Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you very much for your kind comments. Certainly I know you've been on this journey for a long time in support of us. Training is so vital. It's really essential to understand what basic human rights are around LGBTQ2+ equality, and to explain a bit of history to ensure that respect is conveyed whenever you're dealing with an LGBTQ2+ veteran.

Veterans Affairs committee  We need to have that training in both English and French so there's good awareness for all veterans who apply.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. I think there should be a basic awareness of how LGBTQ2 people should be respected and addressed. I would make many of the points that Nina made about how just fundamental matters of respect and training are required so that people don't feel as though they're being retraumatized by a department that is, by and large, doing very good things to help them.

Veterans Affairs committee  —who would have to explain the story to a case manager. It's essential that we train them well.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Caputo. I think a basic level of awareness about what LGBTQ people have experienced in the military is vital to being welcomed into a community where you're now called a veteran, but who have reservations about whether they will continue to be judged and marginalized and discriminated against.

Veterans Affairs committee  Chair, members of the committee, I'm honoured to be invited to appear before you today. Talking to you tonight is a great privilege for me. I am a veteran. I served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1986 to 1989. I was hoping to serve in the military for my whole career, but unfortunately I was one of the thousands of people who were caught up in the LGBT purge.