Veterans

This entry provides an overview of the extant literature on the prevalence and experiences of sexual-minority veterans in the United States. Despite a long history of sexual minorities serving in the military, dating back to the Revolutionary War, research and literature on the experiences of sexual-minority service members and veterans is scant across disciplines. This is unfortunate given that the unique experiences of these veterans have been shaped by the intersections of military culture and the broader sociopolitical context. The entry begins by summarizing the historical context and impact of the policy Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) on the experience of sexual-minority military veterans. Next, the most recent estimates of the prevalence of sexual minorities in various branches of the military are discussed. The remaining ...