News Item

GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL VETERANS OF AMERICA CHANGES NAME, BECOMES ALL-INCLUSIVE


On (date) the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Veterans of America (GLBVA) changed their name to the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) to fully embraceall American Veterans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender expression. The National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC) sees this as a bold and positive move, and praises the organization's members for voting on such a change.

"As it was, our name (GLBVA) it was not inclusive of transgender/transexual, two-spirit and heterosexual members," said Jim Donovan, President of AVER.   "We feel it was time to change our name to a fully inclusive name, which at the same time was not a cumbersome alphabet soup."

"The membership chose 'American Veterans for Equal Rights,'" finished Donovan, "as a descriptive, simple, yet fully inclusive name which leaves no question as to our goals and ideals."

"As a former member of GLBVA, I am beaming with pride to hear about this change," remarked Monica Helms, Chair of NTAC's Veteran's Affairs Committee. "Not only does the new name reflect the desire of their members to show full inclusion, but the willingness of the organization to work on a broader scope of issues. I plan on renewing my membership, and urge all transgender veterans to join AVER."

Robyn Walters, Vice-Chair of NTAC's VA Committee say, "Changing from GLBVA to AVER brings more than a new name to this important veterans organization. The AVER constitution calls for recognition of the right to live free open lives within the American society, regardless of -- among other things -- gender, gender identification, or sexual orientation. This brings a new awareness to the AVER chapters and membership and to those with whom the organization interacts that transgender and intersex veterans deserve and demand the same rights as other Americans."

Janice Josephine Carney, life member of DAV, VFW, Transgender Veterans Liaison for New England GLBT Veterans and member of the NTAC VA Committee was quoted as saying, "I thank the membership of the GLBVA for taking this step of changing their name. I strongly feel it is a good start, in showing that transgender veterans are welcomed members."

NTAC wishes AVER well in their future ventures and hopes that this new direction will give our two organizations a chance to work together in the future. Issues that face GLBT veterans and active duty service members are intertwined. With AVER new direction and NTAC's VA Committee, we hope that we can work together for a better future for all those who serve or have served our country in the military.


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NTAC, the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition, is a §501(c)(4) political advocacy coalition working to establish and maintain the right of all
transgendered, intersexed, and gender-variant people to live and work without fear of violence or discrimination.