COMMISSION ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY
DD214 Corrections for LGBTQ+ Veterans: Discharge Upgrades, Records Corrections, and Name Changes
Webinar in partnership with Swords to Plowshares
Description
With the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' (DADT) and the military transgender ban, there have been some developments with the Department of Defense's military records correction boards policies toward LGBTQ+ veterans. The ABA is partnering with Swords to Plowshares to provide a free webinar that will cover step-by-step advice on how to pursue a discharge upgrade or change in the reason for separation for those separated under DADT and previous discriminatory policies. The webinar will also cover the process of correcting DD214s to reflect the legal name today for trans-identified veterans who served under a different name. Lastly, we will allocate time to answer questions from the audience on how to navigate this process for yourself and your clients. This webinar will be useful to legal practitioners, veteran service officers, individual veterans, and anyone who is interested in learning more about the real-world application of the policy changes that resulted from DADT repeal.
Speakers
- Maureen “Mo” Siedor, Director, Swords to Plowshares’ Legal Services Unit
- Bob Alexander, former Equal Justice Works Fellow and now staff attorney with Swords to Plowshares
Program Material
- Slideshow - Swords to Plowshares
Resources
- ABA Free Legal Resources for Veterans
New federal website for financially eligible veterans, who can submit questions about veterans’ federal legal issues—such as discharge upgrades, VA disability, and other VA benefits—and receive answers from pro bono attorneys with VA accreditation. - Military Discharge Upgrade Legal Practice Manual
A comprehensive guide to representing veterans with less-than-honorable or otherwise stigmatizing discharges before military review boards.
Now available for pre-order and is available for sale on July 7.
Co-Sponsors
Become a SOGI Supporter
Your generosity to the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) promotes diversity, inclusion and full, equal participation by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, in the law.