Jesse Brown VAMC raises Pride Flag

This year’s theme is “We all have a seat at the table, which underscores the necessity of including all employees, including LGBTQ+ employees in every facet of the VA.

Pride Month is an annual celebration of the many contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community to history, society, and cultures worldwide, according to history.com. In most places, Pride is celebrated throughout the month of June each year in commemoration of its establishment in the Stonewall Riots of June 1969.

Prior to the flag being raised, Ryan Landi, Jesse Brown’s Acting Associate Medical Center Director spoke to the event attendees. “Here at Jesse Brown, we celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ+ Veterans and our LGBTQ+ employees,” said Landi. “Throughout June, we recognize the contributions of the more than 1 million LGBTQ+ Veterans in this nation. We thank each one of them — and every person who has donned the uniform — for their service and sacrifices,” stated Landi.

Pride Month is a time for all openly and proudly recognize all the amazing contributions of individuals with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and related identities throughout the country’s history.

Landi added that the month also recognizes the nearly 8% of VA employees who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and the thousands of employees who identify as transgender.

He pointed out that Jesse Brown continues to focus on removing obstacles and reducing the health inequities that LGBTQ+ Veterans have faced for far too long. VA serves all who have served.

“We have worked to make our culture the most inclusive that it can be,” Landi said. “This involves, of course, welcoming Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors of all sexual orientations and genders. “Creating and maintaining a safe and sensitive environment is something we continue to emphasize. Let me be clear: LGBTQ+ individuals are welcome here at Jesse Brown.