West Hollywood is joining an effort to expand eligibility for the mass pardons that the U.S. government is offering to military veterans who were discharged due to their sexual orientation.
The White House recently announced new pardons for LGBTQ+ veterans who were convicted of consensual sexual acts years ago under the discriminatory “don’t ask, don’t tell” laws. This decision was met with emotional reactions from many veterans, some of whom have faced decades of exclusion and denial of benefits due to their discharges. However, the joy that followed the announcement was short-lived for many as they began to understand the limited scope of the pardons.
The announcement initially appeared to offer a long-overdue reprieve for thousands of veterans, potentially allowing them to qualify for health care and other benefits previously denied. The reality, however, revealed a narrow application of the pardons, which are only available to those convicted in a military court of nonforcible sodomy. This exclusionary criteria left many veterans, including those who were never court-martialed or who accepted less-than-honorable discharges to avoid harsher penalties, outside the bounds of the pardons.
The revelation has been a painful reminder of the ongoing exclusion faced by LGBTQ veterans, even after the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in 2011. Despite the significance of Biden’s gesture, many affected veterans remain skeptical about the real impact of the pardons. The complexity of the application process, coupled with the looming uncertainty of a possible shift in presidential power, adds to the frustration and disappointment felt by those who have long awaited recognition and justice.
Advocates and veterans’ organizations have expressed concern that the pardons may ultimately benefit very few people. The Department of Defense has been criticized for not taking more proactive steps to identify and address the injustices faced by LGBTQ veterans, leaving the burden on individuals to navigate a complicated and slow-moving process to seek redress.
Former WeHo Chamber Chairman Keith Kaplan brought the issue to West Hollywood Councilmember Lauren Meister, who has drafted a letter on the city’s behalf in support of efforts to expand eligibility.
“A more holistic approach to pardoning LGBTQI+ service members is clearly needed. Veterans deserve to have this pardoning criterion expanded beyond its current limited scope – not only to socially rectify a grievous error in our nation’s history – but also to greatly improve the lives of our LGBTQI+ service members, some of whom may be prevented from accessing veteran benefits due to their charges which are not eligible for expunging under your proclamation,” Meister wrote in the letter, dated August 15 and addressed to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and others.
“I respectfully urge you to consider the voices of LGBTQI+ advocates and veterans as you seek to resolve this issue. By expanding the scope of your pardon, we have the opportunity to extend peace, solace, and justice to a community that has been marginalized and overlooked for far too long,” Meister wrote.
Kudos to Meister for writing that, and to Keith Kaplan for bringing it to her attention. We need more citizen civic involvement on LGBT social justice issues. Notice that it was Meister and not any other City Council member who did this. No one else would’ve done it because there’s nothing in it for them. Septic Shyne and the other Mean Girls only do what benefits them or lines their pockets.
Bravo to Keith Kaplan and Lauren Meister for leading and lobbying on this historical injustice.
Thank you, Keith Kaplan and Lauren Meister.