LGBTQ+ Veteran care
VA Houston health care employees receive training in clinical care that is responsive to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ Veterans. Our trained LGBTQ+ Veteran care coordinators are fully equipped to support the health, welfare, and dignity of you and your family.
Care we provide at VA Houston
We promote the health, welfare and dignity of all Veterans and their families. We focus on ensuring a safe and welcoming environment when providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like:
- Mental health services
- HIV and STI testing, counseling, and care, including PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for Veterans at risk for HIV
- Other prevention, screening, wellness, and testing services
Connect with a care coordinator
Hiram Rivera-Mercado, PsyD
LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator
VA Houston health care
Phone:
Email: hiram.rivera-mercado@va.gov
Mallorie Carroll, PhD
LGBTQ+ CBOC Care Coordinator
VA Houston health care
Phone:
Email: mallorie.carroll@va.gov
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 Houston maintains the confidentiality of information about sexual orientation and sexual behavior.
Changing name or sex in records: 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.
Support Groups
VA Houston’s LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator team and Whole Health have partnered to offer classes supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer Veterans’ well-being and personal development. These classes are virtual and open to all Veterans.
Pride and Courage
75-minute group providing education and support to all Veterans identifying as LGBTQ+. The focus of this group is supporting all LGBTQ+ Veterans in living their fullest lives as their authentic selves.
When: Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Where: Zoom platform, by referral
How to Join: Contact Hiram Rivera-Mercado, PsyD at 281-217-9028 or Hiram.Rivera-Mercado@va.gov
Support Group
When: 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: VVC platform, by referral
How to Join: Contact Mallorie Carroll, PhD at 281-796-2849 or Mallorie.Carroll@va.gov.
Fact Sheets
- Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Veteran Health Care
- Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Veteran Health Care
- Sexual Orientation and Sexual Health Veteran
Discharge Upgrade for LGBTQ+ and/or HIV positive Veterans
If you were other-than-honorably discharged due to your sexual orientation, identity, or HIV-status under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Policy, then you may be eligible for VA benefits. How to Apply for a Discharge Upgrade