In response to a recent anti-transgender op-ed penned by three mental health professionals affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other bias-related incidents, the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) and Minority Veterans of America, along with a coalition of 21 organizations, issued a joint letter urging the VA to take decisive action.
The op-ed, which appeared in The Hill last month, sparked concern among LGBTQ+ advocates and veterans. The letter emphasized the need for accountability and adherence to VA policies on gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as restoring trust in the VA’s healthcare system for LGBTQ+ veterans.
“Transgender veterans, like all people, deserve unwavering access to affirming, safe, and inclusive health care. Recent incidents undermine the Department of Veterans Affairs’ mission to deliver high-quality, safe, and accessible health care to all veterans. Inclusive policies bolster the safety and well-being of every patient, rather than diminishing it. It is the collective responsibility of VA and all of their employees to ensure that all veterans and their families feel welcome and safe in VA facilities and in their care,” said Lindsay Church of Minority Veterans of America.
In addition to addressing the specific incident, the coalition’s letter called on the VA to implement measures to make patients aware of their rights to report discrimination and to transfer providers if they experience bias or discrimination in their care. The letter also posed several questions regarding the VA’s efforts to address ongoing cultural issues within its facilities.
“We urge the VA to not only address this specific incident but also take proactive steps to foster a culture of inclusivity and respect within all of its facilities,” added Rachel Branaman of MMAA. “Patients should feel safe and supported when seeking care at VA facilities, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. We encourage individuals who have experienced LGBTQ+ discrimination at their VA to report those incidents via MMAA’s Incident Reporting form so we can continue to track and address these concerns.”
