VHA LGBTQ+ Health Program
LGBTQ+ Veterans
Hear VA staff talk about why Pride Counts at VA
VA is committed to creating a welcoming environment and improving healthcare for everyone, including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Veterans. VA staff play a critical role in ensuring that LGBTQ+ Veterans receive the care they need and have earned in service to our country.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) welcomes all Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivor beneficiaries, including diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. “LGBTQ+” refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identities. The “+” sign captures identities beyond LGBTQ, including but not limited to questioning, pansexual, asexual, agender, gender diverse, nonbinary, gender-neutral, and other identities. LGBTQ+ Veterans have faced stigma and discrimination, which can affect health. As a healthcare institution, we need to make sure that LGBTQ+ Veterans know that they are welcome at Veterans Health Administration (VHA). LGBTQ+ Special Observations
LGBTQ+ Health Program
Mission Statement
Provide national leadership through policy, education, advocacy, and innovative data-driven programs to promote LGBTQ+ Veteran health and well-being.
Vision Statement
Build a VA that LGBTQ+ Veterans trust to provide affirming care and services to help them thrive.
Available Health Care Services
There is an LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (LGBTQ+ VCC) at every facility to help you get the care you need. VHA policies require that your health care is delivered in an affirming and inclusive environment and that VHA employees respect your identity. Contact the LGBTQ+ VCC at your nearest facility.
VA health care includes, among other services:
- Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy
- Substance use/alcohol treatment
- Tobacco use treatment
- Treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for Veterans at risk for HIV.
- Intimate partner violence reduction and treatment of after effects
- Military Sexual Trauma screening and treatment of after effects
- Suicide prevention services. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then Press 1, text 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
- Whole Health
- Cancer screening, prevention and treatment
- Virtual Mental Health Care: Veterans can connect with a VA mental health provider through a computer or mobile device from the comfort of their homes or at their nearest VA health facility.
- Infertility: VA is committed to helping Veterans navigate challenges that may arise from issues with fertility and the conception of a child.
LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinators (VCCs)
LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinators (VCCs) share personal insights about the work they do and the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility at VA. LGBTQ+ VCCs talk about:
- Health care for transgender & gender diverse Veterans at VA
- Their personal commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ Veterans
- Gender-affirming health care including hormones and prosthetics
- Advocating for LGBTQ+ Veterans and promoting VA policies for respectful care
- Experiences as Veterans that inform their work at VA
- Why LGBTQ+ Veterans should choose VHA care
- Providing connection to community and with VHA
- Training and education for VA staff to create a welcoming environment
- Coordinating with many health specialties for Veteran care
Transgender and gender diverse Veterans face increased health risks and unique challenges in accessing quality health care. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is working to be a national leader in health care for LGBTQ+ Veterans and assure that high-quality care is provided in a person-centered, respectful environment. LGBTQ+ VCCs help Veterans get the care they need. VHA providers know about specific risk and protective factors that impact health care based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, age, and other individual factors. Health care is best when Veterans and their providers have good relationships. LGBTQ+ VCCs are there to support Veterans to make connections with their providers.
Reach out to your local facility’s LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator today: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VAFacilities.asp
Does my sexual orientation or gender identity matter to my health care?
As a result of stigma, stress, and discrimination, LGBTQ+ Veterans face increased health risks and unique challenges in health care. We want you to be comfortable talking with your VA providers about all aspects of your life, so we can offer you the best care possible.
Learn about health risks and why you should talk to your provider about your sexual orientation identity, birth sex, and self-identified gender identity in the fact sheets below.
- Transgender Men & Transmasculine Veterans Health Care Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Transgender Women & Transfeminine Veterans Health Care Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Veteran Health Care For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Queer Women (PDF)
- Veteran Health Care For Gay, Bisexual, & Queer Men (PDF)
- Nonbinary Veteran Health Care Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Veteran - Birth Sex and Self-Identified Gender Identity Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Provider - Birth Sex and Self-Identified Gender Identity Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Sexual Orientation and Sexual Health Veteran Fact Sheet (PDF)
Learn about the resources and support available for LGBTQ+ Veterans who have faced challenges related to coming out or are unsure what services they are eligible for at VA.
- Coming Out to Your Health Care Provider
- Lesbian, Gay Bisexual & Transgender Queer Questioning + (LGBTQ+) Service Members and Veterans
- How to Apply for a Discharge Upgrade
Gender-Affirming Surgeries in VA Health Care Coverage
VA provides gender-affirming care to transgender Veterans, with the exception of gender-affirming surgery. VA has moved methodically in its consideration of a potential change in coverage to provide gender-affirming surgery because it must be implemented in a manner that has been thoroughly considered and ensures that the services made available to Veterans meet VA’s rigorous standards for consistent and quality health care nationwide. VA remains committed to providing care to transgender Veterans and will continue to take steps to consider any potential changes to the provision of medical care to that important population.
Need Help? LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC) Services
There is an LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (LGBTQ+ VCC) at every facility to help you get the care you need. VHA policies require that your health care is delivered in an affirming and inclusive environment and that VHA employees respect your identity.
Reach out to your local facility’s LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator today: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VAFacilities.asp
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