LGBTQ+ Veteran care

Connect with a care coordinator

Care we provide at VA Black Hills health care

We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of Veterans who identify as lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+) or a related identity. We focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment when providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like:

• Gender-affirming therapies, including hormone treatment
• Pre-surgical evaluations for gender affirming surgery
• Necessary post-operative care for those who have undergone gender affirming surgery
• LGBTQ2S+ Resiliency Group
• Substance use/alcohol treatment
• Tobacco use treatment
• Treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for Veterans at risk for HIV
• Intimate partner violence reduction and treatment of after effects
• Military sexual trauma screening and treatment of after effects
• Suicide prevention services 
• Whole Health
• Cancer screening, prevention and treatment
• Virtual Mental Health Care: Veterans can connect with a VA mental health provider through a computer or mobile device from the comfort of their homes or at their nearest VA health facility
• Reproductive health services, including contraception, family building, specialty gynecology care, pregnancy care, menopause management
• Infertility: VA is committed to helping Veterans navigate challenges that may arise from issues with fertility and the conception of a child

More information can be found here on LGBTQ+ Health at VA and resources.

Policies and practices to know

The care coordinator can help you get started with care or with navigating any of these issues.

Visitation: A same-sex partner, family member, friend, or other individual can be present with the patient for emotional support during the course of the patient's stay.

Definition of family: "Family" may include individual(s) not legally related to the individual. Family members include spouses, domestic partners, different-sex and same-sex significant others.

Advance directives: Veterans may designate any person as a decision-maker for care if they won't be able to make these decisions themselves. This includes same-sex partners. Advance directive agents are chosen by the Veteran and do not need to be biologically related.

Documentation in medical records: VA Black Hills maintains the confidentiality of information about sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and gender identity, just like any other private health information.

Changing name or sex in records: Your name in your medical record will reflect your legal name. The sex in your medical record should reflect your self-identified gender. You have the right to request that your name and sex are updated as appropriate. There are established procedures for changing your name and sex with the VA Privacy Officer.

HOW TO CONTACT US VIA EMAIL

If you have any questions or want to talk with our experts, our email address is :

VHABHHCSLGBTQ@VA.gov