A growing number of LGBTQ veterans are speaking out about what they describe as ongoing inequities in how they are treated after leaving military service, despite decades of policy changes and public commitments to inclusion.
The modern U.S. military allows LGBTQ service members to serve openly, and top defense officials frequently highlight diversity as a cornerstone of today’s force. Yet advocates and former service members say many who once served in silence — and even those transitioning out today — continue to encounter barriers once their uniforms come off.
Lingering Impact of Forced Secrecy
For years, LGBTQ troops risked investigations, discharge, and professional ruin if their identity became known. While those policies have been repealed, veterans say the stress and trauma they endured during that era did not disappear with the paperwork.
“It didn’t matter how dedicated you were or how well you served. If someone found out you were gay, you could lose everything,” one veteran recalled. “You don’t just forget living like that.”
That legacy, veterans say, follows them long after service, affecting mental health, trust in institutions, and their willingness to seek help.
Barriers After Service
Many LGBTQ veterans say the challenges did not end when their military service did. Some report struggling to access benefits or navigate administrative systems that were not built with LGBTQ families and identities in mind. Others describe feeling unwelcome or misunderstood when seeking health care or entering traditional veteran spaces.
Veterans also note differences in treatment based on location, with some claiming they receive strong support in one region only to feel dismissed or judged in another. For many, seeking care becomes a calculated process — not a routine benefit.
Transgender Veterans Face Additional Obstacles
Transgender veterans describe even sharper hurdles. Some say they encounter delays or confusion when trying to update their records. Others report inconsistent access to gender-affirming health care or providers unfamiliar with their needs. Several say they have had to explain their identity repeatedly, or defend the legitimacy of their medical care, before receiving services.
“Whether you served in combat or support roles, you earned your benefits,” a transgender veteran said. “It shouldn’t depend on where you go or who happens to be working that day.”
Community Support Steps In
In recent years, LGBTQ veteran organizations and support networks have expanded, offering assistance with benefit navigation, peer support, mental-health resources, and social connection. Many veterans say these groups fill gaps left by formal systems and create spaces where they feel seen and respected.
“These veterans are proud of their service,” one organizer said. “They simply want the same dignity and access every veteran deserves.”
A Fight Still Underway
Despite improvements in policy and public awareness, LGBTQ veterans say real equality remains a work in progress. While many acknowledge strides in recent years — including increased visibility, expanded VA programs, and cultural shifts within the military — they argue that systemic and cultural barriers persist.
Their message is consistent: they served their country with honor, and now expect equal treatment, free from judgment or administrative obstacles.
As one veteran put it, “We didn’t serve halfway. We showed up for America fully. And we’re just asking America to show up for us the same way.”
