LGBTQ+

Lynn Berry helped found Virtual PRIDE at VA in 2021, an LGBTQ+ event aimed at promoting inclusion among VA employees and the Veterans we serve.

Tammy Smith struggled to hide her sexuality while serving in the Army. She became the highest-ranking openly gay officer after DADT was repealed in 2011.

Kimberly Stuart used the challenges she faced during her service to help other Veterans, so they can have pride for all aspects of their identity.

Women Veterans experience a high prevalence of trauma. A May 26 provider webinar will discuss women Veterans and trauma-informed care.

VA’s Office of Health Equity champions the advancement of health equity and the reduction of health disparities in Veterans.

Army Veteran Carolyn Dusty Pruitt served in the Women’s Army Corps and later in the Army Reserve. While in the Reserve, she attended seminary school after feeling called to become a pastor. In 1983, Pruitt gave an interview to the Los Angeles Times about the “Gay, God conflict,” and her commander in the Reserve began an investigation that resulted in Pruitt being discharged.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Rupert Starr who became a prisoner of war (POW) in Germany during World War II and later became a well-known LGBTQ+ activist.

Cristina Frisby was forced to leave the U.S. Naval Academy when her ill health led to unexpected questioning of her sexual orientation. Despite Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Frisby later joined the California National Guard and served in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Clifton Arnesen enlisted to escape his troubled childhood but was discharged due to his sexuality. Later he became an advocate for LGBT troops.

Halli Lannan knows she’s not your usual image of a fashion model. That’s why she walked the runway during Fashion Week. With two master’s degrees, her Ph.D. dissertation has been slowed by chemotherapy.