We hope you are having a good summer and enjoying the sun while we have it!  

In this newsletter, you'll find information about how to update your name and gender identity. We recognize this is important for your own identity, but it's also important for us. This information, along with other identifying information like age and ethnicity, helps us understand the Veterans we serve and the services they need. 

If you haven't experimented it yet, the Virtual Hope Box app is a great resource for Veterans. The VA Portland Health Care System partnered with the Department of Defense to develop and test the app in 2018 and has been a resource ever since. 

Stop by and see us at upcoming community events that we'll be attending before winter sets in, including:  

Magic Festival
Sunday, August 20, 2023
1:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Warner Park, Madison, WI

Janesville PRIDE Impact Convention
Saturday, October 14, 2023
10:00 a.m.
Holiday Inn Express; 3100 Wellington Place; Janesville, WI

Wayne D Horner Memorial Homeless Stand Down-Madison
Saturday, October 21, 2023
8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Salvation Army of Dane County, Madison, WI

We also continue to provide staff training throughout the year, including:

Ongoing: LGBTQ+ Affirming Language Training
Presenter: Margo Edge, LCSW, LGBTQ+ Veterans Care Coordinator

Journal Club: Sexual and Gender Minority Suicide Rates and Prevention
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Presenters: Margo Edge, LCSW, LGBTQ+ Veterans Care Coordinator and Shannon Kostuck, LCSW, Suicide Prevention Coordinator

For general information about resources offered at the Madison VA Hospital and Clinics, visit our LGBTQ+ Veteran Care website. As always, I am here to help navigate LGBTQ+ resources and answer questions for you. Feel free to reach out any time.  

- Margo Edge, LCSW
LGBTQ+ Veterans Care Coordinator 

Gender-affirming prosthetics are medical devices for transgender and gender diverse Veterans to aid in feeling more comfortable with their bodies.

Worn on the outside of one’s body, they give a shape or look more in line with gender identity. They can help ease distress for those experiencing gender dysphoria (distress about the sex assigned at birth). Devices include chest binders, breast forms, gaffs, packers, stand-to-pee devices, dilators, wigs and more.

Speak to your health care team about submitting a gender-affirming prosthetics consult to discuss these devices. See our brochure for more information. 

The Virtual Hope Box app has helped many people, including Veterans, distract from unpleasant moments, relax after a long day and have an easily accessible way to revisit their best moments…all in one place!

The app is available for IOS and android devices and includes:

• Affirmations and positive quotes
• Sudoku and other puzzles
• Mindfulness exercises
• Space to create your favorite moments digitally by uploading pictures, videos and audio

Did you know Gilbert Baker, creator of the original rainbow flag, was a Veteran? 

According to the Gilbert Baker Foundation, he was born in Kansas and was a medic in the US Army.

Those close to Baker encouraged him to create a new symbol for the gay and lesbian movement when he was living in San Francisco. The original version had eight colors: pink (representing sex), red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), turquoise (magic), and purple (spirit).