![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/San-Diego-Gay-pride-2012-servicemembers2-300x188.jpg\")
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Military Times seems concerned that the services aren’t tracking how many LGBTQetc transfer requests have been received.<\/p>\n
In early 2022, state laws targeting LGBTQ+ communities began to spread across the U.S., leading the military services to offer resources for families seeking support and even relocations to escape discrimination.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
They seem to feel the Air Force tracks these requests best.<\/p>\n
The Department of the Air Force — which also oversees the Space Force — told Military.com on Thursday that 15 relocations have been granted under “exceptions to policy (ETP) for members experiencing a range of racial- and LGBTQ+-related discrimination” since 2021.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
OK, I am a cynic – we’re talking less than 1% of the general population pool, divided by the proportion of them who actually enlist, AND feel so strongly that local laws ‘harm’ them some way that they have to relocate – and come up with 15 cases in almost two years. But wait – there’s more! Note this also includes a ‘range of racial’ issues. Taking just blacks, we move up to what, 15% of the populace, a pool which we know does enlist, and which in some areas is indeed likely to really run into racial issues\u00a0 So in truth the AF is relocating what, one or two families annually?<\/p>\n
For some services like the Army, Marine Corps and Navy, their discrimination-based relocation options are not heavily advertised and the branches are relying on old, existing policies to accommodate troops who have grown concerned that new state laws could lead to harm for their families.<\/p>\n
The Army told Military.com that, under its compassionate action program, it had received 1,443 requests so far for fiscal 2023; 2,267 requests in 2022; and 2,459 in 2021.<\/p>\n
In that three-year period, nearly 500 of those requests have been rejected. But compassionate actions cover a wide range of reasons, from pregnant soldiers switching bases during their third trimester or a soldier wanting to escape sexual harassment.<\/p>\n
Jennifer Dane, an LGBTQ+ advocate and an Air Force veteran who was one of the last to be investigated under the Pentagon’s old “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, told Military.com that the lack of specific data that shows whether service members and their families are experiencing widespread discrimination is concerning.<\/p>\n
“There’s no transparency,” Dane said. “There just needs to be more transparency across all branches.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n