WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — The military is celebrating "Pride Month" as a time to come together to honor the contributions of LGBTQ-plus service members.
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks spoke on Wednesday at the 11th LGBTQ-plus Pride Ceremony at the Pentagon.
She said The Defense Department strives to lead on issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
"There is a stark difference between being allowed to exist in a space and being fully accepted and included. Over the past few years, we have worked to ensure department policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or an individual's identification as transgender," she said.
The Pentagon last September began reviewing the records of military personnel who may be eligible for a discharge upgrade, as a result of getting kicked out under the old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which prevented gay and lesbian troops from serving openly, until it was repealed in 2011.
According to the department's website, 32,837 military members were discharged between 1980 and 2011 as a result of their sexual orientation.