Albany Lawmakers Extend Benefits To Vets Discharged For LGBT Identity
When it comes to discharged LGBT veterans in Albany County, they don’t have to worry about being denied benefits due to their sexual orientation.
County lawmakers on Monday passed a law that will ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender veterans who were discharged under the federal government's Don't Ask Don’t Tell police started under President Bill Clinton to receive county-level veteran’s benefits.
These benefits include veteran property-tax exemptions, civil service points and the opportunity to participate in the county’s Return the Favor Program. The county law also outlines a process for individuals to get their discharge paperwork corrected at the federal level. . .