Ed Whitaker, Equal Employment Opportunity program director, Susan Boles, RN, Carey Russ, women's clinic director and Calvin Smith, LGBTQ veteran care coordinator are part of a group at the White River Junction VA Medical Center that is working on programs for Pride Month in White River Junction, Vt. (Courtesy Calvin Smith)
Ed Whitaker, Equal Employment Opportunity program director, Susan Boles, RN, Carey Russ, women's clinic director and Calvin Smith, LGBTQ veteran care coordinator are part of a group at the White River Junction VA Medical Center that is working on programs for Pride Month in White River Junction, Vt. (Courtesy Calvin Smith) Credit: Courtesy Calvin Smith

White River Junction — The goal of the White River Junction VA Medical Center’s Pride Month programs is to continue to create a community of support for LGBTQ veterans at the VA and in the greater community.

“We’ve been trying to be visible and create an environment where people know it’s safe for them to come out,” said Calvin Smith, LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator at the VA. “This is a work in progress. We’re learning as we go and we’re trying to identify where the challenges lie in terms of education and people feeling safe and informed.”

Coming up on June 14 will be a panel discussion from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., featuring LGBTQ veterans who will talk about their experiences. The event is at the VA, Building 44, room 103, 163 Veterans Drive and is free and open to the public.

“Our intent was to provide… that perspective of people who have lived in both worlds,” said Smith about military and civilian life. “And be able to talk about that transition between both cultures.”

The VA also wants to address a concern that has been carried over from the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” days: Some LGBTQ veterans fear they will lose their benefits if they come out, which isn’t the case.

“You can be who you are at the VA,” Smith said.

The White River VA’s initiative is part of a larger push by the Department of Veteran Affairs to address the health needs of LGBT veterans.

In White River, a working group was formed that includes mental health workers, health care providers and administrators, “with the idea of how can we better serve LGBTQ veterans?” Smith said.

Other events include “LGBTQ 101,” which will be an overview of individual identity as it relates to gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. It will be held on June 21 from 1-2 p.m.

On June 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dr. Jack Turco, a doctor at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, will discuss “Transgender Medicine and Health Care.”

Both programs are going to be held at the VA and are free and open to the public.

“Our focus right now is on creating and a LGBTQ environment out in the community,” Smith said. “And honor the service of all veterans.”

Editor’s Note: For more information about the programs, contact Calvin Smith at 802-295-9363, ext. 6184, or calvin.smith@va.gov.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.