Question 1

American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER)

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • Advocates and serves the needs of America’s LGBT armed forces veterans with information, referral, and limited legal consultation regarding VA benefits claims
 • If you have specific questions about veterans benefits eligibility or your rights as an LGBT American armed forces veteran, you may contact us directly and we will do our best to provide information and referral and point you in the right direction to resolve your issues.  Please contact us at vetsaffairs@aver.us (vetsaffairs@aver.us)
 • AVER Veterans Affairs is offering limited legal consultation to LGBT
 • Veterans with VA Claims issues. Rochelle Richardson, Principal Attorney at Rochelle E. Richardson, Attorney at Law, PLLC, is a VA accredited attorney, and provides representation to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, nationwide, in their claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As her time permits, referrals will be made to Ms. Richardson for veterans to consult with her on VA claims issues. Ms. Richardson, a veteran, has volunteered to provide this limited service to AVER.  Please contact AVER Veterans Affairs at vetsaffairs@aver.us (vetsaffairs@aver.us)
 • The AVERvetsBenefits e-mail discussion group is for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans to share information on issues of specific concern to them as LGBT veterans, e.g., service discharge upgrades, VA health services for HIV/AIDS, same-sex partner issues at VA, etc.
 • AVER Veterans Affairs maintains liaison and coordination with other LGBT service organizations such as TAVA (Transgender American Veterans Association), OutServe (the active duty LGBT service organization), S.W.A.N. (Service Women’s Action Network), SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders), among others; serving on committees and boards, and participating in forums and conferences regarding the rights and needs of LGBT service members.
 • The AVER Veterans Affairs Committee brings together lawyers, social workers, psychologists, therapists, VSOs and others involved in direct service with LGBT vets for discussion, consultation, and referral. To inquire about participation in the AVER Veterans Affairs Committee, please contact vetsaffairs@aver.us(vetsaffairs@aver.us)
Website:
 • https://aver.us/veteran-resources (https://aver.us/veteran-resources)

Question 2

At Ease: Support for Military Families with LGBTQ+ Children and Teens

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • Military families with LGBTQ+ dependents have a unique set of challenges. Moving every few years means reevaluating the cultural norms, laws, schools, and support of LGBTQ+ people at each location. It can feel overwhelming trying to find support for your LGBTQ+ child and yourself. In this new publication, you’ll find valuable information designed to help you navigate the military system and find the support that your child— and your entire family—need. You’ll also hear from other military families, parents, and youth on similar journeys. Some have since retired from military service, their LGBTQ+ children now grown. Others are still very much in the thick of it, with active duty service members and spouses serving our country while raising LGBTQ+ youth. We hope you will find this publication both enjoyable and informative.
Website:
 • https://pflag.org/resource/at-ease/ (https://pflag.org/resource/at-ease/)

Question 3

Blue Alliance

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • U.S. Air Force LGBTQ+ support network
 • THE MISSION OF BLUE ALLIANCE is to promote respect through education and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals at the Air Force Academy, within the Academy's alumni community, and throughout the entire United States Air Force.
 • We are proud to serve and support the mission of the Air Force Academy for ALL cadets, regardless of gender or orientation. We facilitate professional networking and mentorship for LGBT+ cadets, alumni, veterans, and employees of USAFA and the US Air Force. Since 19 October 2007, Blue Alliance has maintained status as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.
 • Blue Alliance prides itself on maintaining working relationships with Academy leadership and for advocating inclusion and respect. Blue Alliance does not comment on political matters.
Website:
 • https://www.blue-alliance.org/ (https://www.blue-alliance.org/)

Question 4

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • Resources and Services for LGBTQ+ Veterans
Website:
 • https://www.dav.org/get-help-now/veteran-topics-resources/lgbtq+-veterans/ (https://www.dav.org/get-help-now/veteran-topics-resources/lgbtq+-veterans/)

Question 5

Gay and Lesbian Sailor’s Social and Support Group (GLASS)

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • The Gay, Lesbian and Supporting Sailors (GLASS) seeks to foster a base free of prejudice, bigotry, harassment, and violence by providing a space for all Sailors to explore and increase their understanding of aspects related to sexual orientation and expression in an open and nonjudgmental environment. We support and affirm the diverse identities and lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) Sailors as individuals and as groups, especially as students, staff, and faculty of Training Support Command (TSC) and their families, friends, and allies, by the cultivation of safe space, educational outreach, advocacy, visibility of LGB issues, information and referral, and academic and leadership opportunities.
 • GLASS is a peer-to-peer group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and supportive sailors at Great Lakes Naval Station in Great Lakes, IL. We are committed to providing support for our fellow sailors through advocacy, education and outreach.
Website:
 • https://supportivesailors.wordpress.com/ (https://supportivesailors.wordpress.com/)

Question 6

Healing Warrior Hearts (HWH)

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • LGBTQ+ retreats
 • Whether it was before, during, or after Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, being in the military and identifying as LGBTQ+ has historically meant service members did not feel safe or accepted.
 • Unique experiences of injustice, discrimination, and abuse, both physical and emotional, are the emphasis in this special-focus Healing Warrior Hearts retreat. This confidential environment offers a safe place to talk about the struggles of sexual orientation within the military.
 • Staff of these weekends are veterans and civilians who share similar experiences or who have been identified as LGBTQ+ targets and their allies. The staff offers empathy and compassion for the pain these veterans carry, connecting from the heart, recognizing that our hearts have no gender or sexual preference and that all healing begins within.
Website:
 • https://www.healingwarriorhearts.org/lgbtq-focus (https://www.healingwarriorhearts.org/lgbtq-focus)

Question 7

Knights Out

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • Knights Out is an organization of West Point alumni and allies that supports, serves as a resource, and fosters a positive environment for LGBT soldiers and their families.  It embraces open service of transgender service members.
Website:
 • https://www.knightsout.org/ (https://www.knightsout.org/)

Question 8

Modern Military Association of America

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • The Modern Military Association of America is a united voice for LGBTQ+ military and veteran communities. Modern Military works to uphold and expand the civil rights progress made on behalf of LGBTQ+ service members, veterans, and their families through education, advocacy, support networks, and discrimination tracking.
Website:
 • https://modernmilitary.org/ (https://modernmilitary.org/)

Question 9

PFLAG Connects: Military Community

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • A collaboration between PFLAG National and Modern Military Association of America. This safe, virtual, moderated monthly meeting is open to military-affiliated adults who are the parents, caregivers, or allies of LGBTQ+ children, teens, and adults. If you are a parent with an LGBTQ+ child – no matter how old that child is – this is a safe space for you. Moderators are military members, veterans, and military spouses with LGBTQ+ children. This group meets on the second Monday of the month.
 • PFLAG Connects: Military Community meets virtually on the second Monday of every month at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.
Website:
 • https://pflag.org/events/military-community/ (https://pflag.org/events/military-community/)

Question 10

SPARTA

Accepted Answer

Services: 
 • SPARTA is a group of transgender people who currently serve or have served in the military. SPARTA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization not affiliated with the Department of Defense. Membership is open to transgender (to include non-binary and gender-nonconforming) individuals currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. We also offer smaller groups for families of transgender service members, veterans, and allies.
 • Mission: SPARTA will advocate for inclusive military policy, provide peer support, and develop transgender military service educational resources on behalf of currently serving transgender military members.
 • Vision: Be the premier transgender military service advocacy, support, and education organization in the United States.
Website:
 • SPARTA (https://spartapride.org/about-us/)

Question 11

Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA)

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • Founded in 2003, the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) engages with our members, governmental agencies, other advocacy groups, media and the public in order to ensure our members receive full services and dignified treatment by promoting the values of equality, fairness and respect on behalf of our members and provide a supportive community for Veterans who identify under the “Transgender Umbrella”.
Website:
 • Transveteran (https://www.transveteran.org/for-veterans)

Question 12

VHA LGBTQ+ Health Program

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • 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).
Website:
 • VHA (https://www.patientcare.va.gov/lgbt/)
Resources:
 • Trans Men and Masculine of Center (MOC) Veteran Health Care Fact Sheet (https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/docs/va-pcs-lgbt-factsheet-transgender-male.pdf#)
 • Trans Women and Transfeminine Veteran Health Care Fact Sheet (https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/docs/va-pcs-lgbt-factsheet-transgender-female.pdf#)
 • Nonbinary Veteran Health Care Fact Sheet (https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/docs/LGBTQ-factsheet-nonbinary-Veterans.pdf#)
 • Veteran - Birth Sex and Self-Identified Gender Identity Fact Sheet (https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/docs/2022/Birth-Sex-Gender-Identity-FactSheet-for-Veterans-2022.pdf#)
 •  Provider - Birth Sex and Self-Identified Gender Identity Fact Sheet (https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/docs/2022/Birth-Sex-Gender-Identity-FactSheet-for-Providers-2022.pdf#)
 • Coming Out to Your Health Care Provider  (https://www.maketheconnection.net/events/sharing-LGBTQ-identity-with-providers)
 • Lesbian, Gay Bisexual & Transgender Queer Questioning + (LGBTQ+) Service Members and Veterans   (https://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/lgbt.asp)

Question 13

VHA LGBTQ+ VCC Locator Tool

Accepted Answer

Services:
 • There is an LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (LGBTQ+ VCC) in every VA health care system 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. 
 • The LGBTQ+ VCC can answer your questions, advocate for your right to quality care, handle complaints or concerns you have about your care, and help you get started with services for LGBTQ+ Veterans.
Website:
 • https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VAFacilities.asp (https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VAFacilities.asp)

RECURSOS DE APOYO

- Sarah McBride

Reach out with resources we forgot!