VHA LGBTQ+ Health Program - Special Observances
LGBTQ+ Health Program Celebrates LGBTQ+ Veterans
VA recognizes many LGBTQ+ Special Observances throughout the year, please read about what has happened in the last year.
VA Celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month!
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month with the theme, Pride Counts at VA. This Pride Month, we shine a spotlight on our LGBTQ+ Veterans, and highlight the resources and services that make VA the best place for Veterans to receive their care.
Pride Counts at VA is more than just a theme; it’s a declaration that sexual orientation and gender identity matter. It’s an invitation to stand together, recognizing the value and contributions of LGBTQ+ Veterans, staff, caregivers, and allies. This year, we aim to highlight the importance of visibility and belonging.
LGBTQ+ Veterans have served our country in every war since the Revolution, but they have not always gotten the care and benefits that they so rightly deserve. With that in mind, here at the VA, we have worked to show that we are committed to providing LGBTQ+ Veterans – and ALL Veterans – world-class care in a safe, welcoming, and discrimination-free environment. Every Veteran and VA employee should feel respected and treated with dignity at VA.
Pride Counts here at the VA. Gender identity and sexual orientation matter in health care, and we envision a VA where everyone feels comfortable and supported in sharing who they are. We encourage Veterans to talk about all aspects of your lives with their providers, including sexual orientation and gender identity for your health and wellness. We are proud to serve all who have served. Our providers are trained to know risk factors that impact your healthcare due to your sexual orientation, gender, race, age, and other individual factors.
We want Veterans to take pride in your health. We know that like all our Veterans, LGBTQ+ Veterans have unique healthcare goals and needs, which is why every VHA facility has a LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC) to help navigate their healthcare. Find yours here: Directory of LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinators (va.gov)
This month, and every day, we are proud to serve all who have served. We will continue to uplift and celebrate every Veteran and serve them the best way we know how, through world-class healthcare.
• Pride Counts at VA
- VA is proud to serve LGBTQ+ Veterans and all Veterans. At VA, we want everyone to be respected and supported in sharing who they are – and we’ll never settle for anything less.
• Pride in Serving All Who Served
- VA serves all who served, and we strive within the VA to provide a safe and inclusive environment and to remove barriers for LGBTQ+ Veterans.
• Pride in Youe Health
- Sexual orientation and gender identity matter in health care. VA encourages Veterans to talk about all aspects of their lives with their providers, including sexual orientation and gender identity for your health and wellness.
- Individuals with LGBTQ+ identities are less likely to seek routine care because of experiencing discrimination, bias, and lack of access. But at VA, we encourage all Veterans to receive routine health and mental health care.
Celebrate Pride Month & Welcome LGBTQ+ Veterans All Year
Use these posters and flyers to celebrate pride and share that Pride Counts at VA! Use them all year to inspire and inform Veterans that VA provides an affirming and respectful place for LGBTQ+ Veterans. Click on the links to get material that can be printed or used on computer and TV screens. Bring them to events where LGBTQ+ Veterans will be. VA employees, Veteran Services Organization, community groups, and everyone are welcome to use and display these posters.
Pride Counts at VA |
Pride in Your Health (Spanish) |
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Pride in Your Health |
Pride in Your Health - VCC |
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Ebulletin Board - 11x17Transgender and Gender Diverse Awareness Month
VA recognizes November as Transgender and Gender Diverse Awareness Month. Veterans of all gender identities are welcome at VA. VA provides many gender-affirming services. Find important information about transgender and gender diverse Veterans and gender affirming care:
• Transgender and gender diverse patient education brochures
- Transgender Men & Transmasculine Veterans Health Care(PDF)
- Transgender Women & Transfeminine Veterans Health Care(PDF)
• Gender Affirming Care at VA: Resources for Veterans(PDF) and Resources for Providers(PDF).
• Veterans can add or change preferred name and gender identity on VA.gov(PDF)
• More gender affirming care information can be found here: VA LGBTQ+ Health Program Patient Education, Resources, & Outreach Materials - Patient Care Services
• Watch these videos:
Veteran Care Coordinators on Transgender and Gender Diverse Visibility
Transgender Person Using a VA Restroom in a Safe, Welcoming, and Respectful Enviornment
Use these posters to welcome transgender and gender diverse Veterans:
VA Transgender Awareness Month |
VA Transgender Awareness Month |
Use the Honorific “Veteran” instead of “Mr.” or “Ms.” to convey respect. Share these posters:
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LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week
The third week in March is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Questioning (LGBTQ+) Health Awareness Week. To mark the event, please display a commemorative poster at your facility and help make LGBTQ+ Veterans feel welcome. The poster can be printed on 8.5”x11” paper or used with electronic bulletin board systems.
March 18-22 is LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week! Here at the VA, we serve our Veterans with the Equitable, Inclusive, and Respectful health care you deserve. Sexual orientation and gender identity matter in health care. We know that some LGBTQ+ people have experienced bias or discrimination. That is why we celebrate LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week by reminding Veterans that we provide personalized health care that understands the specific risk and protective factors based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, and other individual factors. We encourage all Veterans to receive routine exams and take advantage of the mental health resources we offer. Additionally, our providers are trained to know both specific risk and protective factors that impact health care based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, and other individual factors.
LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week is an important time to bring attention to the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ Americans. LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week is sponsored by the LGBTQ+ Health Program.
LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week Posters
VA Pride Month 2022 - Serving all who served
View the VA Pride Month message from 2022. Here at VA, our doors are always open to all Veterans. VA has specific expertise in caring for LGBTQ+ Veterans and understanding their unique triumphs, challenges, and health concerns.
PRIDE EVENTS FROM OTHER VA PROGRAMS
Veterans Affairs Pride Recognition
VA recognizes LGBTQ+ Veterans during Pride Month. Find out more about patient care, benefits, and discharge upgrades. Watch video messages from Veterans.
VA Virtual Pride: A Month of Fun and Educational Events
Veterans are invited to join in the annual VA National Virtual Pride activities - learn more. Throughout June, presentations will be offered online to Veterans and community members to participate and learn about LGBTQ+ Veterans and resources.
VA Women Veterans Health Care
For lesbian, bisexual, queer, and transgender Veterans, visit VA Women’s Health.
Get updates from LGBTQ+ Health Program at VA
Sign up to get it delivered right to your email. https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/Subscribe_Email_Updates.asp
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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