Pride flag displayed at Arkansas Veteran Affairs buildings dividing veterans

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Veterans receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals are seeing another flag flown under the stars and stripes, and it is not happening without controversy.

The pride flag is on display as part of a department policy. The spectrum, or rainbow, of reactions outside the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in central Arkansas ranges from those who want to see it fly, taken down or don’t care.

U.S. House Rep. Bruce Westerman says his office has received multiple complaints from veterans upset about “a political message.”

It drove him to pass House Resolution 8580 with specific language that would withhold funding from VA hospitals that fly the pride flag.

“When my veterans get upset. I get upset. It [the VA] should always be apolitical. It’s not a place to voice your political moves,” Westerman said.

The resolution called the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act in 2025 was also controversial with 209 yes votes to 197 no votes. It must still pass the Senate and be signed by President Joe Biden before it would become law.

Morgan Erhy-Taylor and Steven Horton are veterans who believe flags are meant to unite people. It is the pride flag’s placement that has them divided.

“These people are on the front lines, in planes, and on ships defending freedom. Why not honor that,” Erhy-Tayor said.

“As a veteran, I sort of take it to heart that that’s not the right thing to do,” Horton stated.

Erhy-Taylor transitioned to female after a decade of Army service in the 1990s. She says the hardest battle she fought was not part of any war but accepting her identity. She wishes it were not a fight for others to accept those who identify like her now.

“We contribute to this community. We’re no threat to anyone, and we’re just tired of being othered and turned into some kind of bogeyman,” Erhy-Taylor said.

Steven Horton served in the Navy before injuries ended his military career. He says he fought for the freedom of others to live how they wish but believes representing one group diminishes how the U.S. flag is supposed to represent everyone.

“Flying the other flags and stuff, it’s just not right, you’re taking away from the American flag,” Horton said.

Westerman said he has spoken directly to VA Secretary McDonough and sent oversight letters to the VA on the flag issues. KARK News also asked Veterans Affairs about the policy.

Terrence Hayes, VA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, sent this statement in response:

“VA facilities fly the Pride flag – which was created by an Army Veteran – as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of LGBTQ+ Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. Secretary McDonough authorized the flying of the Pride flag at VA facilities for the duration of Pride Month, as he has done in previous years. VA continues to fly the American flag and POW flag in their rightful places at all facilities, and no flags are moved or taken down for the PRIDE flag to be flown.

Throughout Pride Month, we recognize the contributions of the more than one million LGBTQ+ Veterans in this Nation, and their families, caregivers, and survivors. It is our mission at VA to provide these Veterans — and all Veterans — with the world-class care and benefits they deserve in a safe, caring, and welcoming environment.”

H.R. 8580 has over 400 sections. Flags are addressed in Section 257. Section 256 would prevent VA funds from going toward gender-affirming care. Section 416 has specific language to protect those who believe marriage is between a man and woman from discrimination.

Erhy-Taylor expressed that it gives partiality to one group while attempting to erase another.

“We just want to be understood and accepted. You don’t have to like it, but just accept that we’re real,” she said.

Westerman does not see it that way.

“It’s just saying you can’t discriminate against one group over another. It’s not singling any group out,” he explained.

Westerman also says gender-affirming care is selective and should not be the responsibility of taxpayers.

Erhy-Taylor said her procedure saved her from spiraling depression.

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