Resolution calling on the State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign S.6087, the New York Restoration of Honor Act

By Council Members Van Bramer, the Speaker (Council Member Mark-Viverito), Constantinides, Gentile, Lander, Rodriguez, Miller, Vallone, Cohen, Levin, Kallos and Ulrich

Whereas, With the end of the military' s "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in 2011, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) service members are now able to serve openly for the first time, but generations of veterans in New York and across the country continue to be ineligible for a host of state and federal programs; and

Whereas, More than 50 New York State benefits offered to veterans are contingent upon an honorable discharge status, according to a report from State Senator Brad Hoylman; and

Whereas, New York State benefits available to veterans with an honorable discharge status include access to educational and employment programs, property tax exemptions, pension credit for military service, and eligibility to be buried in a veterans’ cemetery; and

Whereas, Roughly 114,000 United States (U.S.) service members have been discharged for their sexual orientation or gender identity since World War II, according to that report; and

Whereas, Veterans who were discharged for their sexual orientation or gender identity did not receive an honorable discharge status; and

Whereas The federal government has not yet acted to comprehensively restore the discharge status of LGBT veterans who were discharged prior to the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell; and

Whereas, In November 2015, New York State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced S. 6087, The New York Restoration of Honor Act, which would make veterans who received a less than honorable discharge status due to their sexual orientation or gender identity eligible for New York State veterans' benefits; and

Whereas, According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 200,000 veterans reside in New York City; and

Whereas, All veterans who have honorably served their country, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, should be entitled to programs, benefits, and services earned from their military service; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign S.6087, the New York Restoration of Honor Act.

RM/ENB

LS 5463

12/3/2015