We—Sherrill Farrell, Jules Sohn, Hayden Powell, Lilly Steffanides, and James Gonzalez—represent thousands of people who were forced out of the United States military for being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer. We represent talented, dedicated servicemembers who were told we were unfit to serve—not because of our performance, our commitment, or our courage—but because of who we are and who we love.
Each of us is a survivor in our own way.
We served across every branch of the military. Sherrill and Lilly served in the United States Navy. James is an Army veteran. Hayden was in the Air Force. I, Jules Sohn, served in the Marine Corps. Yet for years, many of us did not feel we could call ourselves “veterans.” Because we were discharged under policies that criminalized our identities—often with “other than honorable” or similar discharges—we were denied not only benefits, but dignity.
Through the extraordinary persistence and commitment of the Impact Fund, the California Women’s Law Center, Legal Aid at Work, King & Spalding, and Haynes and Boone, Farrell v. Department of Defense has changed that. Because of this case, we can now say, unequivocally, that we are veterans. And for many of us, there is finally a pathway to discharge upgrades and access to the benefits we earned through our service.
Hayden Powell’s experience reflects the cruelty of these policies with painful clarity. Hayden was discharged from the Air Force at her very first duty station after her base sponsor revealed that she was a lesbian. She was accused of committing a “homosexual act” and treated like a criminal—despite having done nothing wrong. That discharge followed her for decades, preventing her from accessing any Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. Hayden’s courage in lending her voice to this case has helped open the door to justice for countless others.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
