FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Minority Veterans of America: [email protected]
Modern Military Association of America: [email protected]
Out in National Security: [email protected]
SPARTA: [email protected] 

Washington, D.C. (March 14, 2025) – Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rescinded the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) Directive 1341 — a lifesaving policy that ensured transgender, nonbinary, and intersex veterans received respectful, clinically appropriate health care. The directive protected access to hormone therapy, mental health care, and other vital services, while guiding VA facilities in providing culturally competent care. Its repeal threatens the dignity and well-being of countless veterans who rely on VA for equitable and inclusive health services.

Together, a coalition of military, veteran, and national security organizations — including Minority Veterans of America, Modern Military Association of America, SPARTA, and Out in National Security — vehemently condemn this decision, which is certain to have catastrophic mental and physical health consequences.

“VA’s decision to rescind Directive 1341 is a direct attack on the dignity and well-being of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex veterans — one that will have deadly outcomes,” said Lindsay Church (they/them), Executive Director of Minority Veterans of America. “Transgender individuals serve at a higher rate than the general public; this decision will force our community to defer or delay care and opt out of VA services altogether. This decision will exacerbate our already devastatingly high suicide rates and push more veterans into crisis for no reason other than hate. VA is abandoning those who have served, stripping us of critical health care protections, and sending a clear message that our lives and service to our country do not matter.”

VHA Directive 1341 was introduced in 2018 to combat discrimination. It protected dignity in care by ensuring transgender, nonbinary, and intersex veterans at VA facilities were not misgendered or dead named and could use the VA facilities free from harassment and discrimination. It also required data collection to accurately assess and address the community’s unique needs.  

While Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins has claimed that care for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex veterans will continue to be offered for the time being through VA and will not change without agency rulemaking, uninterrupted care is impossible. The repeal of Directive 1341 strips away the very framework that ensured access to respectful, clinically appropriate, and affirming care, making it far more difficult — if not impossible — for veterans to receive the care they need.

“VA’s’ rollback of crucial protections, specifically the elimination of Directive 1341, is a direct assault on the well-being of vulnerable LGBTQ+ veterans, jeopardizing their access to essential care,” said Rachel Branaman, executive director of Modern Military Association of America. “Combined with the administration’s planned cut of 80,000 VA employees, these actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the nation’s commitment to those who have served. We must demand accountability and fight to restore these vital protections by urging Congress to protect veterans’ rights and ensure they receive the respectful, clinically appropriate care they deserve without fear of discrimination.”

Arbitrarily ending Directive 1341 effectively authorizes discrimination and harassment toward an already-vulnerable population. Given that thousands of transgender troops may soon be forcibly separated from active duty, the rescission of this policy leaves them with a continuum of harm rather than continuity of care as they enter the VA system. 

“The foundation of military service is trust, trust in leadership, in our fellow service members, and in the promise that if we give our all, we will be taken care of,” said Emily Shilling, president of SPARTA. “Yet today, transgender service members are being forced out, denied basic dignity at the VA, and are now being stripped of the healthcare promised to every veteran who served honorably. This is a betrayal of that sacred trust, one that weakens our force, our veterans, and the nation we swore to defend.” 

“At a time when the American people face growing global threats, attacks on LGBTQ+ service members, veterans, and their families make all of us less safe,” said Luke Schleusener, Chief Executive Officer of Out in National Security. “All who are willing and qualified to sign up for military service — and all who have honorably served our country in uniform — deserve our respect, gratitude, and support.”

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A message of hope to veterans

We are gravely concerned about the devastating mental and physical health consequences of rescinding Directive 1341. This is one of many recent abrupt policy changes that will have a cascading effect on veterans, particularly those from marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ veterans.

To our trans, nonbinary, and intersex siblings in arms: we see your struggle and we share your pain; please do not give up. The fight is far from over and we are right here with you. We do not want even one more transgender, nonbinary, or intersex person to end their life or face crisis because they are unable to access the care and support they need. We must take decisive action to care for ourselves and each other. Forge strong community bonds, build robust mutual aid systems, and remember the power of our collective strength.

If you are a veteran in our community who can no longer access affirming care at the VA, or who feels unsafe using the VA system, below are recommended resources for crisis support, general support, and healthcare access.

Crisis lines:

  • Trans Lifeline: (877) 565- 8860, translifeline.org
  • The Trevor Project (intended for youth but they will take calls from all ages): (866) 488-7386

Healthcare alternatives

Support groups

Other resources