ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday said New York State veterans who had been denied an honorable discharge due to their sexual orientation or gender identity can now submit an application under The Restoration of Honor Act.
The act, signed by Cuomo in November, allows people who are eligible to have their New York State veterans' benefits restored.
The act aims to help "veterans who received less than honorable discharges as a result of military sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, or post-traumatic stress disorder," as well as people impacted by exclusionary policies such as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
The state says initial decisions based by the Division of Veterans’ Services on these applications will start being provided on November 12.
