The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that over 800 military service members have had their discharge records upgraded to honorable status after being expelled from the military under the now-repealed “don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) policy.

The DADT policy, introduced by President Bill Clinton in 1993, allowed LGBTQ individuals to serve in the military as long as they did not disclose their sexual orientation. While the policy was intended to offer some protections, it ultimately led to the discharge of thousands of service members who were outed or disclosed their identity, often resulting in less-than-honorable discharges. These discharges left veterans without the military benefits typically provided to honorably discharged personnel, such as educational assistance and veterans' healthcare.

In 2011, the policy was officially repealed by Congress, allowing for the open service of LGBTQ individuals in the military. However, many veterans discharged under DADT did not automatically have their records corrected, leaving them with barriers to benefits and opportunities.

The Pentagon’s move to upgrade discharge records is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to address historical discrimination. In June, President Biden issued pardons to service members convicted under outdated military policies that criminalized consensual gay relationships. The 1951 Uniform Code of Military Justice’s Article 125, which had originally outlawed consensual gay sex, was amended in 2013 to apply only to non-consensual acts.

This latest decision represents an important step in undoing the harm caused by discriminatory policies that affected thousands of LGBTQ service members. For those whose records have been updated, the changes open the door to receiving full veterans’ benefits, including healthcare, educational assistance, and pensions, while restoring the dignity associated with an honorable discharge.

Many advocates for LGBTQ rights in the military have long pushed for these reclassifications, highlighting that the legacy of discrimination under DADT has had a lasting impact on veterans' lives, affecting their ability to secure jobs, access benefits, and apply for loans.

With this action, the Pentagon continues to work toward acknowledging and correcting the injustices faced by LGBTQ veterans, honoring their service and ensuring that all service members are treated with equality and respect.