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Happy Friday, folks! Audience Editor Edgar Ramirez here, back in your inbox with the latest from Christopher Wiggins and the dismantling of the LGBTQ+ veterans care network.
Trying to end this week on a positive note, our update comes with a bit of good news from Rep. Mark Takano, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, pledging to act on the matter.
"As the lead Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I will do everything I can to defend every veteran’s access to culturally competent care, including LGBTQ+ veterans," the gay California congressman, who also chairs the Congressional Equality Caucus, told Wiggins in a statement. Rep. Takano argues the Trump administration's "latest cruel attack" fits a broader pattern of policies that, in his view, have weakened the Department of Veterans Affairs and narrowed access to care.
The Advocate contacted Pete Kasperowicz, the VA’s assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs, on Wednesday for comment, but the department had not responded (surprised?). Perhaps Rep. Takano will have better luck. If so, you can count on us on letting you know as soon as we hear of anything.
Stay safe and have a great weekend!
Top House Veterans Affairs leader pledges action after Trump ends LGBTQ+ care network for those who served
Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images
Blessed be our rights: 20 American Christian churches, ranked on LGBTQ+ support
Hiram Rios/Shutterstock ‘Proud transphobe’ Nancy Mace targets RuPaul & Congressional Black Caucus on her way out of Congress
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Opinion: Richard Gere told the truth about USAID. Trump’s bully answered like a schoolyard bigot
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Powerful Democratic think tank's reset on transgender rights alarms advocates
Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images
Opinion: Donald Trump tried to insult Jon Ossoff with Pee-wee Herman. The joke is on him
SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images
‘Drag Race’ stars threaten to ‘sue’ Nancy Mace over attack on drag queens
Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Paramount+
