WASHINGTON — June is Pride Month, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) stands with our fellow Americans in recognizing and honoring the commitment, service and sacrifice of our nation’s LGBTQ veterans and service members.
It is estimated that there are a little more than 1 million LGBTQ veterans in the United States. They are among us, counted with us and are one of the less than 1% of us who serve or have served our great nation. Our fellow veterans have earned and deserve the same dignity, respect, honor, treatment, health care, and benefits that are owed to everyone who has selflessly served. When it comes to LGBTQ military men and women – no one can question their love of our country and their identity as patriotic Americans.
Beginning in 1999, four U.S. presidents officially declared June as Pride Month – President Bill Clinton, President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. The 2024 White House proclamation for Pride Month can be found here.
The 1.4 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary salute all LGBTQ veterans, past, present, and future, and say “thank you” for your service to our great nation.