Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Advisory Group (SOAGDAG)

Mission

To provide advice and consultation to and on behalf of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS or PHS) Commissioned Corps Surgeon General on the following:

1. Issues of interest to and concern of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer officers and officers with other gender identities (hereafter, "LGBTQ+), as well as their allies in the USPHS Commissioned Corps,
2. Issues relating to USPHS Commissioned Corps personnel policies and practices relevant to LGBTQ+ officers, and
3. Provision of LGBTQ+-competent health care by USPHS Commissioned Corps healthcare providers.

Membership

We invite you to join the Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Advisory Group (SOAGDAG) in its endeavors to expand the visibility, impact, and role of LGBT Officers in the USPHS and raise awareness about critical public health issues the LGBTQ+ community.

SOAGDAG membership consists of voting and non-voting members. There may be up to 20 voting members, and an unlimited number of non-voting members. All non-votimg members are welcome to serve on subcommittees and be active in helping SOAGDAG achieve its mission.

Currently, voting members are nominated and appointed to SOAGDAG. Voting members must be:

• Active Duty Commissioned Corps Officers who meet Office of Force Readiness Deployment (OFRD) basic readiness standards.
• Interested in LGBTQ+ Issues to further the SOAGDAG mission.
• Activly participating in one of SOADAG subcommittees while serving as a voting memeber.

Subscribe to the SOAGDAG Listserv

In addition to participating in our meetings and committees we also want to encourage you to join our Listserv, as this is the primary way we communicate with our fellow officers. You may subscribe, I, or change your email address for the SOAGDAG Listserv: http://go.usa.gov/xkSv9 .

Helpful Links and  Information

• SOAGDAG Charter approved - June 30, 2015
• Health and Human Services - LGBTQ+ Health and Well-being