Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer introduces bill to reverse Don't Ask, Don't Tell discharges

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) introduced a bill on Tuesday aiming to reverse dishonorable discharges veterans received based on their sexual orientation under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

DADT was signed into law in 1993 and allowed LGBTQ+ Americans to serve in the military if they did not disclose their sexual orientation.

Even though the policy was repealed in 2011, Chavez-DeRemer says veterans with dishonorable discharges face ongoing discrimination when showing their discharge paperwork to landlords or employers -- noting the process to appeal their discharge can be costly.

Under Chavez-DeRemer's Recover Pride in Service Act, the Department of Defense would be required to upgrade all discharges based on sexual orientation from dishonorable to honorable within five years of the law's enactment.

The bill would also require the Department of Defense to create a program to identify and inform impacted veterans of their right to request a discharge status review.

Additionally, the legislation aims to ease the process for veterans to upgrade their discharge status, so they can receive the benefits they earned, Chavez-DeRemer said.

“Thirteen years have passed since Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed, yet some veterans continue suffering the consequences of this discriminatory policy. It’s past time for Congress to act and make this right,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “The Recover Pride in Service Act will ensure these veterans can get their discharge status upgraded without lifting a finger. I’m grateful to have strong support from my colleagues, including veterans, and I look forward to working with them to get this overdue fix signed into law.”

Log Cabin Republicans, an organization representing LGBTQ conservatives, voiced its support for the bill – encouraging all members of Congress to back the legislation.

"Log Cabin Republicans is proud to stand in strong support of this bill, and we urge all Members of Congress to do the same. It is our utmost responsibility to ensure that our veterans are treated with respect and dignity. We must do right by those who have served, and this bill is a significant step toward achieving that goal,” said Log Cabin Republicans President Charles T. Moran.