1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

As the trans daughter of an emergency pediatrician in the Syracuse area, I am devastated by the Syracuse VA Medical Center's removal of LGBTQ+ affirming signage and resources. This erasure of identity hits particularly close to home given the tragic death of a veteran by suicide at the top of the facility's parking garage last month. Stripping away representations of the LGBTQ+ community sends a deeply harmful message of exclusion and lack of acceptance to an already vulnerable population. I implore you to take immediate state-level action to pressure the VA to reinstate all inclusive materials, self-identification options, and an environment of affirmation for LGBTQ+ veterans. These courageous individuals have sacrificed for our nation – they deserve comprehensive care that recognizes and embraces their authentic selves without judgement or barriers. As an ally and loved one, I cannot sit idly by as our local VA propagates the discrimination and alienation that enables such devastating outcomes. Please fight to stop this injustice and ensure all New York veterans can access VA services with their intrinsic dignity intact.