You’re invited to the 4th annual VA National Virtual Pride Campaign

Beginning on June 3, 2024, and lasting all month, VA’s Office of Resolution Management, Diversity, and Inclusion invites all employees, military-connected community partners and Veterans to join us in the celebration of PRIDE month by attending the 4th annual VA National Virtual PRIDE 2024. 

The event is a great way for the community to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community, as well as medical advances, services and benefits offered by VA, legal issues, and other relevant topics. VA has adopted the slogan, “Pride Counts at VA,” and this year’s VA National Virtual Pride theme of “Limitless. Overcome. Visible. Empowered.” takes that slogan a step further by providing trainings and presentations on LGBTQ+ diversity, adversity and the relentless spirit of the LGBTQ+ community to fight for equality. 

Now in its fourth year, with employees from various facilities nationwide, the VA National Virtual PRIDE event encourages participation by any person wishing to support the event(s) in a positive and safe environment. During the month of June 2024, presentations will be offered online to allow anywhere access.

VA program information

VA National Virtual PRIDE will run the entire month of June 2024. At the time of publication, the list of presentations includes:

• June 3, 10:45 to 11:00 a.m. ET:  VA National Virtual Pride Opening Ceremonies. VA National Virtual Pride Leadership will deliver opening remarks and kick off 2024 VA National Virtual Pride. Visit the website to register.
• June 3, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET: Inside the Minds of LGBTQ+ People + SOGIE 101. In order to better serve our LGBTQ+ Veterans and develop better working relationships with our LGBTQ+ employees, it is important to have a basic understanding of what it means to be LGBTQ+. This presentation will focus on key areas that LGBTQ+ individuals face on a daily basis in the U.S., from legal protections, safety, health and employment. The presentation will also cover the basics of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Visit the website to register.
• *June 4, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET: Marriage Equality in the United States. This is the true story of a gay couple’s struggle to be recognized together as the parents of four multiracial children. From their personal commitment to each other in 1991 to an emotional roller coaster adoption process, including health care concerns and a journey to the Supreme Court of the United States of America, this is a personal adventure to build a family of dreams and be recognized as any other American family, along with all associated rights and responsibilities. CEUs are available for this presentation. Visit the website to register.
• June 6, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET: Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in the LGBTQ+ Community. The LGBTQ+ community is more likely to be impacted by the use or experience of violence in relationships. At the same time, they are also more likely to experience provider bias or discomfort in exploring their relationships. They may also have a history of experiencing bias in health care settings and have less trust in providers to address their needs. LGBTQ+ folks may also have less resources for seeking safety, and less family support than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. In this training we will address the additional ways LGBTQ+ individuals may experience IPV that may not impact heterosexual or cisgender folks and ways providers can create a safe and affirming environment to address IPV in a health care setting. Visit the website to register.
• *June 10, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET: Updates in HIV and STI Care. This talk will be an update on where we are with respect to ending the HIV epidemic as well as updates on new developments in HIV care/prevention. It also includes STIs and how they intersect with LGBTQ+ health. CEUs are available for this presentation. Visit the website to register.
• June 11, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET:  Back to basics of Veteran & Provider communication: An LGBTQ case study in practice. This presentation uses an example patient encounter with an LGBTQ patient to highlight best practices for creating inclusive environments for all Veterans. Through the case study, participants will learn about terms and language commonly used in treating LGBTQ Veterans. Participants will also gain brief exposure to health conditions LGBTQ Veterans may be at greater risk for than their heterosexual counterparts and why the disparity exists. Visit the website to register.
• *June 11, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET:  Why Inclusive and Affirmative Language Matters. This introductory training will focus on key concepts related to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) community with emphasis on why inclusive and affirmative language matters in health care. CEUs are available for this presentation. Visit the website to register.
• June 12, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET: National Cemetery Administration honors eligible Veterans, active duty service members and eligible family members with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our Nation. Attendees will learn more about free burial and memorial benefits for same-sex marriages; how to determine eligibility; how to reverse a dishonorable or other than dishonorable discharge for being gay; choose from more than 150 national cemeteries in the nation; learn how to memorialize Veterans; learn about cemetery restoration. Visit the website to register.
• *June 13, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET:  Bisexual Visibility and Contribution to LGBTQ+ Diversity. It has been estimated that bisexuality is one of the most common non-heterosexual identities. Unfortunately, non-monosexual (Bi+) identities are often stigmatized, lack visibility and are associated with multiple health disparities. This presentation will provide information about bisexual identities, challenges faced by non-monosexual persons, and ways that health care providers can offer care that is affirming. The training will also examine ways that non-monosexual identities challenge the binary of “gay or straight,” as non-binary identities challenge the gender binary, inviting us all to expand our paradigms of diversity related to gender, sexuality and relationship orientation. CEUs are available for this presentation.  Visit the website to register.
• June 13, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET: Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act: 15 Years Later. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is a landmark United States federal law, passed on Oct. 22, 2009, and signed into law by President Barack Obama on Oct. 28, 2009, as a rider to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010 (H.R. 2647). Conceived as a response to the murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr., both in 1998, the measure expands the 1969 United States federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. This presentation will look at hate crimes in the U.S. since the passage of this piece of legislation. Visit the website to register.
• June 17, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET: Distinctions between the LGBTQ+ VCC and SEPM roles. This is a joint presentation led by VHA’s LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordination Program manager and VHA’s Special Emphasis Program manager who will discuss the roles and responsibilities of LGBTQ+ VCCs and LGBTQ+ SEPMs. Presenters will discuss differences and intersections of both roles and ways they can collaborate to improve the health and experiences of LGBTQ+ Veterans and employees. Visit the website to register.
• *June 18, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET: Deconstructing De-transitioning. This presentation will focus on exploring current narratives about gender transition and de-bunking the myths associated with de-transitioning. Participates will be able to do the following at the end of the presentation: Define gender transition and de-transition; explore personal biases and social narratives that negatively impact perception of transitioning and potential de-transition; identify influencing factors to de-transitioning; have skills to address fears and concerns associated with the potential of de-transitioning. CEUs are available for this presentation. Visit the website to register.
• June 20, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET: Native American History and Two Spirited presentation. The following presentation will include history of Native Americans, Veterans who served and the history of our people. This will also include the history of our two-spirited people and what roles they played in the tribal make-up and how they were viewed by other tribal members. Visit the website to register.
• *June 24, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET: Understanding the Use: Substance Use Within the LGBTQ+ Veteran Population. This training was developed to give a glimpse into common substance use practices within the LGBTQ+ Veteran population. This training will take you on a journey to aid in both destigmatization of substance use within this marginalized population while also gaining skills and knowledge to better assess and address substance use in an affirming and Veteran centric manner. CEUs are available for this presentation. Visit the website to register.
• June 25, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET: LGBTQ+ Health Program and relevant services. Visit the website to register.
• June 26, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET: Native Pride: The Story of the Two Spirit. This presentation defines the loose definition of a two spirit in Native culture. The presenter will also discuss the traditional roles and responsibilities of the two spirit. Also to be highlighted are how two spirits were treated throughout history and how they represent themselves in today’s world. Information is provided about two-spirit Pow Wows around the country. Time is allowed at the end of the presentation for questions from the listening audience. Visit the website to register.
• *June 26, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. ET: Enhancing Gender Affirming Care through Prosthetic Items: A Guide for VA Staff. This training will focus on identifying and determining appropriate gender affirming prosthetics for transgender and/or gender diverse Veterans. Participants will be able to identify clinical considerations for prosthetic use, barriers and challenges to obtaining prosthetic items, and explore solutions to said barriers. CEUs are available for this presentation. Visit the website to register.
• *June 27, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET: QIA: Queer, Intersex, and Asexual. An overview of the lesser discussed identities in the LGBTQIA+ acronym, this presentation aims to expand awareness and cultural competencies around queer, intersex, and asexual identities. Gain insight into clinical implications, appropriate verbiage and some common life experiences. Engage in discussion on best practices for affirming care and learn how to best care for the needs of often overlooked members of the LGBTQIA+ community. CEUs are available for this presentation. Visit the website to register.
• June 27, 12:00 to 12:15 p.m. ET: VA National Virtual Pride 2024 Closing Ceremonies. VA National Virtual Pride Leadership will deliver closing remarks and bring the 2024 VA National Virtual Pride event to a close. Visit the website to register.

All presentations are during the day and can be accessed online. Registration is required. Individuals interested in attending may use the links provided in this article to register and access the presentations. Beginning May 1, 2024, VA National Virtual Pride 2024 information will be available at www.va.gov/ORMDI.

For more information about VA National Virtual Pride 2024, please contact Lynn Berry at Lynn.Berry@va.gov or Ronald Piaseczny at Ronald.Piaseczny@va.gov.