{"id":75050,"date":"2024-02-01T20:20:55","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T20:20:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2024\/02\/01\/advocates-criticize-va-response-after-lgbtq-harassment-incidents\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:08:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:08:46","slug":"advocates-criticize-va-response-after-lgbtq-harassment-incidents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/veterans\/2024\/02\/01\/advocates-criticize-va-response-after-lgbtq-harassment-incidents\/","title":{"rendered":"Advocates criticize VA response after LGBTQ harassment incidents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Advocates are criticizing Veterans Affairs leaders <\/a>for what they say is a lackluster response to a growing number of anti-LGBTQ incidents within the department, in contrast to administration rhetoric promising to make the agency more welcoming to all veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this week, staffers at the Portland VA Medical Center<\/a> in Washington found a flier posted in a public elevator mocking department diversity efforts<\/a>, claiming that leaders only want to help veterans who are \u201cgay or at least members of one of the approved minority groups promoted endlessly in the name of eliminating racial divisions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs stating \u201cwe serve all who serve\u201d were also torn down in parts of the hospital, and handouts with suicide prevention resources specific to LGBTQ veterans<\/a> were thrown into the trash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement to staff on Wednesday, VISN 20 Network Director Teresa Boyd said she was \u201csaddened\u201d by the incidents and that VA police are looking into the matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can do better,\u201d Boyd wrote. \u201cWe owe it to ourselves and our VA family. To be clear, I have zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination and vandalism in our workplace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t