Coast Guard: Issues and Policies Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity of Service Members : Government Accountability Office (GAO) , November 15 , 2023
Coast Guard: Issues and Policies Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity of Service Members : Government Accountability Office (GAO) , November 15 , 2023
From the report: “The U.S. Coast Guard, a branch of the armed forces located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for protecting and defending more than 100,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways. The service also assists people in distress or affected by natural disasters. To accomplish its missions, the Coast Guard employs more than 40,000 active-duty service members. According to the Coast Guard, the service is committed to ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
A 2020 study suggests that Department of Defense (DOD) active-duty military service members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) face an elevated risk of sexual harassment and assault compared to non-LGBTQ+ service members. Although the study did not include the Coast Guard, it raises questions about the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals within the service since the Coast Guard follows DOD personnel policies. DOD has highlighted the rates of sexual assault and sexual harassment of LGBTQ+ service members as a concern.
We were asked to examine issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity of Coast Guard active-duty service members. This report addresses the service’s policies and actions related to sexual orientation and gender identity among its active-duty service members.”
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