heterosexuals doing the raping. Always has been. MAYBE .0000001% of rapes are committed by homosexuals. Got something to HIDE? Seems like you are projecting Rich.
I don’t really care one way or the other if you are an alphabet person. What I do care about is two fold: 1) are you going to have the fortitude to stand beside me when the poop hits the fan so to speak, and 2) are you going to be able to drag me out of harms way if the need arises? When I was in the Navy, we had a number of guys that were gay/bi… they didn’t flout it, just did their job the same as everyone else….
I thought it was President Bill Clinton who signed the repeal of don’t ask don’t tell in 1993. I was in Somolia at the time and remember it being discussed amongst the officers and troops.
I am 69 and have been married almost 50 years. I respect my wife and women! GOD made it so that it takes a man and a woman to create a family and thank God for the balance that my wife brought to our bringing up our 2 kids! Women are wired differently and a family needs both a mom and dad at different times! But in battle conditions I do not want to have to deal with the differences a woman brings to the situation! War is HELL!-JUST ASK —ANYONE, MAN OR WOMAN—- WHO HAS EXPERIENCED IT! If women want to serve in battle rolls then they should be in all women units. Privacy issues and sex will never be far from a mans thoughts! (males are born this way) I think everyone will function better this way and there will be fewer opportunities for women to be take advantage of. GOD BLESS US ALL
God bless brother. Agree totally
While this article has some merit, everyone in humanity should be accepted and respected, as stated in The Declaration of Independence. With that being said, I don’t agree with flying a pride flag over the VA or any other government building. To me this shows favoritism of one group of people, while implying intolerance of other people groups. What about Heritage Months? What about Religious Observances of ALL faiths? Where are the flags for them? Herein lies the inappropriate use of governmental agencies to segregate certain people groups in higher esteem than others.
I feel like “straight” service members are in an undeclared war by LGBTQ ACTIVISTS that will find any reason to complain.
I am retired but today I would NEVER interview, discuss ANY issue, with ANY SERVICE MEMBER without reliable witnesses.
This coupled with transgenders wanting the services to perform sex change surgery…
If i don’t trust this system that politicians have changed and rechanged to satisfy activists, I can’t imagine how straight active duty members must feel.
Very easy to classify my comments as unfavorable,
But this is reverse hatred by
militant nonbinary members.
When I truly see nonbinary members outing pedophiles, Predators ,
and ACTIVISTS Looking for any excuse to complain, then I’ll come to the table.
I am not alone..
I have gay friends who are married in monogamous relationships, but according to interviews on NPR with nonbinary enablers. 75% of
LGBTQ want open relationships. How is that going to sit with their straight brothers and sisters?
This message lands flight for those T among the LGBTQ Veterans. Where is VA care for all Gender Affirming Care? ALL major medical institutions support all care for Gender Transition and yet the planned changes were supposed to be announced in June. It is well past then, and I live with agonizing dysphoria.
I hope recruitment keeps plummeting. Keep up the good work.
The snowball has been pushed from the top. Maybe we’ll get lucky. Global warming will melt it
Great read. Thank you for your service! Because of people like you today, I am openly serving as a lesbian and my wife receives the benefits that I earned as an honorable Service Member??
Do you REALLY want my comment???? ALL of my family members were Annapolis or West Point graduates my cousin becoming Chief Engineer of the Army?????? I was NOT BY CHOICE!!!! I did go RA tghough!!! All of my male family members are dead and turnijg over in their graves in Arlington because of the liberalization of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and especially NOW with the fruits and nuts allowed to join our military and screwing up our defense capability!!!! My wife was stationed at the Point and my cousin was a frequent visitor BUT he did NOT think that any of this clap-trap was good for the Army and his predictions were born out to be 100% accurate!!!! This comment is based upon FACT and NOT supposition!!!!
I, Chuck Irvin, as a 73 year old heterosexual 6 year Navy veteran male want to welcome and “THANK” my LGBTQ brothers and sisters for their continued courage in righting the wrong of this travesty of injustice. I will perpetually support ALL who want to cleanse our U.S. institutions of fear mongering prejudices and biases.
Love and continued diligence in making this:
The Preamble – We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.! { https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/ }
a fact and no longer just a promise!
“Solidarity is not a matter of sentiment but a fact, cold and impassive as the granite foundations of a skyscraper. If the basic elements, identity of interest, clarity of vision, honesty of intent, and oneness of purpose, or any of these is lacking, all sentimental pleas for solidarity, and all other efforts to achieve it will be barren of results.” – Eugene Debs (American Labor Organizer, 1855-1926)
“There are … some potentates I would eradicate by any and all means at my disposal. They are Ignorance, Superstition, and Bigotry — the most sinister and tyrannical rulers on earth.” — Emma Goldman, speaking from a Detroit pulpit in 1898, quoted from Annie Laurie Gaylor, Women Without Superstition, p. 382
“It Ain’t What You Don’t Know That Gets You Into Trouble. It’s What You Know for Sure That Just Ain’t So.” – Anon?
http://www.projectsolidarity.com/2017/03/25/racism-is-evil-because-its-ultimate-logic-is-genocide/
Thank you Chuck.. I am a lesbian. Had a Top Secret Clearance. Command Post Controller for SAC.
When I served alongside many in the Navy community who also happened to be in the LGBTQ community during the DADT era, we knew who they were… They knew who they were. We served with them like any other and nobody cared. They were our friends, our colleagues… Our shipmates. I would have died saving them as any other soul onboard and the same goes for the rest of my command. This was back in ’02.
I served from 1961 to 1965. I never realized how my gayness would be looked at by the Navy before I joined. While on a tour in Alaska another guy wanted me to engage in sex with him, I wasn’t attracted and turned him down, he slit his wrists shortly after and two guys showed up, packed up all his gear and transported him somewhere, I never knew where. That’s when I realized I could not allow anyone to know my sexual preference and I lived the lie throughout my 4 year term.
One of the best Petty Officers I ever knew was ‘removed’ from the Navy because as it was put to him, “We know that you are gay but we just can’t prove it, so you are getting a General Discharge . This was a man that was “pushing Boots” at NTC San Diego as a DC 2 ! That was unheard of in the ’50’s !
This is why our military is declining. Divisive, immoral, and wrong.
I guess you know better than the Apostle Paul, right? Romans chapter 1.
Please do not go there! First I have a BA in Religion and no where in the Bible is the word Homosexual!! Man and only man rewrote to suit his needs and push that agenda of hate. Also, it is impossible for the word to be in the Bible. It was not event until 1896 and that was by a German psychologist. Knowledge will set you free and create understanding and peace. I salute you all for your courage.
Thank You. You said that well. Re-wrote by man.
I was one of those discharged for being gay. I had done nothing to warrant the discharge. I didn’t date or hang out in any “gay” places. I was serving in the UK. I loved being part of the navy. Here I was barely 18 and halfway around the world from anyone I knew. I made many friends in Wales. I don’t know if any of my local friends were gay or not. It didn’t matter to me. Out of the clear blue sky, I was called into my COs office to face the military police. I was interrogated for hours , no food,water or representation. I was out! There was no alternative. This was back in 1974. I still feel the loss of my service. I loved the navy . The whole experience left me ashamed ( I had no reason to be though)…… that shame eventually turned into many years of alcoholism. It wasn’t until DADT was passed that I finally could deal with my discharge and got sober.
Good for you Gary. There was nothing for you to be ashamed of. I, too, was discharged for being gay.
This is great news. I served in the Air Force 1969 – 1973 at a time when we were illegal in the country. While stationed at Randolph in Texas, my last assignment, I came out to my close friends who were very supportive. I had one hidden relationship that my friends new about. I felt lucky. My parents supported us as well. Unfortunately my man died after four years together. He was in the Air Force also.. I’m glad things are changing more for our people. Yet, there’s more to accomplish. Thank you.
Except the VA has sat on the much much much needed transgender care coordination rules.
They’ve been much better, but have turned their backs on transgender veterans here.