LGBTQIA+ Veteran Support

All Veterans, all people, have a basic right to be identified as they define themselves. This is essential for their general well-being and overall health. Knowing​ the gender identity of our patients helps us better understand the population we serve.

—Former VA Secretary Denis McDonough​

DVMF welcomes all veterans, families, caregivers, and survivor beneficiaries, including diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. “LGBTQ+” refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identities. The “+” sign captures identities beyond LGBTQ, including, but not limited to, questioning, pansexual, asexual, agender, gender diverse, nonbinary, gender-neutral, and other identities

Do you qualify for discharge upgrade?

Veterans who believe the characterization of their discharge from military service was unjust, erroneous, or warrants an upgrade are encouraged to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction simultaneously at BOTH the federal and state level. Click here​, to learn more information about the Restoration of Honor Act.

Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs

Learn how the Governor's Office of Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs advocates for equity and inclusion and supports LGBTQIA+ communities across Maryland. Visit the commission's website.​​

LGBTQIA+​ Veteran Resources

• Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA)
• Minority Veterans of America
• SPARTA
• American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER)
• Military Trans Rights
• US Department of Veterans Affairs LGBTQ+ Health Program
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) LGBTQ+ resource page
• Modern Military Association of America

• US Department of Defense Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Resource page

  Need	Resources
  Employment	Apply for Maryland State Jobs where veterans and eligible military spouses receive hiring credit for all competitive state jobs. Veterans and military spouses receive 10 points on their competitive applications. Utilize complimentary LinkedIn Premium for veterans Talk to a career coach through the Easterseals Veteran Staffing Network Find your local American Job Center here for job search assistance Review upcoming hiring fairs with Hiring our Heroes    Explore becoming a teacher in Maryland
  Healthcare	Schedule an initial appointment with one of our accredited veteran benefits specialists to see if you may be eligible for benefits. They can help you enroll in VA benefits at a local DVMF office or virtually at no cost.   If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988, press #1​
  ​Financial Support	Apply for a Maryland Veterans Trust Fund grant Navigate additional resources through ServingTogether or Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF).   Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) - PDF - apply via the BEACON Application
  ​Legal Assistance	Connect with DVMF-partner University of Baltimore Law School Bob Parsons Veteran Advocacy Clinic at 410-837-5705 Transgender Legal Services Pro Bono Network National Institute of Military Justice