Republican lawmakers are demanding that Veterans Affairs leaders stop allowing LGBT Pride flags to be flown at department buildings this month, calling it political posturing that could discourage some veterans from seeking care.
But the department’s top spokesman said there are no plans to pull down the flags, insisting they represent “a symbol of VA’s commitment to inclusion” which will help broaden the department’s outreach efforts.<
The showdown is the latest chapter in the ongoing fight between conservative lawmakers and President Joe Biden’s administration over diversity and inclusion efforts, a likely key friction point in next year’s presidential and congressional elections.
2022:
Last June, I raised the Pride Flag at VA Central Office in Washington, D.C. This year, I authorized all VA-owned facilities to fly it for up to 30 days in June #Pride2022
Learn how VA is creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ Veterans at https://t.co/8ilcN7q03y pic.twitter.com/EtLGcQnvXZ
— Secretary Denis McDonough (@SecVetAffairs) June 1, 2022
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2023:
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
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Sent from a follwer: Mpls @DeptVetAffairs VA Hospital.
No service branch flags. pic.twitter.com/TdSYquVyko
— MN Up North Lake Guy (@MNUpNorthLakeG1) June 2, 2023
But in a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough this week, the group of Republican lawmakers said they want the pro-LGBT symbols removed immediately, calling them political statements that some veterans may find offensive.
“Veterans who have served our country deserve to enter a facility that is free from discrimination and political posturing,” they wrote, casting the pride flags as political statements. “These men and women were apolitical when they served our country, and we should strive to provide them with an apolitical VA when they seek the care, benefits, and services that they have earned.” . . . . (read more on Military Times)
Pride Flag Squeezes POW/MIA Flag Off City Flagpole, Causing Flap With Some Veterans (Military.com, 11 June 23)
June 6, 2023
The Honorable Denis R. McDonough
Secretary
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
Dear Mr. Secretary:
It has come to our attention that in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation entitled, “A Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month, 20231,” signed by President Biden on May 31, 2023, that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities have been authorized to display Pride flags during the month of June.
While we join many in questioning whether the display of these flags at VA facilities is an appropriate use of taxpayer funding, we write to you today to express our concern about the way in which the flag is being displayed, and how the display of this flag impacts other symbols of our nation and the commitment we have made to our veterans.
Specifically, we are concerned that Pride flags are being flown and displayed at the expense of other traditional flags at VA facilities2, such as the American flag, whose Stars and Stripes represent all Americans.
VA’s policy3 appropriately states no flag may be displayed on VA cemetery property “as a means for political activity or to promote any particular viewpoint or ideology.”
I am sure you would agree with us that the Pride flag is viewed by many, including numerous veterans our offices have engaged with as a political symbol reflective of a social movement and represents only one group of Americans.
As your policy makes clear, the Pride flag should never replace an American flag, a flag that honors the service of one of the branches of our Armed Forces, a flag representing the seal of the Department, or the POW/MIA recognition flag.
We are unaware of any other flags replacing these traditional military service-related flags at VA facilities for other important designated months, like Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, or Hispanic Heritage Month in September.
Veterans who have served our country deserve to enter a facility that is free from discrimination and political posturing.
These men and women were apolitical when they served our country, and we should strive to provide them with an apolitical VA when they seek the care, benefits, and services that they have earned.
By close of business on June 16, 2023, please provide us with an explanation for how VA intends to ensure none of its facilities violate its own policy which does not allow flags promoting politics, or any particular viewpoint or ideology.
Please also provide your assurances, in writing, that any Pride flag that has replaced an aforementioned traditional flag has been removed and the traditional flag has been placed in its proper position.
We appreciate your prompt attention and assistance with this matter.
1 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/05/31/a-proclamation-on-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer-and-intersex-pride-month-2023/
2 https://www.wlox.com/2023/06/02/congressman-ezell-asks-va-leaders-remove-rainbow-flag-display/
3 National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Directive 3220, “Flag Displays in National Cemeteries.”
Sincerely, Members of Congress
MIKE BOST. Chairman, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
ELISE STEFANIK, Chairwoman, House Republican Conference
BRUCE WESTERMAN, Chairman, House Committee on Natural Resources
MICHAEL GUEST, Chairman, House Committee on Ethics
MATTHEW M. ROSENDALE, SR.
MORGAN LUTTRELL
MARIANETTE MILLER-MEEKS, M.D.
ELI CRANE
KEITH SELF
DERRICK VAN ORDEN
JEN KIGGANS
JACK BERGMAN
MIKE COLLINS
DEBBIE LESKO
AARON BEAN
NEAL P. DUNN, M.D.
W. GREGORY STEUBE
JEFF DUNCAN
ANTHONY D’ ESPOSITO
BILL HUIZENGA
JIM BANKS
LAUREN BOEBERT
RICK CRAWFORD
RON ESTES
ANNA PAULINA LUNA
FRENCH HILL
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE
BARRY LOUDERMILK
TROY BALDERSON
STEVE WOMACK
MIKE EZELL
Cc: The Honorable Mark Takano, Ranking Member
— PH_VET (@Jbr_Films) June 2, 2023
Other comments on the Secretary’s tweet:
“I spent 20 years of my life defending the stars and stripes. The pride flag is just a political symbol. It has no basis to be flown with the US flag.”
“Take the bottom flag down if you want to honor veterans sir. This Vietnam veteran didn’t spend time in a war zone for that flag!”
“Thank goodness not many follow you! What an embarrassment to our country. VA can support them without the flag! Such virtue signaling. You are pathetic!!”
“I served with people from all backgrounds and beliefs and I love all of my service members. However, we collectively served only one flag. That is not the place to fly that flag.”
“So are we going to give allegiance to BLM flags too? People can be what they want, but I did not pledge allegiance to a pride flag.”
“What an embarrassment the VA has become.”
“WE THE PEOPLE, REFUSE THE SEXUAL INDOCTRINATION.”
“Why do they need their own flag is the American flag not good enough?”
“Despicable virtue signaling. Take it down. It offends THE MAJORITY of Veterans.”
“You and this virtue signaling are disgusting. There is ONE national flag and that is the Stars & Stripes. That is the only flag that should ever fly at any national institute or agency.”
“And how does this serve our veterans? Oh yeah, it doesn’t! You should be removed from office and replaced with someone who will fight for the vets, not an agenda.”
“Why the Pride flag? Why not support other religions, cause that’s what it is. Put up a Christian flag. Or a Muslim flag. Or a flag that promotes pedophilia or bestiality as long as we’re celebrating all the ways people like to have sex. Ur pandering for votes…illegally.”
“You are a disgrace Secretary McDonough to the position and office you hold…shame on you. How dare you fly that flag next to the POW and American flags. Patriots didn’t die so that you could force an agenda on the citizenry.”
“Military’s job is to prepare for war not stroke people’s sexual proclivities.”
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