Dana Brunson has served as a social worker at VA for nearly 20 years. In 2016, she was appointed to a new position at her facility: LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC). This new work immediately became a passion and focus of Brunson’s career, as she became increasingly aware of the need for improved health care for LGBTQ+ Veterans.
Brunson currently leads VA’s LGBTQ+ VCC Program, working with more than 200 LGBTQ+ VCCs at VA medical facilities across the nation.
“LGBTQ+ VCCs serve as leaders, advocates and educators who work to ensure affirming and equitable health care for LGBTQ+ Veterans at VA,” explained Brunson. “LGBTQ+ VCCs raise awareness about the importance of assessing sexual orientation and gender identity as key factors in health outcomes for all Veterans. They are VA’s ambassadors to the LGBTQ+ Veteran community working to ensure LGBTQ+ Veterans choose VA to achieve their best health.”
Veterans contact the program seeking information about health care services provided to LGBTQ+ Veterans and how to access those resources. These Veterans often report gaps and barriers to care at their local facilities and request help navigating solutions. They also contact the VCCs when they have experienced hostile, discriminatory or harassing communication or behavior at a VA facility.
“VA working to ensure all Veterans feel welcome and affirmed at VA.”
“I am inspired by the devotion, resilience and progress made by LGBTQ+ VCCs in this challenging work. We all have a part in creating a culture that prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ Veterans and employees. Every LGBTQ+ Veteran’s experience is unique. VA is working to ensure that all Veterans consistently feel welcome and affirmed at VA,” Brunson added.
Some of the ways VA works to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ Veterans are:
- Ensuring there is at least one LGBTQ+ VCC at every VA medical facility
- Producing LGBTQ+ health awareness materials
- Prominently displaying LGBTQ+ signage that promotes a welcoming environment and explains why sexual orientation and gender identity matters in health care
- Educating staff on respectful communication and best practices in assessment and care for LGBTQ+ Veterans
Creating health equity for all
“I think LGBTQ+ Veterans have begun to experience the culture change VA is working toward, but it is a work in progress. LGBTQ+ VCCs do an excellent job creating a welcoming and affirming environment. They are reducing stigma that we know still exist in health care,” Brunson said.
When VA providers are sensitive to the unique experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ Veterans, VA can better help Veterans through routine and preventative care. When VA employees are intentional about creating an affirming environment where LGBTQ+ Veterans feel welcome and safe, the overall experience of LGBTQ+ Veterans at VA facilities is more positive.
White Ribbon VA can make a significant difference
“The White Ribbon VA movement is important to me and to the LGBTQ+ Health Program because it calls every VA employee to never commit, excuse or stay silent about sexual identity harassment or violence,” Brunson said.
LGBTQ+ Veterans and VA employees can search the LGBTQ+ VCC directory on VA’s national LGBTQ+ Health website or email the LGBTQ+ Health Program at vhalgbtq+health@va.gov to request the name and contact information for their local LGBTQ+ VCC.
For more information about how you can prevent instances of harassment at VA, or for access to additional resources, visit VHA Assault and Harassment Prevention Office Home (va.gov).
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I received a pamphlet from the VA that you cannot intentionally mis gender someone. What is the punishment if a patient intentionally mis genders someone?
Once again I must comment on this inefficiency of the VA. The VA is supposed to be here for Veterans. Not colored red white black or blue Veterans but Veterans. If they are gay so be it, but do Not dwell on them. They are Veterans. I am a Veteran. Forget about all the special Veterans, women gays Indigenous, brown black white or purple. We arena. We are Veterans, and your attitude toward special Veterans is making me feel inferior.
Why are these minority group being given special treatments? There should only be one and only equal treatment for all members. This only exacerbates hate and discontent in the military as a whole.
Im 77 and a vietnam era veteran and obviously a flag loving patriot.I love this country but I must honestly say Im so sad to see the path we’re on.To see all the attention given to the movement in this article and not to the veterans who lost their lives and limbs.I pray that as a country we regain our sanity and once again be the USA that I grew up in and cherish.
There is nothing “equitable” about the VA making up their own rules just to delay your claim through senseless denials, only to inform you after finally handing you your claim that they never applied any real rules to your claim.
Thanks VA! Now I can use all of my award towards court costs to appeal saving my home before I become homeless next month, that would have never been an issue had the VA applied promulgated rules to my claim in the first place.
Nearly half the MST claims are filed by men assaulted by men. This is difficult for them o come in contact with at a VA