VA Pacific Islands Health Care System

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Veteran Care

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VHA) is committed to providing quality care to all Veterans including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Veterans. Excellent care has no boundaries.

VA Pacific Islands Health Care System seeks to promote the health, welfare, and dignity of LGBT Veterans and their families. We are committed to making sensitive and high quality health care accessible. Our policies and practices focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and affirmative environment of care for LGBT Veterans. Our employees receive training in clinically competent care that is responsive to the unique needs of LGBT Veterans.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Related Identities (LGBT) Veterans

VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VA PIHCS) seeks to promote the health, welfare, and dignity of LGBT Veterans and their families. We are committed to making sensitive and high quality health care accessible. Our policies and practices focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and affirmative environment of care for LGBT Veterans. Our employees receive training in clinically competent care that is responsive to the unique needs of LGBT Veterans.

VA LGBT Policies          Coming Out to Your Health Care Provider            Commonly Asked Questions

Healthcare Equality Index

VA PIHCS participates in the Human Rights Campaign's Healthcare Equality Index, which evaluates facilities related to equity and inclusion to LGBT patients, visitors, and employees.

We earned Leader Status in 2020 earning a top score of 100/100.

Overview of Program and Services

Sexual and gender minority Veterans have faced stigma and discrimination, which can affect health. As a healthcare institution, we are working to make sure that Veterans with LGBT and related identities know that they are welcome at VA and get the full range of healthcare they need. We offer affirming primary care, mental health, specialty care services, prosthetics, health education, evaluations for gender-affirming procedures, and care coordination.

 

Standards for Care for Transgender Health                                 Suicide Prevention

 

Caregiver Support                                 Mental Health Services                          Patient Advocacy

Resources

• Step by Step Guide to Legally Changing Your Name or Gender in HI
• Gender Neutral Option for Hawaii Driver’s License
• Hawaii Department of Health Sexual and Gender Minority Resource Hub
• Domestic Violence Action Center LGBTQ+ Advocacy Program
• Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation Resource List

LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC) Program

As of March 2016, each VA facility has a local LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC) who is appointed by their facility leadership. The VCC is responsible for promoting best practices for serving LGBT Veterans and connecting LGBT Veterans to services.

Health Information

To learn important information about the unique health risks of LGBT Veterans, download these relevant fact sheets. Here you can also find information about relevant services offered by VA.