Elder LGBT Veterans and Service Members

Miller, Thomas W.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-03623-6_11

Thomas W. Miller³

70k Accesses

Abstract

This chapter explores the experiences and status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older veterans and service members. Examined are the history and background of LGBT veterans, the efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the recognition and needs of these service members and veterans, and the creation of the VA Office of Diversity and Inclusion (US Department of Veterans Affairs, 2014 VA Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan for FY 2012–2016) and key policies and procedures that have addressed the discriminatory practices that have been a part of the military and post military experiences of LGBT individuals. A meta-analysis of elder LGBT veterans and military personnel is offered as are mental health and psychosocial adjustment issues for LGBT elder veterans. Discussed is the Transitional Accommodation Syndrome providing insight into understanding the process faced by LGBT veterans. Finally, clinical considerations with elderly LGBT veterans are offered as are a set of resources and references that may be beneficial for further inquiry into understanding of the issues faced by LGBT veterans across the life span.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Chapter: USD 29.95; Price excludes VAT (USA)

eBook: USD 89.00; Price excludes VAT (USA)

Softcover Book: USD 119.00; Price excludes VAT (USA)

Hardcover Book: USD 119.99; Price excludes VAT (USA)

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (Vol. 5). Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association. (Text Revision).
Google Scholar
Cáceres, C.F., Konda, K., Segura, E.R., & Lyerla, R. (2008, Aug). Epidemiology of male same-sex behavior and associated sexual health indicators in low- and middle-income countries: 2003–2007 estimates. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 84(1), i49–i56. doi: 10.1136/sti.2008.030569.
Google Scholar
Cook-Daniels, L. (1998). Lesbian, gay male, bisexual and transgendered elders: Elder abuse and neglect issues. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 9(2), 35-49. Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J084v09n02_04
Google Scholar
D’Augelli, A., & Grossman, A. (2001). Disclosure of sexual orientation, victimization, and mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16(10), 1008–1027. Available at: http://jiv.sagepub.com/content/16/10/1008
Department of Veterans Affairs. (2014). VA Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan for FY 2012–2016. Washington, D.C. Available at: http://www.diversity.va.gov/products/diar.aspx
Department of Veterans Affairs. (2015). Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). Washington, D.C. Available at: http://www.diversity.va.gov/programs/lgbt.aspx
Department of Veterans Affairs. (2013). Federally mandated reports: DVA Reports Achieves. Washington, D.C. Available at: http://www.diversity.va.gov/products/reports.aspx
Department of Veterans Affairs. (2012). VA benefits for elderly veterans. Washington, D.C. Available at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/veteran-elderly.asp
Frazer, S. (2009). LGBT Health and Human Services needs in New York State. Albany, NY: Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation. Available at: http://www.prideagenda.org/Portals/0/pdfs/LGBT%20Health%20and%20Human%20Services%20Needs%20in%20New%20York%20State.pdf
Grant, J.M., Mottet, L.A., Tanis, J., Harrison, J., Herman, J.L., & Keisling, M. (2011). Injustice at every turn: A report of the national transgender discrimination survey. Washington, D.C.: National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Google Scholar
Gates, M.A. (2010). Post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans and military personnel: Epidemiology, screening, and case recognition. Psychological Services, 9(4), 361–382.
Google Scholar
Gates, G. (2011). How many people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender? Williams Institute: UCLA School of Law. Available at: http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Gates-How-Many-People-LGBT-Apr-2011.pdf
Gonzalez, K. A., Rostosky, S. S., Odom, R. D., & Riggle, E. D. B. (2013). The positive aspects of being a parent of an LGBTQ child. Family Process, 52(2), 325–337.
Article Google Scholar
Israel, T., Gorcheva, R., Burnes, T. R., & Walther, W. A. (2008). Helpful and unhelpful therapy experiences of LGBT clients. Psychotherapy Research, 18(3), 294–305.
Article Google Scholar
Legal Policy Department of the Campaign for Military Service. (1993).
Google Scholar
Mattocks, K. M., Kauth, M. R., Sandfort, T., Matza, A. R., Sullivan, J. C., & Shipherd, J. C. (2014). Understanding health-care needs of sexual and gender minority veterans: How targeted research and policy can improve health. LGBT Health, 1(1), 50–57.
Google Scholar
Miller, T. W. (1989). Stressful life events. New York: International Universities Press Inc.
Google Scholar
Miller, T. W. (Ed.). (2010). Handbook of stressful transitions across the life span. New York: Springer Publishers Incorporated.
Google Scholar
Miller, T.W. (Ed.). (2012). Praeger handbook of Veterans’ Health: Volume III: Mental health: Treatment and rehabilitation. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger ABC-CLIO Publishers. ISBN 978-0-313-38349-6; eISBN 978-0-313-38350-2.
Google Scholar
Movement Advancement Project. (2009). Snapshot advancing gender equality. Available at: http://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/resources/resource.cfm?r=501
Movement Advancement Project, Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders, & Center for American Progress. (2010a). LGBT older adults and inhospitable health care environments. Available at: http://sageusa.org/uploads/lgbt_environments.pdf
Movement Advancement Project, Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders, & Center for American Progress. (2010b). LGBT older adults: Facts at a Glance. Available at: http://lgbtagingcenter.org/resources/resource.cfm?r=22
MetLife Mature Market Institute, Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network (ASA), & Zogby International. (2006). Out and aging: The MetLife study of lesbian and gay baby boomers. MetLife: New York. Available at: http://www.metlife.com/assets/cao/mmi/publications/studies/mmi-out-aging-lesbian-gayretirement.pdf
National Academy on an Aging Society (GSA), & SAGE. (2011). Integrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults’ into aging policy and practice. Public Policy and Aging Report, 21(3), 1–36. Available at: http://www.sageusa.org/uploads/PPAR%20Summer20111.pdf
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2015). Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses. Bethesda, Maryland. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2015). The science of drug abuse and addiction. Bethesda, Maryland. Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/
Riggle, E. D. B., Whitman, J. S., Olson, A., Rostosky, S. S., & Strong, S. (2008). The positive aspects of being a lesbian or gay man. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(2), 210–217.
Article Google Scholar
Service Women’s Action Network. (n.d.). After repeal: LGBT service members and veterans—The facts. New York, NY: Author.
Google Scholar
Shelton, K., & Delgado-Romero, E.A. (2013). Sexual orientation microaggressions: The experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer clients in psychotherapy. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 1(S), 59–70.
Google Scholar
Simmons, H., & White, F. (2014). Our many selves. In L. Erickson-Schroth (Ed.), Trans bodies, trans selves: A resource for the transgender community (pp. 3–23). New York: Oxford.
Google Scholar
Shipherd, J.C., & Kauth, M.R. (2014, August 8). LGBT Veteran health care is coming out of the closet. Washington, D.C: American Psychological Association.
Google Scholar

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to acknowledge the guidance and assistance of James C. Holsinger MD PhD, University of Kentucky and former Chief Medical Director Department of Veterans Affairs; Monica Roy PhD VA medical Center and NE VA HealthCare, Boston MA; Katie Miller, Research Assistant for the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress; Andrew Cray, Policy Analyst for the LGBT Research and Communications Project. Special appreciation is extended to Jillian C. Shipherd, PhD National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, and Michael R. Kauth, PhD with the VHA South Central (VISN 16) Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX; and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, for their guidance and resources in the completion of this chapter.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

University of Connecticut, Mansfield, USA
Thomas W. Miller

Authors

Thomas W. Miller
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas W. Miller .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Debra A. Harley
University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Pamela B. Teaster

Appendices

Resources

US Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)
Jillian C. Shipherd, PhD Michael R. Kauth, PhD. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Program Coordinators Office of Patient Care Services (10P4Y) at VA Central Office, Washington, DC
VHA Office of Health Equity, Washington, DC
Case-Based Transgender E-Consultation with Department of Veterans Affairs
Three regional Transgender E-Consultation programs: Loma Linda, CA (VISN 22), Minneapolis, MN (VISN 23), Tucson, AZ (VISN 18)
VHA Transgender & LGB Education SharePoints: Contact: Michael.Kauth@va.gov or Jillian.Shipherd@va.gov
American Psychological Association: www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/
World Professional Association for Transgender Health: www.wpath.org
Healthy People 2020 available at: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=25
Gay, Lesbian Medical Association: www.glma.org

Learning Exercises

Self-Check Questions (5 questions)

1.
What are transitions that LGBT veterans face that are not faced by those elders who are not veterans?
2.
Explain the significance of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
3.
Discuss discrimination faced by LGBT elder veterans.
4.
Discuss and explain the “Trauma Accommodation syndrome.
5.
What are particular challenges of aging faced by LGBT veterans?

Experiential Assignments

1.
Visit a VA medical Center and request an appointment with the Director of the facility to discuss policies and procedures in addressing the healthcare needs of LGBT veterans
2.
Vet Centers provide community outreach. Meet with one of the counselors in the Vet Centers in your area to discuss screening and treatment interventions offered through the Vet Center program
3.
Contact the VA Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) and ask for information about their annual report and how they are addressing their mission and vision statement.

Multiple-Choice Questions (10)

1.
What is not a key feature of the mission statement of the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Diversity and Inclusion?
1. a.
  Silence
2. b.
  Respect
3. c.
  Integrity
4. d.
  Commitment
2.
The population of LGBT elder veterans is
1. a.
  Nonexistent
2. b.
  Totally unknown
3. c.
  Easily identifiable
4. d.
  Identified somewhat
3.
Coupled gay men who are veterans or report training in the guard or reserve, when compared to heterosexual veterans
1. a.
  Similar
2. b.
  Predominantly Asian
3. c.
  More often African-American and Hispanic
4. d.
  More often from urban areas
4.
Coupled gay women who are veterans or report training in the guard or reserve, when compared to heterosexual veterans
1. a.
  More often white
2. b.
  Predominantly Asian
3. c.
  More often African-American and Hispanic
4. d.
  More often from urban areas
5.
Challenges that LGBT elders face include all these except
1. a.
  Isolation
2. b.
  Threat of discrimination
3. c.
  Adequate social services
4. d.
  Fear of abuse
6.
The policy regarded as the most discriminatory for LGBT veterans was
1. a.
  Social Security
2. b.
  Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
3. c.
  Medicare
4. d.
  Elder Justice Act
7.
What are ways that the Veterans Administration is working to help LGBT elders?
1. a.
  Training of the workforce
2. b.
  Training the military
3. c.
  Adapting clinical standards for treatment
4. d.
  All of the above
8.
In the past, mental health care for LGBT veterans has been
1. a.
  Excellent
2. b.
  Fairly adequate
3. c.
  Good
4. d.
  Poor
9.
Historically, LGBT Elder veterans have been treated _____ by the Veterans Administration:
1. a.
  Fairly
2. b.
  Unfairly
3. c.
  Adequately
4. d.
  Appropriately
10.
Stages of the “Trauma Accommodation Syndrome” for LGBT Veterans include all the following except:
1. a.
  Secrecy
2. b.
  Helplessness
3. c.
  Accommodation
4. d.
  Reimbursement

Key (For Multiple-Choice Questions)

1-a
2-d
3-c
4-a
5-c
6-b
7-d
8-d
9-b
10-d

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Miller, T.W. (2016). Elder LGBT Veterans and Service Members. In: Harley, D., Teaster, P. (eds) Handbook of LGBT Elders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03623-6_11

Download citation

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03623-6_11
Published: 06 August 2015
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-03622-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-03623-6
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics