[1] Although serving primarily as a social outlet, the VBA formed in part in response to the sense of injustice that many gay veterans felt about being given blue discharges.
[2] These discharges, so-called because they were printed on blue paper,[3] were issued to those whose military service ended under less-than-honorable, although not dishonorable, conditions.
The VBA had a legal advisory panel that focused on helping members who faced discrimination in employment or housing based on their sexual orientation.
[6] Membership never exceeded 100 people, although the group's dances frequently attracted several hundred, including married members and their wives.
[7] Despite its early success as a social organization, VBA members began to disagree over the purpose of the group, leading to the rise of factionalism.