06/18/2026
Bad news for 2SLGBTQIA+ veterans. I just learned about this today.
😢
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued an internal memorandum ordering health facilities nationwide to eliminate gender identity-based initiatives and remove the "LGBTQ+" designation from its specialized care coordinator network.
Signed on June 12, 2026, by Veterans Health Administration Under Secretary for Health John J. Bartrum, the directive is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and references to gender identity within federal operations.
Redesignation of Personnel: "LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinators"—a specialized support network established over a decade ago—are officially rebranded as generic "Care Coordinators".
Resource and Funding Ban: Federal funds, staffing time, training, and government facilities can no longer be used for internal or external activities that promote what the administration defines as "gender identity" or "gender ideology".
System-Wide Compliance Audits: VA medical centers must audit all communication channels, websites, training materials, SharePoint sites, policies, and upcoming events to ensure they comply with the new rules.
Removal of Visual Identifiers: Under the directive's framework, facilities have already started removing supportive posters, inclusive health resources, and Pride flags, alongside removing gender identity profiles from VA systems.
Impact on Clinical Care and Programs: The memorandum asserts that all veterans will continue to receive healthcare services and that any veteran care programs explicitly mandated by Congress will remain legally unchanged.
However, clinicians, advocacy groups, and former health officials have raised significant concern. They warn that removing identity-specific roles and targeted outreach could undermine veteran trust, weaken access to medical navigation, and impact established mental health initiatives like PRIDE in All Who Served.
This 2026 directive follows earlier policy shifts by the agency, including a March 2025 order that halted gender dysphoria treatments and gender-affirming care referrals for new patients.
