Merkley Leads Senate Recognition of America’s LGBTQ+ Veterans and Servicemembers

Marking September 20^th as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers & Veterans Day 

Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley introduced a resolution recognizing September 20, 2025, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day-continuing his longtime work as a champion in Congress to restore full honor to veterans and servicemembers who have been mistreated in the U.S. Armed Forces due to their gender identity or sexual orientation.

National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage demonstrated by LGBTQ+ individuals who have served our nation. This resolution is especially salient as the Trump Administration continues to take actions that undermine our national security and dehumanize the thousands of transgender and nonbinary servicemembers who have honorably served in our armed forces.

"America's servicemembers and veterans come from all walks of life, but they all share a common commitment to serve our nation," said Merkley. "The 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' era and the Trump Administration's despicable policies targeting transgender servicemembers are dark stains on America's military. LGBTQ+ servicemembers have always been an integral part of the fabric of our armed forces, and we must recognize and celebrate their service to defend our way of life."

National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day is celebrated on September 20 as it marks the anniversary of the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in 2011. It is estimated that more than 100,000 servicemembers were discharged from the Armed Forces on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The resolution calls for enhanced awareness of the current and historical injustices faced by LGBTQ+ servicemembers - the ban on transgender military service, restrictions on gender-affirming care, and the decades of exclusion prior to these policies - and urges the U.S. government to provide support for LGBTQ+ patriots.

The ban on transgender military service and additional restrictions on gender-affirming care continue to be litigated in federal court, yet the Supreme Court has allowed the implementation of the ban, threatening the careers of thousands of servicemembers who serve in critical national security roles. Former Pentagon officials have testified that allowing transgender servicemembers to openly serve "fosters openness and trust among team members, thereby enhancing unit cohesion."

Merkley's efforts to support LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans are in part driven by late U.S. Navy veteran Martin Cerezo, who was outed as gay and given an "Other Than Honorable" discharge in 1990. With the help of Merkley's office, Martin's mother, Cheryle, was able to fulfill her son's dying wish to be buried at Willamette National Cemetery in June 2023.

Previously, Merkley joined his Senate Democratic colleagues to introduce the Fit to Serve Act, supporting our military readiness and national security by prohibiting discrimination against transgender servicemembers. He also leads the No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act, which would ensure that Trump's hateful anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders, including the ban on transgender service members, have no force or effect, and that no federal funds are used to implement, administer, enforce, or carry out those executive orders.  

In addition to Merkley, this resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

This resolution is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, Modern Military Association of America, Minority Veterans of America, Advocates for Trans Equality, and PFLAG National.

"LGBTQ+ people have been serving our nation in uniform for as long as we have had armed forces, even in moments where they did not necessarily receive the dignity, visibility, and recognition that they deserve," said Jennifer Pike Bailey, Director of Government Affairs at the Human Rights Campaign. "We have a lot of work ahead of us to undo the damage done by the Trump administration, particularly in how they have viciously forced transgender people out of their careers, denied them early retirement benefits, and threatened them with less than honorable discharge. Sen. Merkley's resolution sends a vital message that there are still many, many people who recognize the contributions of LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans. We're grateful for his continued support."

"On this 14 year anniversary of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, we thank Senator Merkley for this historic resolution to mark September 20th as LGBTQ+ Service Member and Veteran's Day. The repeal of DADT was a historic move towards equality, and opened the door for LGBTQ service members to do the job they love and live as their authentic selves. Today, as our community is enduring yet another discriminatory purge of qualified, capable service members, we are incredibly grateful to Senator Merkley's office for recognizing those who have struggled, endured, and continue to serve honorably as proud members of the LGBTQ+ military and veteran community," said the Modern Military Association of America.

"Recognizing September 20th as National LGBTQ+ Service Members and Veterans Day is more than symbolic, it is a public acknowledgment of the generations of LGBTQ+ people who served with honor while enduring discrimination, unjust discharges, and denial of life-saving care. At a time when transgender service members are again being forced out of uniform and critical health care is being stripped away from veterans, service members, and our families, this resolution affirms that our service and our lives matter. It honors our past, speaks truth about the harm done, and recommits this nation to ensuring every veteran and service member is treated with dignity and equity no matter who they are and who they love," said Minority Veterans of America

The full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.

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