VA now able to serve same-sex couples in every state

With the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, the Veterans Administration announced that they would now be able to recognize the same-sex marriage of all veterans, regardless of where they live in the United States. Previously, the law required that same-sex couples have their marriage recognized in the state where they lived to be eligible for couple benefits.

The agency said, “VA will work quickly to ensure that all offices and employees are provided guidance on implementing this important decision with respect to all programs, statutes, and regulations administered by VA. Until this guidance has been issued, VA will temporarily wait to adjudicate all claims regarding same-sex marriage that cannot be immediately granted based on prior guidance.”

The VA’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is leading the effort to increase education and awareness of the LGBT community within the VA by establishing a formal LGBT special emphasis program. To enhance that program, an LGBT employee resource group under the auspices of the VA Diversity Council was also established.

ODI holds annually nationally broadcast VA-wide LGBT Observance Program in Washington, DC in June focusing on LGBT Veterans.  Additionally, we are developing cultural competency training in this area for employees, supervisors, and managers, nationally throughout the VA system.

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 the LGBT Veterans. To that end, in 2010, VA issued a policy statement providing for patient visitation rights in support of the needs of LGBT family members. VHA issued a policy directive on respectful delivery of health care to transgender and intersex individuals, and is currently providing training for health care providers on services for transgender Veterans.

In 2013, VA’s commitment to LGBT Healthcare resulted in 120 VA’s participating in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Health Equity Index (HEI) almost 80%, which was voluntary participation. An impressive 91 of those facilities reporting or 76% were awarded HEI 2013 Equality Leader status.

Instructions to employees stress the agency’s core values, saying, “Each VA employee who interacts with Veteran patients is expected to demonstrate our core values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence. As public servants, VA employees have an obligation to remain respectful and courteous to all patients without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability or sexual orientation, and gender identity. VA will continue to ensure that we provide an environment where veterans can receive the health care and benefits they have earned.”

According to the VA, they are committed to a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. According to their website, “the VA “Understands that diversity and inclusion are essential for a high performing organization that delivers the best service to our Veterans.

Their webpage on LGBT inclusion states, “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 over the last few years that specifically address the needs and concerns of the LGBT community. Since 2009, VA has included equal employment opportunity protections for employees on the basis of sexual orientation in the Secretary’s Annual EEO, Diversity, and No FEAR Policy Statement which added protections based on gender identity and parental status as well.”

To complement the policy, VA developed and implemented an internal complaint process to provide employees with an internal avenue of redress for complaints based on these areas.

If you are a VA employee, veteran, dependent, or support person who has questions or concerns about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender (LGBT) issues, VA’s newly organized LGBT Workgroup has established an LGBT e-mail group to address questions or concerns regarding LGBT issues. The e-mail address is LGBTWorkgroup@va.gov. Send your e-mail to this address and a member of the Workgroup will review your e-mail and make every effort to get you a response or address your concern. The e-mail group is confidential; even if your email is forwarded to another office for guidance or a response, your name will be omitted to protect your privacy. Try it!

If you determine that your needs are urgent, or if you are a Veteran in crisis, PLEASE call the 24 hour Crisis Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 option 1 or please visit www.veteranscrisisline.net.

_{The Gayly – August 4, 2015 @ 11:30am}