South-Carolina
Pentagon agrees to settle historic lawsuit with LGBTQ+ veterans over discharge status
Despite that the ban on gay troops ended more than a decade ago, a surprisingly small fraction of the tens of thousands of vets affected have accessed benefits they are due.
The Pentagon has now agreed to settle a class action lawsuit that may change that for about 35,000 veterans.
“This settlement is not just about correcting records; it’s about restoring the honor and pride that LGBTQ+ veterans have always deserved but were denied,” said Lilly Steffanides, a U.S. Navy veteran and plaintiff in the case. “I hope this brings justice to others who served with courage, only to face exclusion and discrimination.”
Steffanides told NPR in 2023 that the stigma of being suddenly “outed” to their family in 1988, led to years of addiction and homelessness. Having an “other-than honorable” discharge meant no automatic access to VA benefits or health care. It’s a scarlet letter when employers ask about military service; many veterans would deny they ever served rather than reveal paperwork that showed they were kicked out for homosexual activity.
In 2011, after a long campaign by LGBTQ veterans and activists, the Obama administration ended the ban. In the years since, the integration of gay and lesbian troops has been heralded as a huge success with no effects on unit cohesion or combat readiness, according to the Pentagon. But the plaintiffs in the lawsuit say the lingering stigma and a mountain of red tape kept many veterans from even applying to upgrade their military discharge status and get the benefits they had earned.
The Pentagon announced a proactive review of discharges under “don’t ask, don’t tell” — the 1993 Clinton administration policy that banned troops from being open about their sexuality — last October, but this proposed settlement agreed to Monday will speed up that process considerably if approved by California’s Northern District Court. Instead of individual applications, the settlement will allow veterans to have their records reviewed in large groups, delivering access to VA benefits and Honorable Discharge papers as early as this summer.
“This proposed settlement delivers long-overdue justice to LGBTQ+ veterans who served our country with honor but were stripped of the dignity and recognition they rightfully earned due to discriminatory discharge policies. It marks a crucial step in addressing this deep-seated injustice and ensuring these veterans receive the acknowledgment and respect they have long been denied,” said Jocelyn Larkin, an attorney on the plaintiffs’ legal team.
The Pentagon referred questions to the Department of Justice, which declined NPR’s request for comment.
Copyright 2025 NPR
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 6-6-6, FB: 3
Evening: 4-8-2, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 6-9-9-3, FB: 3
Evening: 4-2-8-2, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 14
Evening: 09
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from May 14 drawing
03-06-13-35-38
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
A primer on absentee and early voting as we await clarity on the Palmetto State’s suddenly shifting congressional districts…
by MARK POWELL
***
We’re hearing a lot these days about South Carolina’s partisan primary elections – and with good reason. In addition to the ongoing drama tied to the proposed redrawing of the Palmetto State’s congressional districts, elections for the two most influential statewide offices – governor and attorney general – are also on tap.
For the first time since 2010, neither of those races features an incumbent seeking reelection. Status quo incumbent governor Henry McMaster is term-limited and cannot run again, while attorney general Alan Wilson is stepping down as the state’s top prosecutor to campaign for governor.
Not surprisingly, both races are extremely competitive – with multiple candidates having potential paths to victory.
Although partisan primary elections won’t be held until June 9, 2026, votes are already being cast via absentee ballot. According to the S.C. Election Commission (SCVotes), at last count 9,267 absentee ballots have already been sent for the June 9 primary – with thousands more expected to be mailed out in the coming two weeks.
Of those, 549 ballots have already been completed and returned.
***
For those wanting to vote absentee, the clock is ticking. State law says absentee ballots must be returned eleven (11) days before Election Day… which is May 29, 2026. In requesting, completing and returning absentee ballots this year, voters would be wise to consider the congressional district in which they reside – and know it could change in the coming days.
Under pressure from U.S. president Donald Trump, lawmakers are poised to draw new congressional maps within the next week – meaning votes cast based on the current boundaries may not count. That’s one of many logistical (and potentially legal) headaches confronting lawmakers keen on doing Trump’s bidding.
Next up? Early voting…
Starting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and running through Friday, June 5, 2026, early voting centers will be open in all forty-six (46) counties in South Carolina. Ballots can be cast Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT. Remember to bring a valid photo identification with you, because when voting in person you will be asked to show one of the following…
- SC Driver’s License
- Includes standard license and REAL ID
- SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
- Includes standard ID card and REAL ID
- Includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit
- SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
- Federal Military ID
- Includes all Department of Defense Photo IDs and Veterans Affairs Benefits Card
- US Passport
- Includes US Passport ID Card
For a sample ballot, click here. For information on where to vote in your county, click here.
***
RELATED | HENRY McMASTER CALLING SPECIAL SESSION
***
In some areas, curbside voting will also be available during the early voting window. Voters aged 65 and older or those with physical disabilities are eligible to cast their ballots from the convenience of their cars. Again, check with your local voting office about availability in your area.
Those concerned about lengthy waits and long, wrap-around-the-building lines may not have reason to fret – at least if recent history is any guide. While those horrifically long and agonizing queues are common in presidential primaries and general elections, Palmetto State citizens have had a more relaxed view of fulfilling their civic duty in recent years when it comes to primary elections.
In the last statewide primary in 2022, only 17.05% of registered voters cast their ballots. In 2018, it was 20.43%. Those were those landslides compared to 2014’s primary, when an anemic 15.97% participated.
The high-water mark for primary participation was 2010, when controversy swirling around Nikki Haley’s candidacy drove turnout to a whopping 24.11% – proving yet again that scandal always sells.
But I’ll leave any further discussion of that race (and that scandal) to our founding editor…
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
J. Mark Powell is an award-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. He is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? Email him at mark@fitsnews.com.
***
SOUND OFF…
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