LGBT Employment Program
VA is committed to a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace and understands
that diversity and inclusion are essential for a high-performing organization that
delivers the best service to our Nation's Veterans. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
(LGBT) community is an integral aspect of our human diversity. To that end, VA has
implemented several policies and programs addressing issues facing the LGBT community
and is helping VA employees and patients access benefits made available by changes
to Federal policy.
Federal Policy and Resources
LGBT Veterans and employees enjoy new VA benefits following the Supreme Court’s ruling on same sex marriage and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
For information, visit the Veterans Benefits Administration LGB Servicemembers and Veterans Web page. VA has also produced this Fact Sheet on VA Benefits and Services for Same-Sex Married Couples.
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Employee Policy and Resources
Since 2009, VA’s equal employment opportunity (EEO) protections have included
sexual orientation and gender identity in the
Secretary’s Annual EEO, Diversity, and No FEAR Policy Statement. To complement this, VA developed and implemented a
complaint process to provide employees with an avenue of redress for complaints
through the Office of Resolution Management. Additionally, transgender VA employees are protected from discrimination which includes protection while transitioning at work, access to sanitary facilities, and accurate documentation in employee files. The Department of Labor's
Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published this
Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
published this
Fact Sheet on Bathroom Access Rights for Transgender Employees Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
VA's Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is committed to increasing education
and awareness of the LGBT community by establishing a formal LGBT special emphasis
program, providing a VA-wide LGBT Observance Program in Washington, DC, and developing
cultural competency trainings for employees.
VA Handbook 5975.4, Transgender Employee Transition Guidance, is available on the VA Publications Web page.
For more information about LGBT employee-related resources, review the following:
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Veteran Policy and Resources
In the area of health care delivery, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is
committed to a patient-centered approach that organizes services around the needs
and values of LGBT Veterans. To that end, VA has enacted a variety of policies relating
to LGBT Veteran Care. To learn about these policies, review the following:
VA has instituted a policy to provide respectful delivery of health care to
transgender and intersex Veterans which includes use of self-identified name and pronoun, documentation
of sex in the computerized patient reporting system, hormone therapy, and pre/post-surgery medical care. For more
information about this policy, review the following:
Review the following LGBT Veteran Health Care Fact Sheets:
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Contact Us
Are you a VA employee who has questions or concerns about issues facing LGBT VA Employees? Send an e-mail to VA’s LGBT Workgroup
which addresses LGBT-related questions and concerns. A member of the Workgroup will review your
e-mail and make every effort to address your concern. The e-mail group is confidential;
even if your email is forwarded to another office for guidance, your name will be
omitted to protect your privacy. Try it!
If you are a Veteran, dependent, or support person and would like information about VA services for LGBT Veterans,
contact the LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator (LGBT VCC) at your local facility. For contact information for
the LGBT VCC at several facilities, visit the LGBT Program, Office of Patient Care Services Web site.
If you experience difficulties locating the LGBT VCC at your facility, please email the LGBT Program.
If you are in crisis, PLEASE call
the 24 hour Crisis Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 option 1 or
visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net.
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LGBT Employee Resources Group Startup Kit
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Program Links
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Related Links
Note: This page links to external information on the Internet. VA is not responsible
for the content or privacy policies of these Web sites, and linking to these sites
does not constitute endorsement by VA of the sites' sponsors or the information,
products, or services they provide.
