As we conclude Pride Month, I am thinking of our mission statement at Homes for the Brave. We do this work “to provide Veterans and their families with the support and the resources needed to thrive.” When we talk about what it means to serve all of those who have served us, we must remember the over one million LGBTQ+ Veterans who have served in all branches of the military, almost always facing exclusion, invisibility, and discrimination.
Veterans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer experience high rates of military sexual trauma and abuse during their service, and they develop PTSD more often than other Veterans. LGBTQ+ Veterans also have a higher risk of suicide and other poor health outcomes than their peers. (VA)
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are also much more likely to experience homelessness than their peers, especially among younger people. Approximately 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+, which is true of younger Veterans as well as civilians. (National Coalition for the Homeless)
So what can we do to support these Veterans?
First, we can respect and celebrate LGBTQ+ Veterans’ service, recognizing that many of them served honorably in spite of the discrimination they faced. The Library of Congress has a project called Serving in Silence that honors the experiences of these Veterans. You can read and watch their stories here
At Homes for the Brave, we aim to honor all Veterans, and we are working to ensure that all of the services we offer are available to LGBTQ+ Veterans and their families. Our transitional housing programs at Homes for the Brave and Madaras House serve transgender and gender non-conforming Veterans, respecting their gender identity. Our Veterans Service Center embraces all Veteran families, including LGBTQ+ households. Our Clinical Treatment Program provides LGBTQ+ affirming clinical services.
It is my hope that we can continue to work to serve all Veterans and their families and remain humble enough to listen to the Veterans we serve as we continue our mission to help them thrive. If you have any questions or thoughts about how we can better serve our community, please reach out to us.
With Gratitude for all who have served,
Maria Satterwhite-Porpora
COO, Homes for the Brave