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UrbScotty

(23,980 posts)
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 06:35 PM Jan 2013

‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ dischargees to receive full back pay from DOD [View all]

Source: The Hill

In a landmark settlement, the Pentagon has agreed to give full back pay to U.S. service members who were discharged due to their sexual orientation under the military's “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

The payouts will be granted to service members dismissed from the military under the now-repealed policy on or after November 2004.

“This means so much to those of us who dedicated ourselves to the military, only to be forced out against our will for being who we are,” former Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Collins said in a statement from the American Civil Liberties Union, which brought the lawsuit.

Under "Don’t ask," service members who were honorably discharged automatically had their separation pay cut in half.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/275971-service-members-discharged-under-dont-ask-dont-tell-to-receive-full-back-pay

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This is fair. Good. n/t Duval Jan 2013 #1
Excellent, but overdue.... n/t Still Sensible Jan 2013 #2
Doing the right thing. nt msanthrope Jan 2013 #3
Great news K&R FreeState Jan 2013 #4
I was going to say--why only since 2004? too little, way too late for some. niyad Jan 2013 #5
Statute of limitations jeff47 Jan 2013 #6
But more could sue - this is only 181 in New Mexico FreeState Jan 2013 #7
same reason I am not eligble for full pst 9/11 GI Bill benefits pasto76 Jan 2013 #15
Forward. Politicub Jan 2013 #8
I'm sure those Military Service People who are in this Lawsuit from ACLU Cha Jan 2013 #9
CUE THE VONAGE THEME! rocktivity Jan 2013 #10
this is good... awoke_in_2003 Jan 2013 #11
Don't Get It Coronamaker Jan 2013 #12
What difference would it make? gkhouston Jan 2013 #13
oops. wrong replyee. sorry Vanje Jan 2013 #17
People were fired when it was found out that they were gay. Vanje Jan 2013 #18
That is WONDERFUL! Marrah_G Jan 2013 #14
Somewhere, Leonard Matlovich is smiling. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #16
I think the retroactive should go back burrowowl Jan 2013 #19
This is an excellent start! Hekate Jan 2013 #20
No It Is Not Fair .. and here's why YOHABLO Jan 2013 #21
My heart goes out to you. Sunlei Jan 2013 #23
+100000000000000004 Great Caesars Ghost Jan 2013 #25
good fair news indeed. Do they also change discharge papers and allow to serve in same positions? Sunlei Jan 2013 #22
All I care about is strict protection for the LGBT service people Great Caesars Ghost Jan 2013 #24
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