VA redesignates LGBTQ+ care coordinators and limits further ‘gender-ideology’ services

The Department of Veterans Affairs is moving to further restrict services for LGBTQ+ retired servicemembers, with the dedicated care coordinators for these veterans set to be redesignated as part of a new directive aimed at limiting activities that the agency says conflict with White House mandates.

In a June 12 memo titled “Reiterating Executive Order Compliance Responsibilities” — a copy of which was obtained by Nextgov/FCW — VA said it is prohibiting agency resource allocation that “diverts from merit-based, mission-focused operations.”

The memo was signed by John Bartrum, under secretary for health for the Veterans Health Administration, the VA’s healthcare arm. VHA officials have 14 days to confirm in writing that all non-compliant activities have ceased.

The Advocate first reported news of the directive on Saturday.

This memo says these steps include restricting the use of “VHA funds, official time, facilities or resources” being used for “any activities promoting gender-ideology...

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