Hirono, Colleagues Recognize America’s LGBTQ+ Veterans and Servicemembers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and 17 colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing September 20, 2025, as "National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day." This 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.

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 between World War II and 2011, 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 serving in the military, 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 military service for transgender people 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."

In addition to Senators Hirono and Merkley, this resolution is cosponsored by 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), Ben Ray Lujan (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.

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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