VA is committed to providing outreach to diverse service member and Veteran populations and has provided guidance on how under current Federal law VA may recognize marriage.

During WWII, rejection from military service based on sexuality began to make headlines. In an effort to grow the military force, the process for evaluating a soldier's sexuality became a part of the enlistment. These screenings relied on stereotypes and prejudices, as officials had a limited time with each recruit. After enlistment, if a soldier was identified as a homosexual they received 'dishonorable' discharge. Which meant expulsion from the armed forces, no veterans benefits, and limited employment opportunities. Civil service members were also targeted by the Lavendar Scare, when about 10,000 were suspended from service because of their sexuality.

Of course, inspiring LGBTQ veterans rallied together to overcome these obstacles and forge a community. These men and women assisted the nation during times of battle and disaster, founded organizations and preserved their legacies. Independence, activism, spirit, and resilience—helped them carry forward the causes important to the LGBT community on and off military bases. Learn about the movements associated with LGBTQ rights in San Francisco and nationwide.

Discover the stories of people at Golden Gate, who fought against discrimination and changed the course of history.

Acceptance for LGBTQ in the military expanded with the lifting of the transgender ban in 2021.

Still, some LGBTQ service members may worry about living openly. They may fear being harassed or passed over for assignments or promotions. While acceptance of LGBTQ service members is a relatively new development in the military’s long history, the Department of Defense is committed to maintaining a strong force that reflects the nation’s diversity.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton, trying to deliver on his election promise of lifting the ban on gays in the military, encountered vehement opposition that resulted in the compromise legislation, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” This 80-minute documentary examines the torturous consequences of the policy and the fight to repeal it – a battle that would last 17 years, span three presidencies, and result in the discharge of 13,368 active service members. Shot during the final 15 months of the law prior to its repeal, the film includes archival news footage and interviews with over 70 key players, from policy experts to Pentagon personnel, as well as personal accounts by a number of actively serving gay soldiers (who are obscured from the camera’s view, as speaking about their sexual orientation would be in violation of Don't Ask, Don’t Tell). An HBO Production. An HBO Production.