LGBT veteran care from the VA web site

[KymmieL]

I have seen these at the VA but just found them on-line. It outlines the VA LGBT Care.

 

I plan on taking a copy of the Trans female one to my next appointment.  The page also has links to the national policy and for those who are having trouble with their VA medical center, A national contact.

 

LGBT care

 

Kymmie

[VickySGV]

Good info have here!  Since it is more recent than the other info, I am going to pin this in the forum.

 

[KymmieL]

This was found when I had to find a VA medical center because I didn't get my meds in time before I left. I had to verify my eligibility. In the process the lady asked me what gender I  identify as. Of course I said female. 

 

I suggest anyone who is having problems with their PCP or anyone at their VA medical facility. To contact the facility LGBT coordinator, each has one. 

 

Kymmie

[TommieAnne]

I can relate my own personal experience with the VA. For me they've been really helpful, recommended  (sometimes even loaned) books that were helpful. My therapist at the VA even recommended this site to me.

I'm told they closely follow the WPATH standards, adhering to the most up to date version. That means going forward based on "informed consent" among other things.

So far, my experience has been very good.

I would encourage any other veterans who have been "hanging back" out of fear to speak up and seek out the LGBTQ support counselor at their local facility. If the facility doesn't have one, check with Mental Health and request a referral.

[TommieAnne]

The VA will provide HRT. They will not perform most surgery of interest to trans people. There may be a fine line that can be crossed for orchiectomy, but that would require reasons other than (I believe) a desire to transtion.

[TommieAnne]

Hug you back, dear!

[KymmieL]

I try to post up relevant information for us as veterans. My gyn told me that they may perform an  orchiectomy. Because it may help with hormone therapy, which they do provide.

 

Kymmie

[TommieAnne]

That's good news. And example of variances within the VA, as I was told they would not do surgery except in the case of some cancers.

But that's a a good point - that it "helps" with hormone therapy. I may come back to them with that as a question. Thanks!

[Phoenix]

On 12/28/2018 at 2:22 PM, KymmieL said:

This was found when I had to find a VA medical center because I didn't get my meds in time before I left. I had to verify my eligibility. In the process the lady asked me what gender I  identify as. Of course I said female. 

I suggest anyone who is having problems with their PCP or anyone at their VA medical facility. To contact the facility LGBT coordinator, each has one. 

Kymmie

I like my… well I’m not sure if he’s the LGBT coordinator or a transition counselor… but he’s awesome. I told him that he and endocrinology were the only ones using my correct name and pronouns (despite him adding them to the top of my file). 
 

His response was “Well… I’ll just schedule a facility-wide retraining then.” 🤭

[Phoenix]

On 9/11/2019 at 8:33 AM, KymmieL said:

I try to post up relevant information for us as veterans. My gyn told me that they may perform an  orchiectomy. Because it may help with hormone therapy, which they do provide.

Kymmie

I would love that. I’m beyond ready to be rid of them.

[KymmieL]

3 hours ago, Phoenix said:

I like my… well I’m not sure if he’s the LGBT coordinator or a transition counselor… but he’s awesome. I told him that he and endocrinology were the only ones using my correct name and pronouns (despite him adding them to the top of my file). 
 

His response was “Well… I’ll just schedule a facility-wide retraining then.” 🤭

I have had a couple clinics I go to refer by my given name. 2 yrs ago I did the recertification on my Bipap. Where I was called by my given name even though I was dressed as a female. OH, Well.

 

Kymmie

[Phoenix]

2 hours ago, KymmieL said:

I have had a couple clinics I go to refer by my given name. 2 yrs ago I did the recertification on my Bipap. Where I was called by my given name even though I was dressed as a female. OH, Well.

Kymmie

Yeah, it’s a process. I still need to get my finger prints done so I can send them to my lawyer to get the process of my name and gender marker change started.

[Jasmine702]

Hi, I am new here, and I have been looking to speak to someone for a long time at the VA, but I don't know who or which specialist I needed to talk to about getting on hormones.  I do have major depression, and I do speak to a  phycologist, and just started with a therapist. Is the therapist who I speak to about my Dysphoria. Or do I look for a therapist with the LGBT. Or is it Someone totally different? 

[Carolyn Marie]

2 hours ago, Jasmine702 said:

Hi, I am new here, and I have been looking to speak to someone for a long time at the VA, but I don't know who or which specialist I needed to talk to about getting on hormones.  I do have major depression, and I do speak to a  phycologist, and just started with a therapist. Is the therapist who I speak to about my Dysphoria. Or do I look for a therapist with the LGBT. Or is it Someone totally different? 

 

Jasmine, if you're talking with a therapist about your dysphoria, then that's where I would start.  Is that therapist with the VA?  If so, they should be familiar with the other resources you need to start HRT, if you and they agree that is the direction that's best for you.

 

Carolyn Marie

[Ivy]

I asked my primary care teem, and they referred me to a phycologist, who then referred me to the endocrinologist.  It took a little time, but went smoothly.

[Ivy]

But I should note, that I was already getting some HRT from planned Parenthood when I went to the VA.

[Bobbijean]

Thank you for all for posting to this forum.  As a retired service member, I confess to avoiding the VA.  But thanks to your encouragement, I have a requested an appointment next week to get the "ball rolling".

[Ivy]

33 minutes ago, Bobbijean said:

As a retired service member, I confess to avoiding the VA.  But thanks to your encouragement, I have a requested an appointment next week to get the "ball rolling".

The VA is far from perfect.  But it's been good for me.   They fixed my cataracts and my hernia, besides my HRT.

[KymmieL]

I would highly encourage anyone going to VA or even considering going to the VA to go. While like @Jandi has said. it isn't perfect but nothing in this world is. 

 

The VA has really embraced the LGBT community. When I go to the Cheyenne VA I feel accepted and cared for. It is a safe place for us. Those looking to start transition. Talk to your primary provider or mental health provider. That is what I did. I actually wrote a letter. I was just about done with my session with her. When she asked is there anything else you want to talk about. I gave her the letter. 

 

Wound up talking for another hour, she even called one of the gender specialists to come visit with me. That got the whole ball rolling. Only regret I have is not doing it sooner. 

 

Kymmie

[Marcie Jensen]

21 hours ago, KymmieL said:

I would highly encourage anyone going to VA or even considering going to the VA to go. While like @Jandi has said. it isn't perfect but nothing in this world is. 

 

The VA has really embraced the LGBT community. When I go to the Cheyenne VA I feel accepted and cared for. It is a safe place for us. Those looking to start transition. Talk to your primary provider or mental health provider. That is what I did. I actually wrote a letter. I was just about done with my session with her. When she asked is there anything else you want to talk about. I gave her the letter. 

 

Wound up talking for another hour, she even called one of the gender specialists to come visit with me. That got the whole ball rolling. Only regret I have is not doing it sooner. 

 

Kymmie

I've had a similar experience here in the Phoenix AZ area. I go to the North Scottsdale VA clinic, and the people there have always been accepting and affirming. They, too, got me started on transition. What's been really nice for me is that because I'm a military retiree and have TRICARE, what one doesn't cover the other one does.

 

Should have done this earlier.

[SheenaT]

1 hour ago, Marcie Jensen said:

I've had a similar experience here in the Phoenix AZ area. I go to the North Scottsdale VA clinic, and the people there have always been accepting and affirming. They, too, got me started on transition. What's been really nice for me is that because I'm a military retiree and have TRICARE, what one doesn't cover the other one does.

 

Should have done this earlier.

I so wish I had coverage for transition. 

[KymmieL]

12 hours ago, SheenaT said:

I so wish I had coverage for transition. 

Are you a veteran? If so I would first come out to your primary care provider. They can get you going in the right direction.

 

Kymmie

[Jane Paula Simmonds]

Well the VA has 30 days to answer the question or the lawsuit goes ahead https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Flinks.ei1.email.military.com%2Fctt%3Fm%3D10256093%26r%3DODUyMTE0NDY2NTgS1%26b%3D0%26j%3DMTg2MDQzNzE0MQS2%26k%3DNEWSLETTER%26kx%3D1%26kt%3D12%26kd%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.military.com%2Fdaily-news%2F2023%2F11%2F20%2Ftransgender-veterans-group-threatens-va-lawsuit-over-yearslong-delay-covering-surgeries.html%3FESRC%3Deb_231121.nl%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Deb%26utm_campaign%3D20231121%26fbclid%3DIwAR00M7izPt-I85BYBX3KLD_s1ZvuSZejc50YcuruYtVOvwgJDbQocsQFAac&h=AT28Kd9jlUtNhir2pD17wSKlDDPQNXs7n2Z_qwMEzEFhed1S7rgeFO0_RNXdNO9ey-PU70X950Y46HoBsplajIfGcIHpzJFZnDilTKURLSNb5unfUfYG-aPMMIWwYxvH787RlsGMfk_ioYU

[Jane Paula Simmonds]

In other words they are telling the VA to put up or shut up they will do GRS, and other surgerys for transgender veterans http://links.ei1.email.military.com/ctt?m=10256093&r=ODUyMTE0NDY2NTgS1&b=0&j=MTg2MDQzNzE0MQS2&k=NEWSLETTER&kx=1&kt=12&kd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.military.com%2Fdaily-news%2F2023%2F11%2F20%2Ftransgender-veterans-group-threatens-va-lawsuit-over-yearslong-delay-covering-surgeries.html%3FESRC%3Deb_231121.nl%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Deb%26utm_campaign%3D20231121

[Ashley0616]

That would be awesome. Heck I would love SRS Brazilian butt lift and a boob job. Liposuction and tummy tuck would be nice too but I doubt they would do all of that.