{"id":80851,"date":"2026-06-18T17:30:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T17:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2026\/06\/18\/va-eliminates-gender-identity-initiatives-reclassifies-lgbtq-care-coordinators\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:12:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:12:30","slug":"va-eliminates-gender-identity-initiatives-reclassifies-lgbtq-care-coordinators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/veterans\/2026\/06\/18\/va-eliminates-gender-identity-initiatives-reclassifies-lgbtq-care-coordinators\/","title":{"rendered":"VA eliminates gender-identity initiatives, reclassifies LGBTQ+ care coordinators"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Department of Veterans Affairs is eliminating activity geared toward veterans\u2019 gender identities and reclassifying its LGBTQ+ care coordinators, according to an internal memo<\/a> made public this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of the June 12 memo, it says, is to bring the department into compliance with two executive orders signed last year at the start of President Donald Trump\u2019s second term: one<\/a> that ended the federal government\u2019s diversity, equity and inclusion activities<\/a> and another that required the federal government to recognize two biological sexes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Undersecretary for Health John Bartrum sent the directive to all Veterans Health Administration senior leaders, as well as directors of the 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks and VA medical center directors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVA must ensure all veterans are treated based on their clinical needs and without discrimination,\u201d Bartrum wrote in the memo. \u201cThis guidance ensures VHS will do just that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No VA funds, official time, facilities nor other resources should be used for meetings, trainings, working groups or activities \u201cpromoting gender-ideology or gender-identity,\u201d Bartrum\u2019s memo reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The memo also directs all of the VA\u2019s LGTBQ+ care coordinators to be redesignated simply as \u201ccare coordinators,\u201d who will be \u201cdedicated to facilitating VA health care and benefits for all veterans, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex or sexual orientation.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The VA employs at least one LGBTQ+ care coordinator for each of its 142 health care systems<\/a>, according to the department. They\u2019re responsible for creating a safe and respectful environment throughout each medical facility, spreading knowledge about LGBTQ+ services and educating and training staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\t