Pentagon agrees to historic legal settlement with gay and lesbian veterans
If approved by a federal judge, the agreement means the military would help thousands of veterans seek honorable discharges.
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If approved by a federal judge, the agreement means the military would help thousands of veterans seek honorable discharges.
An honorable discharge status unlocks access to critical benefits that some veterans may have been missing out on for decades.
Tuesday, Sept. 20, marks the official repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law -- the controversial military policy.
Allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. military is a step toward equality, advocates say, but a fight for other social changes such as gay marriage still lies ahead.
Republicans blocked a last-ditch effort in the Senate to lift the military's ban on openly gay troops on Thursday, dealing a major blow to gay rights groups.
