VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VCB)
2018 LGBT Pride Month at VCB
LGBT Pride Month commemorative poster. (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs image)
2018 LGBT Pride Month at VCB
HARLINGEN, Texas -- LGBT Pride Month is held annually to honor the 1969 Stonewall Riots in Manhattan, and recognizes the importance of diversity within our society as well as the many achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.
North America is home to an estimated one million LGBT service members and Veterans who have served in the U.S. military, many of whom receive care within VA.
“During Pride Month, we not only want to recognize the service and contribution of LGBT Veterans, but we want to also bring awareness to the health disparities affecting the LGBT community,” said Jillian Shipherd, co-director for the VA’s LGBT Health Program. “On average, LGBT-identified Americans experience higher rates of some cancers, smoking, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and mental illness than their heterosexual or cisgender counterparts.”
“LGBT Veterans have served our country and deserve respectful, patient-centered care tailored to the individual needs—just like other Veterans. To echo our LGBT awareness poster, we serve all who served, and we want LGBT Veterans to feel welcomed at the VA,” said Michael Kauth, co-director for the VA’s LGBT Health Program.
What can I do to help?
Education and Training—Knowledgeable and informed providers make the best providers. To this end, VA offers multiple educational programs for clinical staff. See our LGBT Training page for a list of courses and learning opportunities.
- LGBT Veteran Fact Sheets – Help keep LGBT Veterans informed by providing important information about their unique health risks and relevant services offered by VA. Download a series of fact sheets for lesbian and bisexual women, gay and bisexual men, transgender women, and transgender men. Print all four fact sheets in color and distribute them to Veterans, display them in common areas of your facility, including the lobby, waiting rooms, reception areas, and/or cafeterias.
Resources for creating a welcoming environment for our LGBT Veterans can be found here.
- Stay Tuned! for Facebook updates and event announcements throughout the month on the VCB Facebook Page.
- Or, watch an LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator, discuss her role regarding the health risks and challenges being among LGBT Veterans.
VA is working toward becoming a national leader in LGBT health care for Veterans, and strives to maintain a sensitive, respectful, and welcoming environment in its health care facilities.
For more information, please visit https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT, or e-mail VALGBTProgram@va.gov.
For more resources to celebrate LGBT Pride Month at your facility see the VA LGBT Pride page at http://vaww.infoshare.va.gov/sites/LGBEducation/SitePages/Pride%202016.aspx .
About the author: Dr. Chandra Nicole Strange, PhD is a licensed psychologist. She is part of the Virtual PTSD Treatment Team and the LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator for VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Healthcare System (VCB). 
| VA LGBT Health Care mini poster. Reach out others, reach out to us. VA is here. LGBT Veterans have an increased risk of suicide. Veterans Crisis Line: 1800-273-8255 and Press 1. (VA info graphic.) |
