ACLU Wins Severance Pay for Victims of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Including Disproportionately Discharged Women and People of Color

The ACLU had been in court for two years trying to get military service members who were involuntarily dismissed during don’t ask, don’t tell their full severance pay. The Obama Administration finally settled and agreed to pay full separation to all service members who were involuntarily separated after Nov. 10, 2004. Yay, that’s good news.

Now, here’s the not so good news: According to Colorlines, a 2010 Service Women’s Action Network report found women and people of color were disproportionately discharged under the ridiculous policy:

Even though black women comprise less than one percent of servicemembers, they represented 3.3 percent of all don’t ask, don’t tell discharges. Women in general appear to have been targeted under the policy. According to a 2010 Service Women’s Action Network report, women were 15 percent of the armed forces in 2008, but comprised 34 percent of the don’t ask, don’t tell discharges. People of color represented just under 30 percent of active duty personnel, but 45 percent of don’t ask, don’t tell discharges.

I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but it’s still disappointing. Oh well — new day, new battle for equality in the military.
[Colorlines]