ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pride month celebrations continued Sunday in Tampa Bay with the St. Pete Pride Grand Central Street Fair. 

What You Need To Know

  • In 1994, the U.S. adopted Don't Ask Don't Tell and it remained in place for 17 years before it was repealed
  • LGBTQ Veterans may be able to recieve benifits if they were discharged during Don't Ask Don't Tell era

The event brings tens of thousands of people to the area with various entertainment, vendors, and food.

The Department of Veterans Affairs also made an appearance.

Greg Gales, a Program Analyst with the Department of Veterans Affairs, said Pride is the perfect time and place to educate. 

“We’ve got information on benefits, health care, discharge upgrades,” he said.  

Gales served in the United States Army for nearly six years and identifies as part of the LGBTQ community. 

In 1994, the U.S. adopted Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and it remained in place for 17 years before it was repealed. 

Gales said before the law was abolished, openly being part of the LGBTQ community wasn’t an option.

“They were discharged based on sexual orientation only, and that was wrong,” he said.  

Gales said after the repeal, many people thought it only affected active members of the military. 

Now he and other members of the Department of Veterans Affairs at Sunday’s street fair are trying to make sure all veterans know what benefits may be available to them.  

“We want to be there, we want to let people know that if you served previously, you may be entitled to a discharge upgrade,” he said. “We want to make sure all veterans get the maximum benefits to which they’re entitled to under federal law.” 

For more information about the possible benefits available, Greg encourages veterans to visit a regional office.