AFGE is speaking out after the Department of Veterans Affairs issued new orders designed to suppress the rights of veterans within the LGBTQ+ community and the federal employees tasked with ensuring their health and safety.
In a June 12 memo to senior leaders and directors, VA Undersecretary of Health John Bartrum announced a series of immediate changes being made to adhere with executive orders President Trump issued early in his current term targeting federal programs related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) as well as programs that serve the country’s two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual communities (2SLGBTQIA+).
Bartrum’s memo reclassifies veteran care coordinators who were hired to specifically support LGBTQ+ veterans to roles as general care coordinators, prohibits the use of VA funds or facilities to discuss gender identity programs, and orders employees to adhere to uniform and attire standards that may not align with their identities.
“This memo isn’t just another policy update. It’s a reminder that bigoted leaders are still up there making decisions. It’s a slap in the face to the union members who represent their fellow employees and to the veterans from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who receive their care from the VA,” said AFGE PRIDE Chair Tiffany McPherson, who also is vice president of AFGE Local 96 representing VA employees in St. Louis, Mo.
McPherson said the impact of the VA’s actions could pose direct harm to veterans since it sends a message that their needs and their safety aren’t valued by the agency.
“For a lot of 2SLGBTQIA+ veterans, this creates fear around trying to get care at all. Some will avoid treatment – especially mental health services – out of fear of being misgendered, stigmatized, or treated with disrespect. For a community already facing higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide, those consequences aren’t hypothetical – they’re real and the agency knows it,” she said.
AFGE National Vice President for Women and Fair Practices Kendrick Roberson also blasted the VA’s actions.
“Dismantling the LGBTQIA+ veteran care coordinator roles is an extension of the immoral attacks on DEIA, and is a direct assault on civil rights. These specialized services are lifesaving for heroes who already faced unique hostility during their military service. We have an unwavering obligation to protect the specialized care they earned,” Roberson said.
Changes in working conditions must be negotiated with AFGE prior to implementation. AFGE will hold VA accountable for its labor obligations.
