Advocates back Pentagon move to fix discharge records of LGBTQ personnel

DoD to review cases of veterans denied honorable discharges under don't ask, don't tell' policy but critics say more can be done

Advocates are celebrating the Department of Defense's decision to correct the military records of many veterans who were discharged over their sexual orientation in the past - while adding that the agency must do more for affected veterans.

The Pentagon has announced it will review cases of LGBTQ+ veterans who were denied honorable discharges after being removed from the military under the 1990s policy of don't ask, don't tell" (DADT). Thousands of veterans were removed from service following the controversial 1993 law introduced by then president Bill Clinton as a compromise step which allowed gay and lesbian military personnel to serve only if their sexuality remained secret or was not reported.