LGBTQ+ Veteran Care

Care we provide at VA San Francisco health care

We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of Veterans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identifying, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ+). 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: 

• Primary and specialty care
• Substance, alcohol, and tobacco use treatment
• Intimate partner violence reduction and treatment of after-effects
• Treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for Veterans at risk for HIV
• Military Sexual Trauma (MST) screening and treatment of after-effects
• Whole Health
• Cancer screening, prevention, and treatment

Mental health care

• Mental health care, including pre and post-surgical planning and support for surgeries performed outside of VA. Most mental health care can be accessed virtually, through a computer or mobile device from the comfort of your home or at your nearest VA health facility
• Mental health groups specifically designed to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ Veterans and peer support services with an LGBTQ+ Veteran peer
• Suicide prevention services - If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact Veterans Crisis Line to receive, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.Net/Chat

Policies and practices to know

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

Visitation: Veterans may choose anyone they like to be present with them, for emotional support, during hospital stays.

Definition of family: "Family" may include individual(s) not legally related to the individual. Family members include spouses, domestic partners, and 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. Advance directive agents are chosen by the Veteran and do not need to be biologically related.

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

Changing name in records: Your name in your medical record will reflect your legal name. If you change your legal name, you can request that your record be changed to reflect your legal name change. Use this link to learn how: How to Change Your Legal Name on File with VA