“Jocelyn Larkin is an attorney with the Impact Fund, one of the organizations representing the veterans in the lawsuit. She said she's encouraged by Judge Joseph Spero's ruling that the court understands what's at stake.

]We were not talking about any single individual and what happened to them in the corrections process, but rather a decision that was made at the time that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell  was repealed not too proactively and systematically correct people's discharge documents," Larkin said. "That's really the heart of the case.’

Larkin said the next step in the process will be to have the case certified as a class action. That's key to forcing the Pentagon to finally do the right thing, she said.

‘I think it is really important because It's the final piece of the government taking responsibility for what was a terrible injustice that hurt so many people ... over their lifetimes.’”

- Judge denies Pentagon request to dismiss LGBTQ+ veterans lawsuit, KPBS, by Andrew Dyer, June 25, 2024

“Spero said the plaintiffs could pursue claims that forcing LGBTQ veterans to engage in the ‘burdensome and even traumatic’ process of seeking to change their discharge status violates their constitutional rights to due process and equal protection. . . .’At least as a matter of pleading, these allegations are sufficient to allege conduct that shocks the conscience,’ Spero wrote. Lawyers for the plaintiffs applauded the decision in a joint statement. ‘These veterans have been forced to carry official yet discriminatory paperwork from the U.S. government that unnecessarily indicates their sexual orientation anytime they try to prove their status as veterans,’ they said, referring to documents that set out the reasons for service members' discharges.”

- US military must face lawsuit over discharge of LGBTQ veterans, Reuters, by Daniel Wiessner, June 21, 2024

“We are very pleased that the Court recognized the merits of this case by denying the Department of Defense’s motion to dismiss,” attorneys for the veterans said in a statement. “This ruling allows us to move forward in rectifying the discriminatory effects of the Department of Defense’s policies, ensuring that LGBTQ+ veterans receive the honor they rightfully deserve, having served our country with dignity and integrity.”

- Pentagon’s request to dismiss lawsuit from LGBTQ+ veterans denied, Military Times, by Zamone Perez, June 25, 2024

“A federal court in San Francisco has refused to dismiss a class- action lawsuit brought by more than 35,000 LGBTQ+ veterans against the Defense Department, claiming they were wrongfully discharged because of their sexual orientation and often disqualified for veterans benefits. Attorneys representing the veterans described the court decision as a ‘major milestone for veterans wrongfully discharged.’”

- Thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans sue Defense Department claiming discrimination and wrongful discharge, Stars and Stripes, by Linda F. Hersey, June 24, 2024

“U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero rejected that request late Thursday, ruling that the plaintiffs will likely prove the department violated their right to equal protection under the Fifth and 14th amendments by failing to systematically correct the paperwork of all veterans discharged under DADT and similar policies.”

- Judge denies Pentagon request to dismiss LGBTQ veterans’ lawsuit, The Hill, by Brooke Migdon, June 21, 2024