June is Pride Month, and your Washington State Department of the Veterans Affairs wants to join the nation in recognizing LGBTQI+ veterans and service members.
It is estimated that there are a little more than 1 million LGBTQI+ Veterans in the United States. Since the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010, surveys have found that more than 5% of active-duty service members identify as part of the LGBTQI+ community.
Beginning in 1999, four U.S. presidents officially declared June as Pride Month – President Bill Clinton, President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump, and President Joe Biden. The 2023 White House proclamation for Pride Month can be found here.
While the LGBTQI+ community has seen increased representation in the U.S. military in the past decade, strides are still being made to improve acceptance, integration, and health for these service members.
Throughout the month, we’ll looking back at the most significant developments for this group, and what’s on the horizon in the years to come.
Your Washington State Department of the Veterans Affairs salutes all LGBTQI+ veterans, past, present, and future, and say “thank you” for your service to our great nation.