Text of IL HR 895 (2024)

HR0895LRB103 42510 LAW 75742 r 1HOUSE RESOLUTION 2 WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) 3veterans have honorably served in the U.S. Armed Forces 4throughout the nation's history; and 5 WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ veterans have faced numerous 6discriminatory policies, including the ban on open service, 7and policies such as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" that forced them 8to hide their identities; and 9 WHEREAS, Historical policies such as Executive Order 10450 10and subsequent military regulations discriminated against 11LGBTQ+ individuals, labeling them as security risks or unfit 12for service due to their sexual orientation or gender 13identity; and 14 WHEREAS, These policies led to the discharge and exclusion 15of LGBTQ+ servicemembers, denying them the recognition and 16benefits they deserved and causing lasting harm; and 17 WHEREAS, On September 20, 2011, the "Don't Ask, Don't 18Tell" policy was officially repealed, allowing gay, lesbian, 19and bisexual individuals to serve openly in the U.S. military; 20and HR0895- 2 -LRB103 42510 LAW 75742 r 1 WHEREAS, The Department of Defense and the Department of 2Veterans Affairs have begun to address the injustices faced by 3LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, including discharge 4upgrades; and 5 WHEREAS, Ongoing challenges remain for LGBTQ+ 6servicemembers and veterans in achieving equitable treatment 7and access to benefits, including healthcare services such as 8gender-affirming care; and 9 WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ Veterans Day celebrates the contributions 10and sacrifices of LGBTQ+ veterans, acknowledges the continued 11need for progress in ensuring their rights and recognition, 12and serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and 13equality in all aspects of military and civilian life and as a 14call to action for further outreach and support for LGBTQ+ 15veterans; therefore, be it