Just one of the many resources we will offer in this blog - Share this resource with LGBT+ veterans you know! Today is a big day.
In observance of Veterans Day, at the launch of Transgender Awareness Week, and coming to you one week before Transgender Day of Remembrance, I want to observe the gravity of the month of November for the LGBT+ community in this blog.
Today, as we show gratitude and appreciation for those who have fought bravely for our liberties and freedoms, we must also remember that many service members do not have adequate access to the support they need and deserve; both LGBT+ and cis-straight veterans.
In this blog, I will bring up several of the hurdles and pitfalls that keep these veterans and soldiers silent, in the closet, or stealth throughout their service, and afterward.
And for those of you in this situation, we’d like to provide some resources to give you that support and make sure you’re heard.
In observance of Veterans Day, at the launch of Transgender Awareness Week, and coming to you one week before Transgender Day of Remembrance, I want to observe the gravity of the month of November for the LGBT+ community in this blog.
Today, as we show gratitude and appreciation for those who have fought bravely for our liberties and freedoms, we must also remember that many service members do not have adequate access to the support they need and deserve; both LGBT+ and cis-straight veterans.
In this blog, I will bring up several of the hurdles and pitfalls that keep these veterans and soldiers silent, in the closet, or stealth throughout their service, and afterward.
And for those of you in this situation, we’d like to provide some resources to give you that support and make sure you’re heard.
The Military’s Culture of Prejudice
A second resource for Transgender Veterans struggling with legal, healthcare, or other issues. Up until the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DA;DT) in the U.S. military, there was minimal information on the specific concerns that LGBT+ service members faced.
In 2010, The Williams Institute of UCLA released a report on the estimated number of lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women in the military.
It showed that they comprised roughly 2.2% of all military personnel.
In 2014 UCLA released a new report stating there were over 150,000 active transgender individuals in the armed forces.
While this data shed some light on the existence of LGBT+ military personnel, it obviously could not account for closeted individuals. Despite having the opportunity to serve openly, many military personnel did not, and still do not feel safe to come out within today’s military culture.
In 2010, The Williams Institute of UCLA released a report on the estimated number of lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women in the military.
It showed that they comprised roughly 2.2% of all military personnel.
In 2014 UCLA released a new report stating there were over 150,000 active transgender individuals in the armed forces.
While this data shed some light on the existence of LGBT+ military personnel, it obviously could not account for closeted individuals. Despite having the opportunity to serve openly, many military personnel did not, and still do not feel safe to come out within today’s military culture.
When I was in the Navy, I couldn't be honest about my life. My Girlfriend, Victoria, had to be called Victor because I risked expulsion from service. I felt shame and fear. When DA;DT was repealed it was life-changing. People cried just to be able to hold the one they loved. But now, with Trump, that fear is back, and it's not just keeping people in the closet. It's threatening the lives of everyone who came out then.
This fear is legitimate and has removed thousands from service. Love MUST win.
~Navy Veteran
The rates of discrimination towards minority communities within the armed forces are still higher than the general population. That is especially true for transgender and gender non-conforming folxs. These disproportionate rates of discrimination can be a factor in closeted individuals choosing not to come out or not feeling comfortable serving at all.
Access to medical and mental health care are also still lacking for LGBT+ service members.
While policy changes have occurred in the last decade to allow for more medical protections, many same-sex spouses and transgender veterans face difficult hurdles when seeking treatment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs states that it has improved policies to make access easier and more secure for transgender veterans, but an overwhelming number face limitations when it comes to transition-related surgical care, applications being denied and repealed upwards of 3 times, and medical practitioners either don’t know the rules, or avidly ignore them in practice.
Access to medical and mental health care are also still lacking for LGBT+ service members.
While policy changes have occurred in the last decade to allow for more medical protections, many same-sex spouses and transgender veterans face difficult hurdles when seeking treatment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs states that it has improved policies to make access easier and more secure for transgender veterans, but an overwhelming number face limitations when it comes to transition-related surgical care, applications being denied and repealed upwards of 3 times, and medical practitioners either don’t know the rules, or avidly ignore them in practice.
Veteran Discrimination After Serving
OutServe is a legal organization that caters to LGBT+ veterans struggling with DA;DT Older LGBT+ veterans face further difficulties when it comes to their discharge status.
Since 1993, more than 13,000 individuals were discharged due to Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
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Individuals discharged for homosexuality were discharged with a "less than honorably" status that can be difficult to dispute.
A less than honorable discharge effectively bars these individuals from receiving veterans benefits, cost them government positions, and comes with a burden of shame.
Discharge statuses can be now can reviewed and changed to honorable for DA;DT reasons, but that process is untimely and demands a fair bit of paperwork. So many LGBT+ veterans have lived with their lower statuses for so long that their lives have been significantly set back by it and no correction will be enough to recover that lost time, effort, social position, and money.
Since 1993, more than 13,000 individuals were discharged due to Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
.
Individuals discharged for homosexuality were discharged with a "less than honorably" status that can be difficult to dispute.
A less than honorable discharge effectively bars these individuals from receiving veterans benefits, cost them government positions, and comes with a burden of shame.
Discharge statuses can be now can reviewed and changed to honorable for DA;DT reasons, but that process is untimely and demands a fair bit of paperwork. So many LGBT+ veterans have lived with their lower statuses for so long that their lives have been significantly set back by it and no correction will be enough to recover that lost time, effort, social position, and money.
So what can Veteran’s and Allies Do?
The Veterans legal institute is the first place to start if you have trouble with medical issues and policies, finding work, or discrimination issues Organizations are working to support LGBT+ veterans in various areas, such as AVER (American Veterans for Equal Rights), but what is needed most is broad wide-sweeping changes to the cultural approaches the military takes to protect, advocate for, and empower military personnel - both during and after serving.
The best thing an ally can do, however, is to listen and then respond with support by boosting the stories of LGBT+ veterans issues. Donate to media organizations like GLAAD, the Personal Stories Project, and other organizations that seek to signal boost veterans, and contribute to the financial health of the organizations we recommend below:
The best thing an ally can do, however, is to listen and then respond with support by boosting the stories of LGBT+ veterans issues. Donate to media organizations like GLAAD, the Personal Stories Project, and other organizations that seek to signal boost veterans, and contribute to the financial health of the organizations we recommend below:
If You're a Veteran, we encourage you to use these Resources
You can find these resources and hundreds of others on our Resources page, It's visually easy to understand, organized, and searchable. Simply filter and sort the database by your stage in your journey, the issues you are facing, and/or your identity! Try it out here!
- In emergencies:
- Veterans crisis Network
- https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.
- https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
- Veterans crisis Network
- For legal issues:
- OUT SERVE - SLDN
- https://www.outserve-sldn.org/page/legal?
OutServe-SLDN provides free legal counseling to service members with legal issues stemming from discrimination based on one's perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender presentation, the regulations governing military service by HIV+ people, the rules addressing military service by transgender persons, and offers assistance to veterans seeking to upgrade or correct their discharge paperwork.
- https://www.outserve-sldn.org/page/legal?
- ALCU -
- https://www.aclu.org/
For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
- https://www.aclu.org/
- Veterans Legal Institute
- https://www.vetslegal.com/
Veterans Legal Institute® (VLI) provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless, at risk, disabled and low-income current and former service members to eradicate barriers to housing, healthcare, education, and employment and foster self-sufficiency.
- https://www.vetslegal.com/
- OUT SERVE - SLDN
- For post-military civilian assistance
- Hire Heroes USA
- https://www.hireheroesusa.org/
Hire Heroes USA empowers U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce.
- https://www.hireheroesusa.org/
- Hire Heroes USA
- For Transgender Veteran Care and Advocacy
- Transgender American Veterans Association
- http://transveteran.org/for-veterans/trans-support-locator/
We work non-stop finding relevant information across the web on transgender issues and bring it to you every day. Here are just a few of our latest Facebook posts. Enjoy!
- http://transveteran.org/for-veterans/trans-support-locator/
- Transgender American Veterans Association
Lane Lunsford
Lane is the Facilitator of the newly formed Bisexual / Pansexual group Bitter / Sweet. She's spent most of her life counseling troubled youth and the LGBT+ community. She's recently married her husband and experiences the same Bi-erasure she is supporting you with now. Join her group!
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