Pentagon sued for failing to correct discrimination after DADT repeal

Plaintiffs allege thousands still face consequences of discriminatory policy

By CHRISTOPHER KANE | ckane@washblade.com

A lawsuit filed on Aug. 7 by a group of LGBTQ veterans seeks to address the U.S. Department of Defense’s failure to grant honorable discharges to service members who were fired before the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 2011.

The five plaintiffs, all of whom were kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation, also want the agency to remedy other manifestations of this “ongoing discrimination,” including biased language in the discharge papers of LGBTQ veterans.

Their class action complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, notes that the federal government has made significant overtures to recognize and condemn “the decades of discriminatory policies it enforced against LGBTQ+ veterans.”

However, the lawsuit argues, the plaintiffs — along with “thousands of others who were involuntarily discharged under anti-LGBTQ+ policies — continue to combat the effects of this discrimination.”

Discharge papers, known as DD-214s, are required to access veterans’ benefits and apply for jobs, loans, and apart-

LGBTQ Hawaiians need help

Maui wildfire has killed at least 100 people

By BRODY LEVESQUE

The devastation of the wildfires that impacted the island of Maui is most evident in the city of Lahaina. The death toll has pushed past 100 people and is expected to rise in the coming weeks as recovery efforts continue.

In a statement to media outlets, the Hawaii Tourism Authority said “in the weeks ahead, the collective resources and attention of the federal, state and county government, the West Maui community, and the travel industry must be focused on the recovery of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.”

Maui County estimates more than 80 percent of the more than 2,700 structures in the town were damaged or destroyed and 4,500 residents are newly in need of shelter.

There are numerous critical needs for the residents who have been displaced, many living in temporary shelters. Randy M. Soriano, the executive director of Hawai‘i LGBT Legacy Foundation, Honolulu Pride and the LGBTQ Center Honolulu on the island of Oahu is asking for assistance.

“Mahalo for checking in. It has been a devastating week for the entire state of Hawai’i. Our hearts go out to those who have experienced such a tremendous loss. Our organization is located on the island of Oahu so we’re fortunate to not have been directly affected but we’re trying to activate as much aid