Posted on Jun 8, 2021
Biden, lawmakers highlight inclusion of LGBTQ service members and Veterans
38.5K
546
152
216
216
0
As June’s Pride month kicked off, the Biden Administration and lawmakers in Congress highlighted efforts to be more inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons in the military and Veteran communities, addressing years of past discrimination and countering new restrictions of LGBTQ rights.
Department of Defense (DOD) Press Secretary John F. Kirby, speaking to reporters earlier this month, honored the “the service, commitment, and sacrifice of our LGBTQ personnel in and out of uniform.”
He said that one of Lloyd J. Austin III’s first actions as defense secretary was implementing President Joe Biden’s Jan. 25, 2021, executive order to ensure that eligible transgender persons can serve in the military openly and free from discrimination. Biden’s order also provided a path for service members to access gender-affirming medical care.
Kirby added that the DOD under Austin’s leadership is taking “concerted action” to promote and protect LGBTQ human rights around the globe.
Responding to a reporter’s question, Kirby defended diversity and inclusion in the U.S. military from recent political attacks. Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, both Republicans, have labeled such efforts “woke ideology.”
Kirby said protecting the nation requires attracting talented volunteers to serve on — and service — aircrafts, crews and warships, and he said DOD leaders make “no apologies” for ensuring an inclusive workplace.
“If you (meet) the standards and you’re qualified to be in the military,” he said, “we want you to be able to do it free of hate and fear and discrimination.”
Inclusion is a work in progress
For the roughly 16% of active female service members and 5% of male service members who identified in a 2018 DOD survey as lesbian, gay, bisexual or some other sexual orientation, Kirby conceded these efforts are a work in progress. Indicators across several areas bear this out, both for LGBTQ personnel serving now and the estimated 1 million LGBTQ Veterans.
Military sexual assault: For instance, a RAND report released June 1, 2021, found that active duty service members who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual or who did not identify as heterosexual are sexually assaulted at disproportionate rates. Yet DOD rarely examines this issue, the report said.
RAND researchers analyzed 2016 and 2018 data from workplace and gender relations surveys of active duty members. The data showed that lesbian, gay, bisexual or nonidentifying-as-heterosexual service members represented 12% of the active population. However, they were 44% and 43% of all sexually assaulted service members in 2016 and 2018, respectively. (The survey doesn’t ask about transgender identification at all.)
“These statistics demonstrate that assaults on the minority of service members who do not describe themselves as heterosexual constitute almost half of all service members who were sexually assaulted in each of these years,” the authors said in the report. “However, we have seen little focus on sexual assaults against LGB service members in DoD prevention materials, research, or public discussion of sexual assault in the military.”
The report recommended DOD improve data collection to understand sexual assault of LGB service members and develop more inclusive sexual assault prevention strategies and materials.
Compensation and benefits: LGBTQ advocates have long argued that policies such as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” in place from 1994-2011, and the recently reversed Trans Military Ban resulted in many harms, including the wrongful discharge from the military and denial of benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
A commission is needed to study the historic and ongoing impacts of discrimination against LGBTQ service members and Veterans, argued Rep. Mark Takano, the California Democrat who chairs the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. He introduced legislation to establish a panel that would hear testimony from service members and Veterans and their families, advocacy organizations and government agencies and issue remedial recommendations.
“Establishing this commission would help Americans understand the effects of anti-LGBTQ military policies, provide a path forward to rectify the injustices, and help create a welcoming culture for LGBTQ servicemembers and Veterans in the military and at VA,” Takano said.
In February, VA announced a wide-ranging review of services provided to LGBTQ Veterans and employees to ensure equity in delivery of medical and gender-affirmation care and procedures. In announcing this policy review, officials reminded LGBT Veterans that care coordinators are present at every VA facility. They can provide LGBT Veterans with access to primary care services, including hormone treatment and HIV prevention services such as PrEP.
Transgender health care: Another bill introduced in the House would prevent DOD from stationing service members who have transgender dependents in states or countries that prohibit or deny them gender-affirming health care and treatment, according to a statement by Rep. Jimmy Panetta, Democrat of California, lead sponsor of the legislation. At the state level, more than 20 new anti-LGBTQ laws have passed this year, many aimed at transgender people, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
Learn more
Biden’s Pride Month proclamation: https://rly.pt/352sgKp
DOD’s policy on military service by transgender persons: https://rly.pt/2TH9LZq
List of VA programs for Veterans who are LGBTQ: https://www.va.gov/initiatives/recognizing-lgbtq-veterans-during-pride-month.
Panetta’s news release: https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-panetta-introduces-legislation-protect-transgender-military.
Pentagon press briefing transcript from June 1: https://rly.pt/2T6FRgY
RAND’s Sexual Assault of Sexual Minorities in the U.S. Military: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1390-1.html.
Takano’s news release: https://rly.pt/355Wqw5
Department of Defense (DOD) Press Secretary John F. Kirby, speaking to reporters earlier this month, honored the “the service, commitment, and sacrifice of our LGBTQ personnel in and out of uniform.”
He said that one of Lloyd J. Austin III’s first actions as defense secretary was implementing President Joe Biden’s Jan. 25, 2021, executive order to ensure that eligible transgender persons can serve in the military openly and free from discrimination. Biden’s order also provided a path for service members to access gender-affirming medical care.
Kirby added that the DOD under Austin’s leadership is taking “concerted action” to promote and protect LGBTQ human rights around the globe.
Responding to a reporter’s question, Kirby defended diversity and inclusion in the U.S. military from recent political attacks. Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, both Republicans, have labeled such efforts “woke ideology.”
Kirby said protecting the nation requires attracting talented volunteers to serve on — and service — aircrafts, crews and warships, and he said DOD leaders make “no apologies” for ensuring an inclusive workplace.
“If you (meet) the standards and you’re qualified to be in the military,” he said, “we want you to be able to do it free of hate and fear and discrimination.”
Inclusion is a work in progress
For the roughly 16% of active female service members and 5% of male service members who identified in a 2018 DOD survey as lesbian, gay, bisexual or some other sexual orientation, Kirby conceded these efforts are a work in progress. Indicators across several areas bear this out, both for LGBTQ personnel serving now and the estimated 1 million LGBTQ Veterans.
Military sexual assault: For instance, a RAND report released June 1, 2021, found that active duty service members who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual or who did not identify as heterosexual are sexually assaulted at disproportionate rates. Yet DOD rarely examines this issue, the report said.
RAND researchers analyzed 2016 and 2018 data from workplace and gender relations surveys of active duty members. The data showed that lesbian, gay, bisexual or nonidentifying-as-heterosexual service members represented 12% of the active population. However, they were 44% and 43% of all sexually assaulted service members in 2016 and 2018, respectively. (The survey doesn’t ask about transgender identification at all.)
“These statistics demonstrate that assaults on the minority of service members who do not describe themselves as heterosexual constitute almost half of all service members who were sexually assaulted in each of these years,” the authors said in the report. “However, we have seen little focus on sexual assaults against LGB service members in DoD prevention materials, research, or public discussion of sexual assault in the military.”
The report recommended DOD improve data collection to understand sexual assault of LGB service members and develop more inclusive sexual assault prevention strategies and materials.
Compensation and benefits: LGBTQ advocates have long argued that policies such as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” in place from 1994-2011, and the recently reversed Trans Military Ban resulted in many harms, including the wrongful discharge from the military and denial of benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
A commission is needed to study the historic and ongoing impacts of discrimination against LGBTQ service members and Veterans, argued Rep. Mark Takano, the California Democrat who chairs the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. He introduced legislation to establish a panel that would hear testimony from service members and Veterans and their families, advocacy organizations and government agencies and issue remedial recommendations.
“Establishing this commission would help Americans understand the effects of anti-LGBTQ military policies, provide a path forward to rectify the injustices, and help create a welcoming culture for LGBTQ servicemembers and Veterans in the military and at VA,” Takano said.
In February, VA announced a wide-ranging review of services provided to LGBTQ Veterans and employees to ensure equity in delivery of medical and gender-affirmation care and procedures. In announcing this policy review, officials reminded LGBT Veterans that care coordinators are present at every VA facility. They can provide LGBT Veterans with access to primary care services, including hormone treatment and HIV prevention services such as PrEP.
Transgender health care: Another bill introduced in the House would prevent DOD from stationing service members who have transgender dependents in states or countries that prohibit or deny them gender-affirming health care and treatment, according to a statement by Rep. Jimmy Panetta, Democrat of California, lead sponsor of the legislation. At the state level, more than 20 new anti-LGBTQ laws have passed this year, many aimed at transgender people, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
Learn more
Biden’s Pride Month proclamation: https://rly.pt/352sgKp
DOD’s policy on military service by transgender persons: https://rly.pt/2TH9LZq
List of VA programs for Veterans who are LGBTQ: https://www.va.gov/initiatives/recognizing-lgbtq-veterans-during-pride-month.
Panetta’s news release: https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-panetta-introduces-legislation-protect-transgender-military.
Pentagon press briefing transcript from June 1: https://rly.pt/2T6FRgY
RAND’s Sexual Assault of Sexual Minorities in the U.S. Military: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1390-1.html.
Takano’s news release: https://rly.pt/355Wqw5
LGBTQ+
Joe Biden
Policy
Law
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 36
55
55
0
I really don’t care what you are when the shit hits the fan you better fight to save your brother or sister or ill shoot you myself
(55)
(0)
SFC(P) (Join to see)
CPO Arthur Weinberger - Sexual assaults and complaints would go higher. Not to mention a further drop in recruitment, no thanks.
(5)
(0)
Maj Charles Bennett
During my military service these types of members were not called "gays" and were not a welcomed addition to the unit. They brought nothing to the fight that was not already available without controversy. They inherently brought friction to a military unit that was not needed. At least they knew to keep their true identities hidden and they did so. Some finished their enlistments, some didn't. The privilege to serve comes with caveats that were written in blood. Abide by them.
(4)
(0)
SFC Barbara Layman
Maj Charles Bennett - Most important observation
"The privilege to serve comes with caveats that were written in blood. Abide by them."
Thank you, Sir.
"The privilege to serve comes with caveats that were written in blood. Abide by them."
Thank you, Sir.
(1)
(0)
SPC John Hopper
Just the fact you have doubt and need to question should disqualify them.
This is not like somebody who needs glasses, this is somebody who is confused and distracted. I think I will side with God on the man/woman issue.
This is not like somebody who needs glasses, this is somebody who is confused and distracted. I think I will side with God on the man/woman issue.
(0)
(0)
25
25
0
LGBTQRSTUVWXYZ. acknowledging that they are different so we can mandate their inclusion is silly
(25)
(0)
1LT Neal Schwartz
It's just another distraction from the real issues. Notice they never think of promoting something everyone might agree on.
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
SFC James Welch - after 3 sexual assaults my social media is rather limited as is my info. If folks like you don't like it I really don't give a damn.
(2)
(0)
SGT Lorenzo Nieto
The military used to take men and make better men, now they take men and make children out of them, if we are ever attacked from the outside the x military will have to take over.
(2)
(0)
TSgt Dave Beem
Back in the day. I rue the day they came out with BDU's. Anyway, they were actually sought after during WWII and Korea as they made better medics. We all knew they were in our units. But as long as they didn't play grab ass in the shower and did their jobs, the rank and file took a blind eye to it. Plenty of women as well were known to "wear comfortable shoes". But as long as you did your job to the best of your ability, your orientation didn't matter as long as you didn't push it on someone. Same with those religious evangelistic types (which were actually more offensive since we do have a constitutional separation of church and state). I remember one guy who was the commander's pet. He got outed by a gal who asked him out (he was single, never married, no kids). He literally got the creepy crawlies when she snuggled up to him at a movie theater. Funny thing, when that commander PCS'd he somehow managed to get the same assignment and followed him. TSgt too. But even he did his job well. (kissing the commander's behind seemed to be his only job, however, but he was our line badge/security guy and he did that job well.)
Now a transvestite is another matter entirely. Just like guys wearing beards in our military is, in a way. I know that today a beard might be allowed, but I never thought they looked very professional. Having been fighting in far too many "STANS", I just have that mental image of the Jihadi terrorist never being clean shaven. And that it presented a much better image to be clean shaven (at least in garrison where you COULD keep your face scraped).
But us old farts have our preconcieved ideas of what the standard military guy should look like too. With Gen Z, god only knows what a soldier, sailor, airman or coastie, or marine will look like by the time I'm dead and gone.
Anyway, they were always there (the LGBT crowd). You can go back to J Edgar Hoover with that, I imagine. To me, as long as they do their jobs and use the correct bathroom, and don't try to push themselves on me, I could live with it. And as long as the women who want to be in combat can pass the same physical requirements I had to pass (whatever the male version is today), let them come into those combat arms, but they have to meet the same requirement the males do.
Also, I always wondered how the UCMJ treated this mess under Biden. Considering when I was in, sodomy was ANY "UNNATURAL ACT" from your wife giving you a hummer to porking a pig. Adultery was always a crime (but only in the military, your civilian spouse could be a lady of the evening and you had zero recourse as a military member). So did they CHANGE that? Since the military doesn't recognize same sex marriages (that I know of) what do they do about the sodomy charge in the UCMJ?
Now a transvestite is another matter entirely. Just like guys wearing beards in our military is, in a way. I know that today a beard might be allowed, but I never thought they looked very professional. Having been fighting in far too many "STANS", I just have that mental image of the Jihadi terrorist never being clean shaven. And that it presented a much better image to be clean shaven (at least in garrison where you COULD keep your face scraped).
But us old farts have our preconcieved ideas of what the standard military guy should look like too. With Gen Z, god only knows what a soldier, sailor, airman or coastie, or marine will look like by the time I'm dead and gone.
Anyway, they were always there (the LGBT crowd). You can go back to J Edgar Hoover with that, I imagine. To me, as long as they do their jobs and use the correct bathroom, and don't try to push themselves on me, I could live with it. And as long as the women who want to be in combat can pass the same physical requirements I had to pass (whatever the male version is today), let them come into those combat arms, but they have to meet the same requirement the males do.
Also, I always wondered how the UCMJ treated this mess under Biden. Considering when I was in, sodomy was ANY "UNNATURAL ACT" from your wife giving you a hummer to porking a pig. Adultery was always a crime (but only in the military, your civilian spouse could be a lady of the evening and you had zero recourse as a military member). So did they CHANGE that? Since the military doesn't recognize same sex marriages (that I know of) what do they do about the sodomy charge in the UCMJ?
(0)
(0)
17
17
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google