|
 Transgender Day of Visibility March 31, 2023
Be Visible in Your Support. VA proudly observes Transgender Day of Visibility
The LGBTQ+ Health Program introduces this year’s theme, Be Visible in Your Support. VA serves all who served and is committed to being a health care leader for LGBTQ+ Veterans by providing affirming, high-quality care for transgender and gender diverse Veterans, including routine health services and many gender-affirming treatments. Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). This annual awareness day is dedicated to the accomplishments of transgender and gender-diverse people while raising awareness about health equity. TDOV is celebrated worldwide to highlight the work that still needs to be done to achieve transgender equity.
NEW VIDEO:
Veteran Care Coordinators on Transgender and Gender Diverse Visibility at VA
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.
|
|
|
VHA SERVICES FOR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER-DIVERSE VETERANS
For the best person-centered and personalized care, your VHA health care providers should know your gender identity along with other personal health information. Discussing your identity should lead your provider to ask specific questions about you and offer needed health screenings.
Veterans with transgender and gender-diverse identities should know about specialized services available through VA.
-
VA Transgender & Gender Diverse E-Consults.
Veterans can get a second opinion on gender-affirming treatment planning when their provider puts in an E-consult. Any VA provider can get a consultation from an interdisciplinary team of experts in treating transgender and gender-diverse Veterans. The expert team will review the medical record and answer the provider's questions. Veterans can read the flyer and discuss it with their providers.
-
Gender Affirming Program with Speech (GAPS).
The way we communicate helps to define who we are. For many, a desired voice and communication style is key to gaining acceptance in their gender. Speech-Language Pathologists are trained to help in gender-affirming voice treatment, which targets voice, speech, language, and non-verbal communication. Research has shown that skills learned with a Speech-Language Pathologist can increase satisfaction with voice and communication while reducing the risk of developing vocal strain. Veterans can read the flyer and discuss it with their providers.
-
Gender Affirming Services for Veterans.
VA provides a wide range of treatments to all eligible Veterans. Gender-affirming transition-related care plans are personalized based on your goals and your health. Talk to your treatment team to see if these services are right for you. Care includes hormone treatment, fertility and family planning, and prosthetics
|
|
|
NEW Veteran Health Care information
The LGBTQ+ Health Program would like to share two new Fact Sheets for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and providers. Read them for helpful information about health care and prevention. The Fact Sheets can be downloaded, shared, and printed.
These and other helpful Fact Sheets can be found here:
www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VA_LGBT_Outreach.asp
|
|
|
|
