Outserve-SLDN dismayed that White House VA listening session did not include veteran's advocates

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) February 2, 2017 – OutServe-SLDN issued the following statement today in response to the news, first reported by the MilitaryTimes, that President Trump held a listening session on the VA but did not include veteran's advocates. The statement may be attributed to OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Matt Thorn.

"Outserve-SLDN was not aware of this meeting until it was mentioned in the press. We are, dismayed, concerned and perplexed that the administration would not invite a broad spectrum of veteran's advocates like OutServe-SLDN or the American Legion or Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, who work day in and day out with veterans, to discuss the concerns and issues with and related to the Veteran's Affairs Department. In order to fix the complicated system, that is the Veteran's Affairs Department, it is critical to have the experts and advocates who work in the space at the table. We will only be successful in caring for and providing vital services to the millions of veterans in this country if we work collaboratively and in tandem. It is also perplexing that this meeting would be held without the confirmed Secretary of Veteran's Affairs Dr. Richard Shulkin who will be tasked with managing and executing any reforms and implementations moving forward. We hope that future meetings are more inclusive and present a diversity of advocates who work with our nation's veterans each and every day."

OutServe-SLDN (OS-SLDN) is the largest non-profit, legal services, advocacy and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. With more than fifty chapters and 60,000 subscribers around the world, OS-SLDN supports a professional network of LGBT military personnel and strives to create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.