LGBTQIA+ veterans are still eligible for VA care. But the system built to help them use it is being taken apart. New ONS analysis on what the record actually shows and what to do next. 🧵 1/5

The Future of LGBTQIA+ Health Care at the Department of Veterans Affairs

Merging activism and education in the LGBTQIA+ security professional space.

outinnationalsecurity.org

The House rejected an effort to write the trans military ban into law, while adopting provisions affecting TRICARE and DoD schools. Our new brief explains what passed, what failed, and what comes next. www.outinnationalsecurity.org/2026/07/23/t...

We're following today's developments in the litigation challenging the transgender military ban. We'll continue tracking the implications for military readiness, personnel policy, and Congress.

Chris Geidner@chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 2w ago

BREAKING: Federal judge questions Hegseth's "High-T" military plan in light of Trump's anti-trans ban. Judge Ana Reyes wants to know "the Department’s basis for treating trans men and other service members differently." New, at Law Dork:

The House Rules Committee has taken an important procedural step on the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Several amendments affecting LGBTQ servicemembers, military families, and Department of Defense schools are now positioned for House floor consideration. A thread. 🧵

ONS Contributor Major General Tammy Smith (Ret.) reflects on the 251st birthday of the U.S. Army and her 35 years of service: "The security of our nation should always be a higher priority than the insecurity of our prejudices"

Our CEO Luke quoted in a great @slate.com piece on the team building tradition of the Herndon Climb for cadets of the U.S. Naval Academy. slate.com/news-and-pol...

It’s the Oddest, Dirtiest Military Tradition. Pete Hegseth Would Hate It. It’s Perfect.

Miraculously, it hasn’t been canceled or banned or removed for being “too woke.”

slate.com

REMINDER: Come to the FIRST ONS Pride event in NYC! Have a cocktail, meet new friends in the public service sector, and learn about ONS's exciting work in NYC and Albany. Guests and allies are welcome! Tomorrow, Thursday, Jun 11 6:00pm – 9:00pm RSVP for full location: partiful.com/e/Z8Tel7Y80S...

RSVP to Good Work and Good Company - Pride 2026 | Partiful

Come as you are to the FIRST ONS Pride event in New York City! Enjoy drinks and a festive atmosphere, meet new friends in the public service sector, and learn about the work ONS has been doing in NYC ...

partiful.com

Proud to join @asmchrisward.bsky.social in support of CA Assembly Bill 1775. This bold legislation supports service members and veterans impacted by President Trump’s policy banning transgender individuals from military service. California is stepping up!

Get your applications in today by midnight! Encourage rising stars in your network to apply for ONS's flagship leadership development programs. Link below.

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die" - Thomas Campbell

Our Co-Founder Luke and Linda Thomas Greenfield, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, at the recent @fp4america.bsky.social Leadership Summit in DC. The United States has both a moral and strategic imperative to fight for equality globally, and we look forward to continuing that fight.

Out in National Security is proud to share that our CEO and cofounder, @lfschleusener.bsky.social, has again been recognized by @washingtonian.com, among the people shaping national security policy in Washington. washingtonian.com/2026/05/05/w...

ONS is inviting YOU or any rising stars in your network to apply to our flagship leadership development program! Fellows will: -Refine their career development skills -Enhance their personal branding -Expand their personal & professional networks Applications are open through May 29. Link below.

A great opportunity for our academically inclined followers bsky.app/profile/robe...

Dr Robert Bohan@robertbohan.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Anyone LGBTQ looking for a great conference in an amazing city?! Amsterdam my friends! Please share with anyone you think might enjoy it!

Join ONS this Saturday for our spring fundraiser in DC to launch the NEW Equal Service Working Group. You'll here from former USAF Secretary Frank Kendall and other NatSec leaders in an private, relaxed setting. Link in bio and below. We hope to see you there! partiful.com/e/EGkLVOKron...

Our Cofounder Shawn Skelly on the Iran War during a recent episode of The Gaily Show: "This is a major combat operation that's eating up America's ability to defend itself, and it has not been fully explained to the American people. That's an absolute historic tragedy" shorturl.at/qz9ON

On The Precipice: Trump's Iran War

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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REMINDER - Join us TONIGHT in Hell’s Kitchen for “Good Work and Good Company", our 2nd NYC social & professional event. Come ready to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones. Bring your ideas on how ONS can help you, or how you can help ONS. Location: The Dickens - 783 8th Ave, New York, NY

On April 25, we're hosting our spring fundraiser in DC to launch the NEW Equal Service Working Group. You'll here from former USAF Secretary Frank Kendall and other NatSec leaders. We hope you'll join us! Address and details provided after RSVP, please email development@outinnationalsecurity.org

On International Trans Day of Visibility, we encourage everyone who stands for equality to do what you can to raise awareness. That could be mentioning Trans Day of Visibility to your friends or family, like and share this post, or getting in touch with ONS to learn how you can be more involved.

Have plans yet for Thursday happy hour? Join your fellow NatSec nerds to hear from Georgetown Prof. Abe Newman on how "New Royalism" helps explain this wild modern era. RSVP: rb.gy/fy7klv Kiki - 915 U St NW, Washington, DC 5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

ONS Conversations: Abe Newman on the New Royalism | Partiful

Join Out in National Security for a conversation with Professor Abe Newman of Georgetown University on his recent work on the “new royalism." Their argument is that global politics is shifting away f...

rb.gy

Out In National Security@outinnationalsecurity.org · 5mo ago

Please join ONS next Thursday, March 26 for an informal and lively discussion over drinks with Professor Abe Newman on the future of global politics as the era of “Neo-Royalism." Kiki - 915 U St NW, Washington, DC 5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. RSVP Here: rb.gy/fy7klv

Please join ONS next Thursday, March 26 for an informal and lively discussion over drinks with Professor Abe Newman on the future of global politics as the era of “Neo-Royalism." Kiki - 915 U St NW, Washington, DC 5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. RSVP Here: rb.gy/fy7klv

ONS invites you TOMORROW (3/3/26) for a relaxed, gender-inclusive happy hour celebrating Women's History Month at Her Diner, co-hosted with GATT DC & WIIT. All are welcome, feel free to bring a colleague or friend. Cheers and see you there! 📍 Her Diner, Washington, DC 📅 March 3 | 5:30–7:30 PM

Veterans spoke up. Lawmakers engaged. The department adjusted course. Disability compensation is not abstract. It affects housing stability, family finances, and long-term care. Process and accountability matter.

Military Times@militarytimes.bsky.social · 5mo ago

A policy requiring VA medical examiners to include effects of medication in assigning disability ratings is expected to be formally rescinded on Feb. 27.

More than 18,500 veterans have raised concerns about a proposed VA rule that would base disability compensation on how a condition responds to medication, rather than on the underlying injury or illness itself. That is not a small signal.

Stars and Stripes@starsandstripes.bsky.social · 5mo ago

More than 18,500 veterans have flooded a government website with their concerns about a VA rule for awarding disability benefits that bases compensation on how a veteran does on medication — and not on the injury or illness itself. Veterans want the rule revoked, not paused.

A federal appeals court has upheld the military’s ban on enlistment for individuals living with HIV. This shifts the legal posture. It does not resolve the force design questions at stake.

Christopher Wiggins@cwnewser.bsky.social · 6mo ago

The three judges, two Trump appointees and one George H.W. Bush appointee, allowed the Pentagon to again discriminate against people with HIV who cannot transmit the virus. www.advocate.com/news/hiv-mil...

Friendly Reminder: We're looking forward to seeing everyone tonight for happy hour at Her Diner in AdMo! And it's not too late to RSVP 🥂

Out In National Security@outinnationalsecurity.org · 6mo ago

For folks in DC, ONS warmly invites you to a casual happy hour next Tuesday (2/17) to connect with fellow development & humanitarian professionals. Allies and friends are welcome. First round on us! RSVP: shorturl.at/hYKSQ

For folks in DC, ONS warmly invites you to a casual happy hour next Tuesday (2/17) to connect with fellow development & humanitarian professionals. Allies and friends are welcome. First round on us! RSVP: shorturl.at/hYKSQ

@lfschleusener.bsky.social talks to Love Rutledge of the Fed Upward pod about how ONS supports LGBTQIA+ federal workers with programing and community, especially those being targeted by the administration. It's a great conversation (in under 10 minutes!) which you can find here: shorturl.at/X4LlS

Looking for a break from the chaotic news with something truly personal and meaningful? Our Co-Founder @lfschleusener.bsky.social was featured on an episode of "This Queer Book Saved My Life" about the life of civil and gay rights pioneer Bayard Rustin. Listen here: shorturl.at/TbFqh

For some lighter weekend listening, our Co-Founder @lfschleusener.bsky.social was featured on Gayish, a fantastic podcast Esquire says brings “a sense of thoughtfulness along with humor", as Luke guides them through NatSec news and impacts on our community Listen here: shorturl.at/RuWL1

Gayish Podcast@gayishpodcast.bsky.social · 6mo ago

🎉🎉🎉 NEW EPISODE 🎉🎉🎉 🔐🔐🔐 National Security 🔐🔐🔐 Luke Schleusener, Co-Founder & CEO of Out In National Security (ONS) talks to Mike and Kyle about US national security, the second Lavender Scare, healthcare of Veterans Affairs, and the trans military ban. www.gayishpodcast.com/gayish-477-n...