Readers respond: Offering help and support for LGBTQ+ veterans

Published: Feb. 05, 2023, 7:00 a.m.

By Letters to the editor | The Oregonian

I want to thank The Oregonian/OregonLive and Steve Duin for his Jan. 21 column “A mother’s fight for honor and dignity.” The article tells the heartbreaking story of Martin Cerezo, a U.S. Navy sailor who was discharged in 1990 under the military policy prohibiting gays from serving. Tragically, Martin died not knowing whether his final wish— to be buried with military honors in a national cemetery — would be granted.

What happened to Martin should not have happened. Unfortunately, it is a story that is painfully familiar to many who served both before and during “don’t ask, don’t tell.” In 2016, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs created the nation’s first LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator position to advocate for and work with the LGBTQ+ veteran community.

ODVA provides specialized assistance to LGBTQ+ veterans and their families for discharge status upgrades, name and gender changes on military records. ODVA provides these services and others to restore veterans’ dignity and pride in their service and help them gain access to potentially lifechanging benefits and resources.

ODVA believes that all veterans in Oregon should be proud of their military service. We look forward to a day when no veteran feels forced to stay in the shadows simply because of who they are or whom they love.

If you or someone you know was discharged based on sexual orientation and want to learn more about accessing your veteran benefits, please contact ODVA’s LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator at lgbtqvets@odva.oregon.gov or 503-373-2327.

Kelly Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick is director of Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs.