New Delhi, June 17 -- The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued an internal directive instructing health facilities to remove gender identity-based initiatives and eliminate LGBTQ+ specific designations within its care system.

The June 12 memorandum, obtained by The Advocate, signed by Veterans Health Administration Under Secretary for Health John J. Bartrum, orders nationwide compliance with federal executive directives that restrict diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and limit references to gender identity in government operations.

The memo requires VA facilities to:

-Eliminate all DEI and DEIA programmes

-End gender identity-based and "gender ideology" initiatives

-Remove references to LGBTQ+ identity in pr...