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LGBTQ+ Veterans

Banner image for LGBTQ veterans pageOregon is home to a diverse veteran community that spans five eras of service and four generations of service members. Military service and the veteran experience continues to shape every generation of veterans differently – from the era and branch they served, to the pronoun they prefer. ODVA continues to work in partnership with local and federal government agencies, as well as non-profit partners to deliver veteran centric services, resources and benefits that meet the needs of LGBTQ+ veterans and their families. And to better serve you, the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator office is available to answer your questions and assist with a variety of support services.

In many ways, the LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator serves a role similar to other veteran service officers, connecting LGBTQ+ veterans to federal and state benefits, such as VA health care, disability compensation, and pension, houselessness resources, and more. ODVA's LGBTQ+ Veteran Office is here to serve and support those interested in learning about and accessing veteran benefits in Oregon. Additionally, this office can assist with discharge upgrades and military record corrections as well. 

The LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator office works to build a strong community of and for LGBTQ+ veterans in Oregon, while also helping shape Oregon laws for the LGBTQ+ and veteran communities through advocacy and direct recommendations to the Legislature.

For assistance or to schedule a consultation appointment, contact the LGBTQ+ Veterans Coordinator at (503) 373-2327 (office) or (971) 720-9016 (cell) or ODVA_LGBTQvets@odva.oregon.gov.

Banner image for LGBTQ Bend veterans village pageBanner image for LGBTQ Eugene veterans village pageBanner image for LGBTQ Portland veterans village pageBanner image for LGBTQ Albany veterans village page

Resources and Information

​Through the Federal VA, veterans answer a series of questions to get customized step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction. 

If your application goes through and your discharge is upgraded, you’ll be eligible for the VA benefits you earned during your period of service.


Apply for a Discharge Upgrade​

• ODVA can assist with Military Records Corrections to include changing your military discharge papers to reflect your current legal name.

• ODVA provides trauma-informed and culturally aware assistance to help access federal and state veteran benefits.

• If you were discharged from service due to your sexual orientation please contact your local Veteran Service Office or the LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator office to talk about the possibility of a discharge upgrade.

• Laws and regulations continue to change. If you were previously denied benefits contact your local Veteran Service Office or contact the LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator to see if appeals rights exist for you.

​Contact the ODVA Campus Veteran Coordinator, Joe Mah (he/him) to be connected to specific resources.

Phone: (​503) 400-0540
Email: mahj@odva.state.or.us​

​The VA’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) is committed to helping Veterans, their partners, and VA staff who are impacted by IPV. If you, or someone you know could be experiencing and/or using IPV - help is available.

For More Information: Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP)​

Ordering DD214s and other military documents:

  • Through eBenefits: You may be able to access your military personnel records electronically by following the instructions here: Accessing ebenefits and Military Documents.pdfAccessing ebenefits and Military Documents.pdf
  • Through National Archives: You also may be able to request military records online through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). More information about this process can be found here.
  • Through an SF 180: You may also request military records through the use of a Standard Form 180. See here for more information.

Online registration for VA health care: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) now offers an online option to sign up for VA Healthcare if eligible. For more information, see here: Online VA Healthcare Sign Up.pdfOnline VA Healthcare Sign Up.pdf

​Congress has authorized the correction of records when it is considered necessary either to rectify an error or to remove an injustice. DD Form 214 does not list gender, but it does list your name. While for most non-transgender people a service record showing a former name does not communicate any sensitive information, for transgender people disclosure of the former name can be equivalent to disclosure of transgender status. This can be considered an injustice, and will be the strongest basis for your request to update your name on the DD 214.

Generally speaking, to update your DD 214 military discharge record, you will need two things: a completed DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) and evidence to support your name change request. If possible, this evidence should include proof of your legal name change and gender transition, such as a U.S. passport, driver's license or government-issued ID card showing your updated name and gender.

The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs and its LGBTQ veteran coordinator office can assist you with this process. A copy of DD Form 149 can be found online here​.

For more information: "Transgender People and Military Records" ​

​The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care system in the United States and strives to be a national leader in providing care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+)​ veterans. In 2012, the VHA's Office of Patient Care Services created the LGBTQ+ Health Program, which provides policy recommendations, provider-education programs and clinical services to support personalized, pro-active, patient-driven healthcare for LGBTQ+ veterans.

For more information: LGBTQ+ Veteran Patient Care​​

VA Portland | VA Roseburg | SORCC​​

Local

Basic Rights Oregon​ works to ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Oregonians experience equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving policy victories.​

Pivot​, at Prism Health, is dedicated to providing free HIV and STI screenings to the LGBTQ community on a walk-in basis.

Q Center​ provides a safe space to support and celebrate LGBTQ diversity, equity, visibility and community building. ​

Veterans for Human Rights​ is a locally based group that works closely with other local and national organizations in securing the full equal and civil rights for all Americans regardless of their sexual orientation, military discharge or marital status. 

National​

American Veterans for Equal Rights​ is an organization dedicated to full and equal rights and equitable treatment for all present and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, especially the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender current and prior military personnel who have been historically disenfranchised by armed forces policy and discriminatory laws governing military service and benefits.

Human Rights Campaign​ is a national organization that advocates for LGBT equality and educates the public about LGBT issues.

Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) is the nation’s largest organization of LGBTQ service members, military spouses, veterans, their families and allies. Formed through the merger of the American Military Partner Association and OutServe-SLDN, MMAA is​ a united voice for the LBGTQ military and veteran community.

Transgender American Veterans Association acts proactively with other concerned gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) organizations to ensure that transgender veterans will receive appropriate care for their medical conditions in accordance with the Veterans Health Administration’s Customer Service Standards promise to “treat you with courtesy and dignity . . . as the first class citizen that you are.” Further, TAVA will help in educating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) on issues regarding fair and equal treatment of transgender and transsexual individuals. Also, TAVA will help the general transgender community when deemed appropriate.​

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Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence: An Oral History of LGBTQ Veterans and Service Members is a groundbreaking film chronicling the lives and experiences of five LGBTQ Oregonians who served their country with honor — even though official military policy sought to prohibit them from doing so.

Breaking the Silence tells the story of our nation’s military that you haven’t heard, one in which lesbian, gay and transgender service members faced not only the risks that are common to those who serve, but also the risk of discovery, disgrace and even prosecution, simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. At great risk to themselves, their careers and their families, these courageous men and women chose to serve anyway, in silence.

Watch now as these brave veterans and service members are breaking their silence and sharing their incredible stories of courage, perseverance and sacrifice.

 



Washington County DAVS LGBTQ+ Veteran Outreach

ODVA is an Ally to our LGBQT+ veteran community, and our LGBTQ+ Veteran Services Office is here to support those interested in learning about and accessing their earned veteran benefits. Watch the video below, featuring ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick and LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator Ian Michael, to learn more.

 


ODVA LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator

To contact our office:

Call: 
Office: (503) 373-2327
Cell: (971) 720-9016

Email: ODVA_LGBTQvets@odva.oregon.gov

Follow us: facebook.com/OregonLGBTQVets

Did you know?

In 2015, Oregon became the first state in the country to establish an LGBTQ+ veteran coordinator.

If you are unable to view the Facebook feed, please visit the ODVA LGBTQ+ Veterans program Facebook page.

 
Stay Informed

Sign up for updates from ODVA for LGBTQ+ veterans below.

Latest News

2025 Oregon Pride Events







Bend Summer Pride 2025
• June 7, 2025, 11a-5p
• Drake Park (Bend, OR)

2025 Eugene Pride!
• June 28, 2025, 11a-7p
• Lane Events Center (Eugene, OR)

Portland Pride Waterfront Festival & Parade
• July 19-20, 2025. 10a-3p
• Tom McCall Waterfront Park (Portland, OR)
• www.PortlandPride.org

Albany Pride Festival 2025
• July 26, 2025
• River Rhythms at Monteith Park (Albany, OR)