---

 [ LGBTQ ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=380)

#  House Republicans Are Stuffing A Veterans Appropriations Bill Full Of Anti-LGBTQ+ Measures

June 15 2023

Written by Alex Bollinger.

ANTI-GAY MEASURES - Out Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) is sounding the alarm on how Republicans added a plethora of anti-LGBTQ+ measures during a markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill on Tuesday.

He said that his GOP colleagues adopted an amendment “to deny access to medically-necessary care to transgender veterans, prohibit pride flags from being flown at VA facilities, and even allow discrimination against LGBTQ+ people” as the bill was being discussed in the House Appropriations Committee this week.

“Most of the other provisions in this amendment have very little to do with a MilCon bill,” he said during the committee meeting, and are instead “about abortion and gender-affirming care, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and apparently the fear of some cloth, banning pride flags at our veterans’ facilities across the country.”

The Appropriations Committee’s website lists an adopted amendment to the bill from Rep. John Carter (R-TX) that “prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training and implementation, prohibits funding for hormone therapies or surgeries for gender-affirming care, protects Americans against religious discrimination; and allows only certain flags to be flown over VA facilities.”

“Religious discrimination” is often used as a euphemism for allowing health care providers to deny care to LGBTQ+ people, as well as to deny reproductive health care.

The amendment also “prevents federal funding for abortions except in cases of incest, rape, or life of the mother; blocks further implementation of the Department of Veteran Affairs’ Interim Final Rule on abortion.”

“We should ensure that we don’t use veterans for political purposes,” Carter said in his opening remarks for the markup. “They are far too important to our country to do that.”

It was adopted by a 34-27 vote in committee.

“There are one million gay and lesbian veterans and more than 130,000 transgender veterans. LGBTQ+ veterans have served our country with honor, but today, Republicans demonstrated they have no interest in honoring LGBTQ+ veterans’ service,” [Pocan told the *Washington Blade*](https://www.losangelesblade.com/2023/06/13/rep-pocan-condemns-gops-anti-lgbtq-markup-of-fiscal-bill/), adding that “Republicans are hell-bent on attacking the LGBTQ+ community.”

The bill still has steps to go through before becoming law, including passage in the Democratic-controlled Senate and President Joe Biden’s signature. Biden has been supportive of LGBTQ+ people serving openly in the military, lifting the ban on transgender servicemembers at the beginning of his term in office.

*(Alex Bollinger has been working in LGBTQ media for over a decade and has a Masters degree from the Paris School of Economics. He lives in Paris with his partner. Follow @alexpbollinger on Twitter. This article was first published in LGBTQ Nation.)*

[![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png)](https://www.ladwp.com/residential-services/programs-and-rebates-residential/electric-vehicles)

###  Exploring LA

With Nick Cabot Rodriguez

[![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental2%208-11-26.png)](https://www.medentalspa.com/)

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

[![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/candidates%20ad%202026.png)](mailto:nantoni@mindspring.com)

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays

 Last Name

 [ ![Dogwatch Banner](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/dogwatch2.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/80 "DogWatch Promo 2 - Home - HB1-1")

 [ ![Your Free DIY Lawn-To-Garden Resource](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/LADWP_LEAP_300x250.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/88 "LA DWP - Home - HB1-1 (LEAP)")

 [ ![Neighborhood Council Map](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/nc-map-graphic.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/89 "Home - Neighborhood Council Map - HB1-1")

 [ ![Neighborhood Council Meetings Here](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/NewsPromos/nc-meeting%20banner.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/90 "Home - Neighborhood Council Meetings Here - HB1-1")

 #HB1-1

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

[![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/something%20you%20should%20know2.jpg)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/podcasts)

 [ ![Cheap Gas](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/cheap-gas2-10-24.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/96 "Home - Cheap Gas - HB1-2")

 #HB1-2

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a9/070g-a9407aaa.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

### [They Said It Made No Sense. Then They Voted Yes.](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - Sacramento has streamlined housing approvals so aggressively that residents rarely get a heari…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/20/070h-20f29015.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

### [Trump World. From Assassination Abroad to Chaos at Home](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - We’re at a moment when all sorts of political questions are coming to a head. And if that old phrase…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/c7/070k-c75fbf7a.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33276:karen-bass-just-sent-l-a-businesses-a-dangerous-message-follow-the-rules-or-dont&catid=312)

### [Karen Bass Just Sent L.A. Businesses a Dangerous Message: Follow the Rules or Don’t](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33276:karen-bass-just-sent-l-a-businesses-a-dangerous-message-follow-the-rules-or-dont&catid=312)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Street vendors deserve a realistic path to legalization. But when City Hall weakens enforcement while…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/7d/070j-7dd1c06c.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33280:vote-no-on-the-highly-regressive-10-3-4-sales-tax&catid=12)

### [Vote NO on the Highly Regressive 10¾% Sales Tax](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33280:vote-no-on-the-highly-regressive-10-3-4-sales-tax&catid=12)

LA WATCHDOG – Shall an ordinance providing funding for the Los Angeles Fire Department, including for hiring firefighte…

---

##  [ LGBTQ ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=380)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071e2.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33296:34-years-after-camp-laurel-began-for-kids-with-hiv-its-first-campers-return-with-children-of-their-own&catid=380)### [34 Years After Camp Laurel Began for Kids With HIV, Its First Campers Return With Children of Their Own](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33296:34-years-after-camp-laurel-began-for-kids-with-hiv-its-first-campers-return-with-children-of-their-own&catid=380)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2026/025h.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32477:attacks-on-transgender-women-are-part-of-a-larger-maga-agenda&catid=380)### [Attacks on Transgender Women Are Part of a Larger MAGA Agenda](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32477:attacks-on-transgender-women-are-part-of-a-larger-maga-agenda&catid=380)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Feb-2026/013r.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32267:pride-flag-returns-to-stonewall-as-new-york-officials-defy-federal-directive&catid=380)### [Pride Flag Returns to Stonewall as New York Officials Defy Federal Directive](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32267:pride-flag-returns-to-stonewall-as-new-york-officials-defy-federal-directive&catid=380)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Feb-2026/012f.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32245:california-lgbtq-community-still-worried-for-transgender-youth&catid=380)### [California LGBTQ Community Still Worried For Transgender Youth](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32245:california-lgbtq-community-still-worried-for-transgender-youth&catid=380)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2025/019a.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30485:california-hotels-and-cafes-remain-friendlier-to-lgbtq-community&catid=380)### [California Hotels And Cafes Remain Friendlier To LGBTQ+ Community](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30485:california-hotels-and-cafes-remain-friendlier-to-lgbtq-community&catid=380)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>