What Netflix’s Boots Gets Right About DADT—And How LGBTQ+ Veterans Can Get VA Benefits Now
The new Netflix drama Boots shines a light on the injustices faced by LGBTQ+ service members under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” But the show is only half the story. In 2025, a landmark class-action settlement—Farrell v. Department of Defense—created real legal pathways for veterans to upgrade their discharge records and access VA benefits that had long been denied. If the story in Boots resonated with you or someone you love, this guide explains what was real, what the show missed, and how LGBTQ+ veterans in Nebraska and across the U.S. can take action now.
Boots and the Real History Behind the Drama
In Boots, viewers follow a closeted soldier trying to survive in a culture of secrecy, suspicion, and fear. While fictional, it echoes real U.S. military policies that remained in place for decades.
From the 1980s until the 2011 repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), thousands of LGBTQ+ service members were discharged—not for misconduct, but for who they were. Many received a less-than-honorable discharge, which cut off access to:
VA healthcare and GI Bill education benefits
VA-backed home loans and employment resources
Even the legal right to be recognized as a “veteran”
The emotional damage shown in Boots is accurate. What’s missing is what comes after—and how the law is finally catching up.
What the Show Misses—The Path to Justice Is Real
Here’s the hopeful reality that Boots doesn’t show: LGBTQ+ veterans today are not stuck in the past.
Thanks to the landmark class-action settlement in Farrell v. Department of Defense, finalized in January 2025, the federal government has agreed to implement major reforms affecting veterans discharged under DADT and earlier discriminatory policies. Under the settlement:
LGBTQ+ veterans now have access to a streamlined process to upgrade their discharge status to “Honorable.”
They can remove stigmatizing language referencing sexual orientation or “homosexual conduct” from their DD-214.
They may regain eligibility for VA benefits, including healthcare, education, housing, and more.
The lawsuit, filed in 2023, argued that retaining this language violated veterans’ constitutional rights to due process and equal protection. It also challenged the burdensome, case-by-case patchwork previously required to fix these records.
This 2025 settlement doesn’t erase the harm—but it creates a real, national pathway to correct it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the story in Boots based on real experiences?
Yes. While dramatized, Boots reflects real stories of LGBTQ+ service members discharged under DADT and earlier policies.
What is Farrell v. Department of Defense?
Farrell is a class-action lawsuit filed by LGBTQ+ veterans in 2023. The January 2025 settlement now guarantees more accessible pathways to correct discharge records that referenced sexual orientation or resulted in less-than-honorable status.
Do I qualify if I was discharged before DADT?
Yes. The new process applies to any discharge based on sexual orientation—including pre-1993 discharges—if the reason was rooted in discriminatory policy.
Can I get VA benefits without a formal discharge upgrade?
Possibly. Under the VA’s “compelling circumstances” rules, you may qualify for medical or housing benefits even if your discharge hasn’t been formally corrected yet.