69 Dems demanding answers about Veterans Affairs “shameful” anti-trans policies

[Jessica_Rose]

69 Dems sign letter demanding answers about Veterans Affairs "shameful" anti-trans policies

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/03/69-dems-sign-letter-demanding-answers-about-veterans-affairs-shameful-anti-trans-policies/

By Daniel Villarreal (31 March 2025)

Gay Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and 68 other members of Congress have signed a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Doug Collins criticizing his department's decision to phase out gender-affirming care for transgender soldiers, as well as the VA's other recent anti-trans policy changes.

The letter notes that the VA rescinded a February 2013 directive requiring it to provide "clinically appropriate care" (including "preferred names and pronouns") to transgender and intersex veterans. The new policy allows trans vets who are currently receiving hormone therapy to continue to do so but forbids any new vets from receiving the same treatment. Current policy also forbids all trans vets from receiving any other sort of gender-affirming medical or surgical care. The VA said all costs associated with this care will now go towards helping paralyzed veterans and amputees.

"Medical care to treat gender dysphoria is supported by every major medical association in the United States," the letter states. "Your decision to end this care—even when a provider deems it medically necessary—is an affront to transgender veterans."

"Your decision to pit veterans against each other... is also shameful," the letter continues. "Your position requires you to support all veterans, regardless of their identity or medical needs. Your attempt to portray cutting off medical care to some veterans as an action to support other veterans is especially hypocritical..."