The Pentagon announced that more than 800 veterans who were expelled from the military due to their sexual orientation will now have their discharges upgraded to honorable status. This significant decision follows a year-long review to rectify the injustices caused by the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and similar discriminatory regulations.

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that addressing the harm caused to these former service members is essential. “This effort seeks to right the wrongs done to these brave individuals who were unjustly treated due to outdated policies,” Austin said.

The review was initiated after veterans expressed frustration with the burdensome and often hostile process required to upgrade their discharge status. This change will grant these veterans access to critical benefits, including education, healthcare, and financial support through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which had previously been denied due to their discharge status.

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, implemented in 1993, was initially intended as a compromise that allowed gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals to serve in the military as long as they concealed their sexual orientation. However, many advocacy groups argued that the policy was inconsistently enforced and ultimately caused more harm than good. It forced LGBTQ+ service members to hide their true identities, negatively impacting their relationships with fellow troops and undermining unit cohesion.

The policy was repealed in 2011, allowing LGBTQ+ individuals to serve openly for the first time. Since then, the military has been reviewing and upgrading the discharges of individuals affected by the policy. According to the Department of Defense, 96% of the nearly 13,500 service members discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” have now been granted honorable discharge status.

Austin reaffirmed the Pentagon’s commitment to these veterans: “We will continue to honor the service and sacrifice of every American who courageously served, regardless of whom they love.”

Defense Department staff will contact veterans impacted by this latest review to guide them through updating their records and applying for the benefits they are now entitled to receive.