Secretary orders review of VA's transgender policies

[MiraM]

https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85152/secretary-orders-review-vas-transgender-policies/?utm_source=VRfeature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources

 

I am overjoyed that this is at least going to be looked at.  While the VA has vastly improved it's LGBTQ+ care compared to how it was when I first entered the VA system 30+ years ago, there still does need to be more improvement.  The current exclusion of medically necessary gender affirming procedures is just one area that needs to be revamped.  I don't really expect any real changes anytime soon, if ever, and looking at the comments on this blog post, there are going to be major hurdles to get over to make any changes.  Many of the commenters seem to think it is OK for the VA to give medication/procedures to cis men so they can get a boner, but the transgender veteran community should just shut up and go back into the closet because we don't deserve the benefits we earned.

[Carolyn Marie]

This is great news for our transgender veterans, if it results in real change.  I'm not sure of this; it's old information, but I had heard that the prohibition on GCS for vets came out of Congress as an appropriations issue, and may require Congressional action to change it.  We shall see what the review finds.

 

We can expect resistance, certainly.  Change is never easy, but it is always important.

 

Carolyn Marie