Royal United Services Institute’s Post

Growth in the number of women, LGBTQ+ and racial and ethnic minority individuals serving in the military has created an increasingly diverse veteran population. This diversity has created challenges for the Department of Veterans Affairs—specifically, challenges to ensure equity in access to health care, services and benefits for all the veterans it serves. In 2024, DAV will push the VA to do the following: 1. Provide enhanced research and data collection needed for program improvement 2. Ensure diverse representation and culturally sensitive programming 3. Ensure access to quality clinical services wherever care is received 4. Improve environment of care Learn more about DAV’s critical policy goals at http://dav.la/CPG2024.

At Modern Military, we know our community is rattled by today's flurry of reporting about a potential impending ban on transgender service. This Military.com com article is just one of many you might have come across: https://lnkd.in/eAh97HZK. We want to reassure everyone that there is not yet any public evidence, policy, or decision from the incoming administration. At this point, this is speculative, and nothing is certain or definitive. That said, we are concerned that another ban remains a possibility, and we deeply understand the fear and uncertainty this incites for so many service members and their loved ones. In the mean time, please read our open letter that covers ways the LGBTQ+ community can prepare in the coming months: https://lnkd.in/e6yb8G3J. We will keep our community updated with any new developments. 

US Overview – August 2024 ▪ United States: The Democratic National Convention in Chicago coincided with a surge in demonstrations, including support for reproductive, labor, and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as criticism of the Democratic Party’s policies on Palestine and Israel. ▪ Radical groups: Patriot Front continues to dominate radical group activity in the US, with nearly a third of all militia and far-right demonstrations in August involving this white supremacist group. Explore the full regional overview for detailed insights into these key trends and their broader implications: https://lnkd.in/e6QwvDdJ

The wealthy White supremacist male majority has spoken once again. Their money convinced a majority of Americans who have internalized the elements of White supremacist ideology in part or in whole. Over the next four years we will observe all of those elements being expressed in the targeting of African Americans, Latinxs, Muslims, indigenous peoples, migrants, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women and low-income Whites. Now is a time to organize and protect these groups.

Many of us are reeling as we process election results that are devastating for so many in our communities and for our country. But here's what we know: Together, we are powerful, and we aren’t going anywhere. GLAD Law has fought and won against tough odds for nearly 50 years. When the last Trump administration banned transgender military service members, we fought back – and won. When states have attacked LGBTQ+ youth and families, we’ve met that challenge head-on in the courts. What comes next will require fighting on every front – from the courts and state legislatures, to countering the disinformation targeting our communities and ensuring LGBTQ+ people and people with HIV have the information they need to protect and exercise their rights. We won’t back down. Our commitment to ensuring LGBTQ+ people and our families are recognized, welcomed and protected throughout our lives has never been stronger – and neither has our resolve to find new ways forward. Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/eXck5Tbk

Modern Military is calling on our community! Your voice is needed. We are actively seeking written and video testimonials addressing critical issues impacting LGBTQ+ service members and their families: ✨Opposing the NDAA rider prohibiting healthcare for trans youth: Share how this provision would harm your military family or loved ones. ✨Ensuring administration nominees defend our communities: Explain how specific nominees could negatively impact you, your career, or your family. ✨Opposing a ban on trans troops: Share your personal journey and the potential impact of a ban on the armed forces. Your story is essential. It can help: ✨Educate policymakers on the real-world consequences of these issues. ✨Influence key decision-makers to champion policies that promote inclusion and equality. ✨Inspire action among others within the LGBTQ+ military community. Together, we can advocate for a more inclusive and secure future for all service members and their families. #shareyourstory #advocate #lgbtq #ndaa https://loom.ly/-MJZyUo

2024 is a hugely important year for our community. Recently, here in the UK with constant attacks on our community, from social perceptions down to ridiculous new guidelines. So we want you to be loud and be proud! You're The Voice, is our theme for 2024. It is time for us to stand up and be counted and be heard. A General Election is happening later this year and we have a chance to make a difference and we want to empower you, to give you a voice. Pride was born from protest and that's what we need to do this year with our marches, and what better year to do it, in the year Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) celebrates its 40th anniversary, formed during the Miners Strikes of 1984, which many forget had a huge impact on LGBT rights in the UK. “You're The Voice” is our way to encourage and empower you to protest, to make it clear to those asking for our vote that LGBTQ+ people aren’t to be forgotten! We still have a fight on our hands, we still have to speak up, and we have the ability to change the course of our political future. In the words of John Farnham: "You're The Voice, try and understand it. Make a noise and make it clear. We're not going to live in silence, we're not going to live with fear!" #PrideInGloucestershire #CelebrateCampaignConnect #YoureTheVoice

Philip Edward Jones reveals how LGBT Americans bring a distinctive liberal perspective to politics and policy. Compared to straight and cisgender individuals, they hold unique political predispositions, electoral choices, and views on various policy issues. Explore the findings here: https://bit.ly/3RckDJY

September 15th is International Day of Democracy! Democracy is, at its core, the idea that every person counts and has an equal say in the governance of the nation. But today there are relentless efforts to make it harder for eligible citizens to register to vote, cast a ballot, and have their ballots counted. Beyond the right to vote, politicians consistently advocate for or implement policies of exclusion, isolation, and marginalization, especially towards communities of color, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and vulnerable populations. All of this undermines the values of our democracy by explicitly or implicitly asserting that some people are not fully included in our shared community. Today we recognize it is more important than ever to continue the work that remains in upholding civil liberties for all.

🚨 New magazine alert 🚨 This year's final issue of Modern Military magazine is live and double the usual size! It focuses on faith and spirituality — and how those concepts can look different for the LGBTQ+ and/or military communities. Read now for impactful stories and expert insight on topics like religious trauma, affirming chaplains, discrimination laws, and reconciling spirituality and LGBTQ+ identity: https://loom.ly/OiFhjSw #lgbtqmilitary, #religioustrauma, #queerfaith #modernmilitary