Syracuse VA Medical Center

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.

Syracuse VA Medical Center 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 and Transgender  (LGBT) Veterans

 

The Syracuse VA Medical Center is a recognized Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization.

Syracuse Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic (BHOC) offers individual therapy for Veterans identifying as LGBT. Staff are provided with annual LGBT sensitivity training, as well as a Transgender Mental Health Services training. Additional services included family and couples therapy for LGBT Veterans. Therapy is available for Veterans wanting to explore their sexual orientation/identity further.  The LGBT population is also welcome to receive other treatment modalities based on their needs.

Local Resources:

Syracuse VA Medical Center offers Affirmative Psychotherapy Services

Syracuse University: LGBT Resource Center
750 Ostrom Avenue, Syracuse, NY, 13244-4350
lgbt.syr.edu 
Telephone 315-443-3983
E-mail lgbt@syr.edu
 

Transgender Alliance of Central New York
E-mailinfo@tgacny.net

 

 

The Syracuse VA Medical Center is committed to providing top quality care to all Veterans including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Veterans. We recognize that diverse populations have distinctive needs, and are training our staff in culturally and clinically-competent care for LGBT Veterans. We are focused on providing the most respectful health care environment possible.

The Syracuse VA Medical Center embraces the national policies that guarantee access for LGBT Veterans in the tri-state area. These policies (and more) are available to download from this website. We encourage LGBT Veterans and families to be aware of these rights as you seek care at Syracuse VA Medical Center .

Below are relevant policies and services:

Non-Discrimination

Our Patient Non-Discrimination Policy has specific language that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity (actual and perceived).

Syracuse VA Medical Center Definition of "Family"

The Syracuse VA Medical Center  adopts the definition of "family" put forth by the Human Rights Campaign's National Healthcare Equality Index. "Family" refers to any person(s) who plays a significant role in an individual's life. This may include individual(s) not legally related to the individual. Members of "family" include spouses, domestic partners, and both different-sex and same-sex significant others.

Advanced Directives

Patients may designate any person as a decision-maker for care should you become unable to make these decisions yourself. This includes designating a same-sex partner as a surrogate decision maker. Advanced Directive agents are chosen by the Veteran and do not need to be biologically related. Please inform staff if you desire to create an Advance Directive.

Documentation in Medical Records

The Syracuse VA Medical Center maintains the confidentiality of information about sexual orientation and sexual behavior, as it does with all other private health information. We encourage you to inform your Healthcare provider of your sexual orientation/gender identity so appropriate care can be provided.

Changing Your Name and/or Sex in Your Medical Record

Your name in the 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 name and sex are updated as appropriate. There are established procedures for changing your name and sex with the VA Privacy Officer. If you would like a copy of the fact sheet on how to change your name and/or sex in CPRS, please let your health care provider know so they can obtain a copy for you.

Concerns and/or Complaints

If you feel you are not being provided with compassionate care at theSyracuse VA Medical Center , we encourage you to make your concerns known to your Provider and/or a Patient Advocate.

Helpful Links for LGBT Veterans

LGBT Veteran Resources*

• American Veterans for Equal Rights
• Outserve / Service Members Legal Defense Network

National Resources for Transgender Veterans*

• Changing your name and gender in Medical Records Kits
• VA National Policy on Transgender Care
• International Foundation for Gender Education
• National Center for Transgender Equality
• Traveler Information for Transgender Travelers from the TSA
• 10 Things Transgender Persons Should discuss with Their Healthcare Care Provider

LGBT Health Resources*

• CDC LGBT Health Page
• American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts for Gay & Bisexual Men
• American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts for Lesbian & Bisexual Women
• 10 Things Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals and Transgender Persons Should discuss with Their Healthcare Provider

* Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked Websites. The link will open in a new window

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.