{"id":77754,"date":"2023-06-20T16:40:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T16:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:08:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:08:59","slug":"after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/","title":{"rendered":"After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two years after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/veterans\/2023\/05\/30\/veterans-program-funding-ends-up-a-winner-in-debt-limit-deal\/\" target=\"_blank\">Veterans Affairs leaders<\/a> announced they would make \u201clife saving\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/veterans\/2021\/06\/19\/va-to-offer-gender-surgery-to-transgender-vets-for-the-first-time\/\" target=\"_blank\">surgery options for transgender veterans<\/a> available through department medical centers for the first time, no such operations have been performed, and VA officials admit there is no timeline for when they might begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/veterans\/2022\/06\/17\/transgender-veterans-still-waiting-on-vas-promise-of-surgery-options\/\" target=\"_blank\">The delay <\/a>comes as a national debate has erupted over both the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/veterans\/2023\/06\/13\/gop-budget-bill-would-ban-abortions-transgender-services-at-va\/\" target=\"_blank\"> surgeries and transgender rights<\/a>. Instead of alleviating some of the stress associated with that, Veterans Affairs officials are adding to the anxiety by failing to follow through with its promise, advocates say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe frustration level is extremely high,\u201d said Cassandra Williamson, executive director of Transgender and Diverse Veterans of America. \u201cThis is impacting veterans\u2019 mental health and well-being, and postponing some medically necessary procedures. We\u2019re losing faith in VA in a big way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On June 19, 2021, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough<a href=\"https:\/\/spartapride.org\/statement-of-support\/\" target=\"_blank\"> publicly vowed to start offering gender confirmation procedures<\/a> through department facilities for the first time. Officials at the time drew praise from LGBTQ activists for the move, even as department officials warned that the rulemaking process could drag on for months.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2021\/06\/19\/va-to-offer-gender-surgery-to-transgender-vets-for-the-first-time\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_17208123305714.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">VA to offer gender surgery to transgender vets for the first time<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Officials do not know how long the rule making process will take or when surgeries will begin to be scheduled.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, those months have turned into years. In the meantime, at least 20 states have placed limits on gender confirmation surgeries, largely aimed at minors. Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis recently compared the operations to \u201cmutilation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a statement, VA press secretary Terrence Hayes said department leaders are still committed to providing the surgery options to transgender veterans, and insisted that the larger political debate over transgender rights has not slowed down the rulemaking work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But he also said there is no timeline for when the first surgeries may be scheduled. Officials are \u201cmoving ahead methodically because we want this important change in policy to be implemented in a manner that has been thoroughly considered\u201d and \u201cmeets VA\u2019s rigorous standards for quality health care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Past estimates from the National Center for Transgender Equality and other advocacy groups put the number of transgender veterans in America today between 130,000 and 150,000. VA officials have estimated that around 4,000 veterans nationwide may be interested in gender confirmation surgeries, also known as gender reassignment surgeries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conservative groups have disputed both the estimates of transgender veterans and the need for VA to provide the surgery options, especially in states where it may run afoul of local laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although gender confirmation surgeries are not yet available through VA, the department does offer hormone therapies and other transgender-specific medical options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But advocates say that isn\u2019t enough, and question the reasons behind the delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/veterans\/2023\/03\/30\/transgender-vets-call-for-more-protections-from-congress-va\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TransgenderVets.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Transgender vets call for more protections from Congress, VA<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Advocates want VA to move ahead with plans to provide gender-affirming surgery to transgender veterans, a policy change first promised in summer 2021.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In late March, 157 outside groups \u2014 including Minority Veterans of America, Student Veterans of America and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/veterans\/2023\/03\/30\/transgender-vets-call-for-more-protections-from-congress-va\/\" target=\"_blank\">sent a letter to McDonough<\/a> calling the continued delay over transgender surgery availability \u201cnot just an equity issue, but also a safety issue.\u201d They said that offering the operations could help cut down on depression and suicide rates among transgender veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lindsay Church, executive director and founder of Minority Veterans of America, called the lack of progress on the issue disheartening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen they announced this plan, they said it would save lives,\u201d Church said. \u201cSo where is the action now that trans people\u2019s lives are on the line?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Church, who identifies as non-binary, was given breast implants years ago as part of reconstructive surgery from medical complications that arose during their time in the Navy. Earlier this year, during a medical appointment with VA, Church found out those implants had ruptured, causing a series of new health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI couldn\u2019t take them out earlier, because that falls under the transgender surgery options,\u201d Church said. \u201cSo the government can give you breast implants to affirm the gender they think you are, but they won\u2019t help you with other options unless it\u2019s a medical emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Williamson, a Navy and Marine Corps veteran, said she has heard similar stories from other transgender veterans. \u201cWe\u2019re hearing that having these surgery options would have helped greatly, but for now, these veterans are still waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee ranking member Mark Takano, D-Calif., said he is \u201cconcerned about the two-year delay\u201d regarding the surgeries and hopes for resolution on the issue soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, he said he still has faith that McDonough and his administration is committed to \u201cproviding much-needed healthcare to transgender veterans\u201d in the near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patientcare.va.gov\/lgbt\/\" target=\"_blank\">Veterans Affairs health care websites<\/a> promise that transgender veterans who reach out to the department will \u201creceive affirming care and services to achieve optimal health and well-being.\u201d But for now, the list of services still excludes gender confirming surgeries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI just keep telling our folks to keep fighting, to stay on this,\u201d Williamson said. \u201cWe understand the regulatory process does take time. But we didn\u2019t expect it to be this long.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The medical procedures have been mired in bureaucratic delays since June 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":107353,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":19,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[100,7,23,12,25,68,19],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3334],"class_list":["post-77754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-education-transition","category-home","category-news","category-newsletters","category-pentagon-congress","category-veterans"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"NL6CIKJ2H5BDXMVFJS7HFXHDXY","arc_canonical_url":"\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA - Army Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The medical procedures have been mired in bureaucratic delays since June 2021.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The medical procedures have been mired in bureaucratic delays since June 2021.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Army Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-06-20T16:40:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T15:08:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Leo Shane III\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Leo Shane III\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/#article\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"author\": {\n\t                \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"headline\": \"After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2023-06-20T16:40:00+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T15:08:59+00:00\",\n\t            \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"wordCount\": 798,\n\t            \"commentCount\": 0,\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/LindsayChurch.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"articleSection\": [\n\t                \"Daily News Roundup\",\n\t                \"Education &amp; Transition\",\n\t                \"Home\",\n\t                \"News\",\n\t                \"Newsletters\",\n\t                \"Pentagon &amp; Congress\",\n\t                \"Veterans\"\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"CommentAction\",\n\t                    \"name\": \"Comment\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/#respond\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA - Army Times\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#website\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"primaryImageOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/LindsayChurch.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2023-06-20T16:40:00+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T15:08:59+00:00\",\n\t            \"description\": \"The medical procedures have been mired in bureaucratic delays since June 2021.\",\n\t            \"breadcrumb\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/#breadcrumb\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ReadAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/#primaryimage\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/LindsayChurch.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/LindsayChurch.jpg.jpg\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/20\\\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\\\/#breadcrumb\",\n\t            \"itemListElement\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 1,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Home\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"home\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 2,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Veterans\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/veterans\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"veterans\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 3,\n\t                    \"name\": \"After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA\"\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#website\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Army Times\",\n\t            \"description\": \"Independent News For Soldiers | Army Times\",\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"SearchAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"EntryPoint\",\n\t                        \"urlTemplate\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"\n\t                    },\n\t                    \"query-input\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"PropertyValueSpecification\",\n\t                        \"valueRequired\": true,\n\t                        \"valueName\": \"search_term_string\"\n\t                    }\n\t                }\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#organization\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Army Times\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/\",\n\t            \"logo\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/army-logo-white.png\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/army-logo-white.png\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"Army Times\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"\n\t            }\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\",\n\t            \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"migration\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/author\\\/migration\\\/\"\n\t        }\n\t    ]\n\t}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA - Army Times","description":"The medical procedures have been mired in bureaucratic delays since June 2021.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA","og_description":"The medical procedures have been mired in bureaucratic delays since June 2021.","og_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/","og_site_name":"Army Times","article_published_time":"2023-06-20T16:40:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-08T15:08:59+00:00","author":"Leo Shane III","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Leo Shane III","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/"},"author":{"name":"migration","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1"},"headline":"After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA","datePublished":"2023-06-20T16:40:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T15:08:59+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/"},"wordCount":798,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/LindsayChurch.jpg.jpg","articleSection":["Daily News Roundup","Education &amp; Transition","Home","News","Newsletters","Pentagon &amp; Congress","Veterans"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/","name":"After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA - Army Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/LindsayChurch.jpg.jpg","datePublished":"2023-06-20T16:40:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T15:08:59+00:00","description":"The medical procedures have been mired in bureaucratic delays since June 2021.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/LindsayChurch.jpg.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/LindsayChurch.jpg.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/20\/after-two-years-still-no-timeline-for-transgender-surgeries-at-va\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/","ad_zone":"home"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Veterans","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/","ad_zone":"veterans"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"After two years, still no timeline for transgender surgeries at VA"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#website","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/","name":"Army Times","description":"Independent News For Soldiers | Army Times","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#organization","name":"Army Times","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/army-logo-white.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/army-logo-white.png","caption":"Army Times"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1","name":"migration","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"migration"},"url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/author\/migration\/"}]}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Army Times","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes","push-errors":false,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/LindsayChurch.jpg.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77754"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77754\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":102854,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77754\/revisions\/102854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77754"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=77754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}