The Independent View: Albany NY Lawmakers Extend Benefits to Vets Discharged for LGBT Identity

When it comes to Discharged LGBT Veterans in Albany County, New York, they don’t have to worry about being Denied Benefits due to their Sexual Orientation.

County Lawmakers on Monday Passed a Law that will ensure that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Veterans who were Discharged under the Federal Government's Don't Ask Don’t Tell Police started under President Bill Clinton to Receive County-Level Veteran’s Benefits.

These Benefits include Veteran Property-Tax Exemptions, Civil Service Points, and the Opportunity to Participate in the County’s Return the Favor Program. The County Law also Outlines a Process for Individuals to get their Discharge Paperwork corrected at the Federal Level.

While former President Obama Repealed the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy in 2011, which Banned Openly Gay Men, Lesbians, and Bisexuals from Military Service, Albany County Lawmakers say Legislation on the State and Federal Level to Restore Discharge Records hasn’t come to fruition quickly enough.

Veterans' Receipt of Local Benefits is Contingent upon their Discharge Status. It’s estimated 114,000 Service Members have been Discharged due to their Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity since World War II, according to the County Law. “I’ve served side-by-side with LGBT veterans in places like Iraq, Afghanistan and even Staten Island during Superstorm Sandy,” said Legislator Andrew Joyce in a News Release. “We’ve come a long way in our society towards equality, and it’s time our policies reflected that.”

The Law, first introduced by Joyce in December 2016, comes on the heels of President Trump’s pursuit of Banning Transgender People from Serving in the Military.

As it currently stands, would-be Transgender Recruits are Barred from Signing up while Defense Secretary James Mattis determines the Status of Transgender People who already are Serving. Lawsuits Targeting the New Ban are Pending. “With the transgender ban, the position of LGBT soldiers is even more tenuous,” said Martha Harvey, Executive Director of the Pride Center of the Capital Region. “The Albany County Restoration of Honor Act sends a clear statement that LGBT veterans are valued and will receive the full benefits that any Albany County veteran deserves.”

VFW Local Post 6776 backed the Local Law as well, calling for Legislators to Support those Service Members who stood for them. “Veterans from all backgrounds have served their country with bravery and pride,” said Justin Westfall, an Iraq War Veteran and Commander of the Local VFW Post. “We need to continue to work together to ensure they all get the services and benefits they deserve.”

County Executive Daniel McCoy, who Serves in the New York Army National Guard applauded the Legislature for “challenging the impediments for veterans who cannot gain full county benefits because of their discharge records due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Albany County needs to be a leader in making this change.”