U.S. House Members from Arkansas Fight Against VA's Pride Flag Policy

WASHINGTON — Arkansas' U.S. House representatives want the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove LGBTQ+ pride flags from its facilities because they advocate a political viewpoint. On Tuesday, Representatives Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack, and Bruce Westerman of Alabama joined 27 other House Republican critics of the VA's policy in a letter.

Members of Congress stated, "Veterans who have served our country deserve the opportunity to access a facility that is free from prejudice and political posturing." The brave men and women who served their nation without regard to party affiliation and the VA that cares for them and provides the benefits they've earned should do the same.

Vets deserve to enter VA facilities that are free from political posturing.

Read the letter CHM @RepBost and 30 House Republicans sent to VA on the decision to violate their own policy + permit social movement flags, like the Pride flag to be flown in place of the American flag. pic.twitter.com/KZpYkLxos2

— House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (@HouseVetAffairs) June 6, 2023

Denis McDonough, who has served as VA Secretary since February 2021, has allowed pride flags to be flown at VA institutions in June to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Last week, Vice President Joe Biden issued a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month, noting the increase in anti-LGBTQ initiatives.

The VA's media relations director Susan Carter stated, "It is the VA's objective to provide LGBTQ+ veterans -- and all veterans -- with the world-class treatment and benefits they deserve in a safe, caring, and inclusive environment."

Several members of the House Coalition have voiced their displeasure with the widespread adoption of the pride flag "at the expense of other traditional flags." Representatives Hill and Womack cited the American flag, state flags, and the prisoner of war/missing-in-action flag as examples of flags suitable to fly as a show of solidarity and freedom.

The lawmakers mentioned the department's ban on flags that advocate for certain ideologies and points of view at VA graves. The lack of flags commemorating specified months at VA hospitals was also discussed.

George Hardardt, a resident of Hot Springs Village, contacted VA officials in Arkansas and Washington, DC, to voice his opposition to flying the pride flag at VA facilities. Retired Marine Corporal Hardardt said the Biden administration was making a political statement by utilizing the flag to promote LGBTQ+ concerns.

The flag is "a special interest and politically perceived flag," as Representative Westerman said in a call to Secretary McDonough to express his disappointment. He plans to back legislation that would make it illegal for VA hospitals to display pride flags in the future.

I spoke directly to @SecVetAffairs on Friday and expressed my disappointment in his decision to encourage any special interest and politically perceived flag to be flown alongside the American flag.

The VA's job is to serve our nation's veterans, not push a political agenda.???

— Rep. Bruce Westerman (@RepWesterman) June 6, 2023

Former Army explosive ordnance disposal technician and current member of Congress, Crawford called the VA's policy "particularly problematic," especially when applied to medical institutions. He stressed the need for non-partisanship in government agencies.

The number of LGBTQ+ veterans in the United States military is estimated to be over 1 million by the Department of Veterans Affairs. LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinators have been appointed in all VA healthcare systems as part of the agency's efforts to guarantee that all veterans and their families are treated fairly.

In defense of LGBTQ+ service members, Danny Ingram, a veteran, and former Army soldier who is now the national president emeritus of American Veterans for Equal Rights, came out. Since he enrolled when openly LGBTQ people were prohibited from serving in the military, Ingram fought for advocated for policy changes and saw "don't ask, don't tell" overturned.

Happy Pride to LGBTQ+ Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors! Your service, your sacrifice – even in the face of discrimination – will never be forgotten.

Proud to fly the Pride flag over VA, and proud to serve you each and every day. pic.twitter.com/ISX6wdfV5p

— Secretary Denis McDonough (@SecVetAffairs) June 2, 2023

Pride flags at VA hospitals are not a political statement to Ingram and her husband but rather a sign of respect for individuals subjected to discriminatory practices in the past.

The LGBTQ+ advocacy group, the Human Rights Campaign, declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans in response to legislation targeting gender-affirming medical treatment and LGBTQ+ issues. They help LGBTQ+ people move to states with supportive laws.

The VA has notified the House coalition in a letter and will respond directly to the legislator.

Source Link:

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jun/08/arkansas-us-house-members-push-against-va-pride/