Merkley, Randall Lead Bicameral Resolution to Honor 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 and U.S. Representative Emily Randall (WA-06) introduced a resolution recognizing September 20, 2026, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day.

National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day falls on the anniversary of the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in 2011 and recognizes the courage and contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans who have served our nation. 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 between World War II and 2011.

"America's servicemembers and veterans come from all walks of life, but they all share a common commitment to serve our nation," said Merkley. "These heroes put on their uniform knowing their country would likely ask them to hide who they are, deny who they love, or punish them simply for living openly. For generations, LGBTQ+ Americans have answered the call to serve, and we should honor their service and acknowledge the discrimination they endured."

"Service members and Veterans who've proudly served our country deserve respect and care no matter who they are or who they love. But this Administration continues to push out trans and queer service members using discriminatory policies that don't make our military more prepared or our nation more secure. Unacceptable," said Randall. "Today, on the 15-year anniversary of the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' - the long-standing policy that kept LGBTQ+ service members in the closet - we honor all LGBTQ+ Americans who have bravely served our country. Today we recommit to fighting for every veteran to receive the dignity, support, and benefits they've earned."

The resolution calls for greater awareness of the historical and ongoing injustices faced by LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, including discriminatory military policies, unjust discharges, and bans on transgender military service and health care. It also urges the federal government to support LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans and ensure they receive the recognition and benefits they have earned through their service.

The Trump Administration continues to pursue policies restricting transgender Americans' ability to serve openly in the military. The ban on transgender military service and additional restrictions on gender-affirming care continue to be litigated in federal court, with the Trump Administration asking the Supreme Court to uphold the ban on transgender troops, threatening the careers of thousands of servicemembers who serve in critical national security roles.

Merkley and Randall have led the charge in Congress to support our military readiness and national security by prohibiting discrimination against our servicemembers. Previously, Merkley wrote the No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act, which would ensure that Trump's hateful anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders, including the ban on transgender servicemembers, 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 and Randall, this resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), 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), and U.S. Representatives Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08).

This resolution is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, Minority Veterans of America, Modern Military Association of America, Advocates for Transgender Equality, Out in National Security, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, Black Veterans Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and SPARTA Pride.

"For generations, LGBTQ+ Americans have felt called to service in the U.S. Armed Forces, even as they were prevented from serving openly until recent years. The dire predictions - lately resurrected by anti-equality figures - that claimed that recognizing LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans would somehow harm military readiness or effectiveness, have been conclusively and forever debunked. At a time when transgender servicemembers are seeing their service cut short for no good reason, it's good to remember we all owe a debt of gratitude to our LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, and we thank Sen. Merkley and Rep. Randall for this resolution to honor them," said Jennifer Pike Bailey, Human Rights Campaign Senior Director of Government Affairs.

"LGBTQ+ Americans have answered the call to serve this country for generations, often at extraordinary cost to themselves, their families, and their futures," said Lindsay Church, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Minority Veterans of America. "They put on the uniform knowing their country would likely ask them to hide who they were, deny who they loved, or punish them simply for living openly. LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day is our declaration that our service will not be erased and our sacrifices will not be forgotten. We honor those who served, we reckon with what has been done to them in the name of national defense, and we demand a country worthy of the people who have always been willing to defend it."

"Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) is proud to endorse the National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day Resolution. LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans have defended our nation with courage and distinction in every generation, often while confronting discrimination and barriers simply because of who they are. Even when our nation did not always afford them the dignity or recognition they deserved, they continued to serve and sacrifice. Their service, sacrifice, and stories are an essential part of American military history. We also recognize the families who have supported them and the importance of ensuring servicemembers, veterans, and their families have access to the care they need, including gender-affirming care. This resolution provides an important opportunity to recognize their contributions, acknowledge the harm caused by discriminatory policies, and honor and preserve their legacy for generations to come. MMAA is proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ military and veteran community in honoring their service, sacrifice, and enduring contributions to our nation," said Hale Allegretti, Modern Military Chair of the Board of Directors, U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. (ret.).

"LGBTQ+ Americans have served our country from the founding of the Republic, including during decades when their government asked for their service while denying them equal treatment. National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day honors that service and sacrifice, recognizes the costs of exclusion, and affirms that everyone who raises their hand to serve deserves dignity, respect, and the benefits they have earned. We are grateful to Senator Merkley and Representative Randall for recognizing the generations of LGBTQ+ Americans who have worn the uniform," said Lucas F. Schleusener, CEO of Out in National Security.

"At a time of immense national security challenges, tens of thousands of LGBTQIA+ people are answering the call and proudly serving our nation through military service," said Brian Dittmeier, Director of LGBTQI+ Equality at the National Women's Law Center Action Fund. "Their selfless service is undermined by the ongoing attacks by the Trump administration, which is forcing trans people out of military careers and ripping away the benefits they've earned through their service. LGBTQIA+ service members and veterans have had to overcome a long legacy of discrimination and exclusion in the military, but despite these challenges, they have continued to excel and rise through the ranks. Now, more than ever, we need leaders in Congress who are willing to stand with our service members and veterans as the administration senselessly undermines our military's recruitment and readiness. This resolution, led by Sen. Merkley and Rep. Randall, is an important step in ensuring that anyone can put themselves forth to serve this country, regardless of who they are or who they love."

Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.

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