{"id":78079,"date":"2023-03-30T00:52:14","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T00:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/03\/30\/transgender-vets-call-for-more-protections-from-congress-va\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:13:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:13:01","slug":"transgender-vets-call-for-more-protections-from-congress-va","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2023\/03\/30\/transgender-vets-call-for-more-protections-from-congress-va\/","title":{"rendered":"Transgender vets call for more protections from Congress, VA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Transgender veterans and advocates rallied outside the Capitol Wednesday to demand Veterans Affairs officials<\/a> follow through on promises to provide gender-affirming surgery<\/a> at department medical centers and to implore lawmakers to enact additional protections for transgender troops<\/a> facing an uncertain future in the ranks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need this administration and Congress to do everything in their power to protect trans Americans,\u201d said Lindsay Church, executive director of Minority Veterans of America. \u201cIt\u2019s not just a matter of comfort. It\u2019s a vital matter of survival.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Church and other advocates said political attacks on transgender individuals have mounted in state legislatures and in Congress in recent months. At least 11 states have passed laws restricting transgender medical care or advocacy since the start of 2023, according to data from the American Civil Liberties Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And legislation proposed by Sen. Marco Rubio, D-Fla., last month would reverse policies allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in the military. Participants at the rally called that a direct attack on their service to America and a potentially harmful recruiting message for the force.<\/p>\n\n\n\t