Lesbian, Gay Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Service Members and Veterans

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Compare to Other Insurance Programs?">How Does VGLI Compare to Other Insurance Programs?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/resources/deciding-how-much-life-insurance-to-get/" title="How Much Life Insurance Do You Really Need?">How Much Life Insurance Do You Really Need?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/vgli/" title="VGLI Premium Rates">VGLI Premium Rates</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/fsgli/" title="FSGLI: Family Servicemembers Group Life Insurance">FSGLI: Family Servicemembers Group Life Insurance</a></li> <li><a href="#" title="TSGLI: SGLI Traumatic Injury Protection Program"><span></span>TSGLI: SGLI Traumatic Injury Protection Program</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/tsgli/" title="TSGLI Program Page">TSGLI Program Page</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/tsgli_schedule_Schedule.asp" title="Schedule of Payments for Traumatic Losses">Schedule of Payments for Traumatic Losses</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/s-dvi/" title="S-DVI: Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance">S-DVI: Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/valife.asp" title="VALife: Veterans Affairs Life Insurance" target="_blank">VALife: Veterans Affairs Life Insurance</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/vmli/" title="VMLI: Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance">VMLI: Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/bfcs.asp" title="Beneficiary Financial Counseling and Online Will ">Beneficiary Financial Counseling and Online Will </a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/totally-disabled-or-terminally-ill/" title="Accelerated Benefits Option">Accelerated Benefits Option</a></li> <li><a href="#" title="Other VA Life Insurance"><span></span>Other VA Life Insurance</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/select.asp" title="Other VA Life Insurance Page">Other VA Life Insurance Page</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/plans.asp" title="Plans of Insurance">Plans of Insurance</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/vri.asp" title="Veterans' Reopened Insurance">Veterans' Reopened Insurance</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/vsli.asp" title="Veterans' Special Life Insurance">Veterans' Special Life Insurance</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/nsli.asp" title="National Service Life Insurance WWII">National Service Life Insurance WWII</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/resources/life-insurance-dividend-payment-options/" title="Dividend Payment Options Available">Dividend Payment Options Available</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/dividends_special.asp" title="Special Dividend Rumor">Special Dividend Rumor</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.insurance.va.gov/UnclaimedFunds/" title="Search for Unclaimed Funds">Search for Unclaimed Funds</a></li> </ul> </ul> <li><a href="#" title="Pension"><span></span>Pension</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/index.asp" title="Pension Home Page">Pension Home Page</a></li> <li><a href="#" title="Veterans Pension"><span></span>Veterans Pension</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/vetpen.asp" title="Veterans Pension Page">Veterans Pension Page</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/pencalc.asp" title="How to Calculate Pension">How to Calculate Pension</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/claimexam.asp" title="Compensation & Pension Exam page">Compensation & Pension Exam</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="#" title="Survivors 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It also recognizes the existing diversity within this population, including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. VA is committed to providing outreach to diverse service member and Veteran populations and has provided guidance on how under current Federal law VA may recognize <a href="http://www.va.gov/opa/marriage/" target="_blank" title="VA's Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Important Information on Marriage page">marriage</a>.</p> <p>On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court held in Obergefell v. Hodges that the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state. Accordingly, VA may now recognize all same-sex marriages without regard to a Veteran’s state of residence. VA has developed guidance to process cases involving same-sex spousal benefits, and to implement necessary changes swiftly and smoothly in order to deliver the best services to all our nation's Veterans. All Veterans in same-sex marriages who believe they are entitled to benefits should therefore promptly apply for benefits. Furthermore, Veterans whose claims were previously denied based on prior guidance should re-apply for benefits.</p> <h2>Benefits for which LGBT Service Members May Designate a Beneficiary</h2> <p>The Defense Department, in their ongoing review of military benefits in connection with the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," identified the following VA benefits for which service members may designate beneficiaries of their choosing, regardless of sexual orientation:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/sgli.asp" target="_blank" title="Servicemembers Group Life Insurance page">Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/vgli.asp" target="_blank" title="Veterans' Group Life Insurance">Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/veap.asp" target="_blank" title="Post Vietnam-era Veterans Assistance Program (VEAP) page">Post Vietnam-era Veterans Assistance Program (VEAP)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/montgomery_bill.asp" target="_blank" title="Montgomery GI Bill">Montgomery GI Bill</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.cem.va.gov/" target="_blank" title="National Cemetery Administration website">Presentation of the Flag of the United States</a></li> </ul> <p>In addition, there are other benefits for Servicemembers provided by DoD for which LGBT service members may designate a beneficiary regardless of sexual orientation. Learn about those DoD programs on the Defense Department's <a href="http://archive.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0610_dadt/" target="_blank" title="DoD's Don't Ask Don't Tell archived website">DADT website.</a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>External Link Disclaimer: By clicking on the links above you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.</p> <div class="top_link"><a href="#top">return to top <img width="7" height="10" src="/va_files/2012/images/arrow_up.png" alt="go"></a></div><div class="clear"></div> </div>  <div id="innerRightContent"> <div class="widget"> <div class="widget-title"><h4>Benefits For...</h4></div> <div class="widget-user"> <ul> <li><a title="Elderly Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-elderly.asp" target="_blank">Elderly Veterans</a></li> <li><a title="Gulf War Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-gulfwar.asp" target="_blank">Gulf War Veterans</a></li> <li><a title="Homeless Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-homeless.asp" target="_blank">Homeless Veterans</a></li> <li><a title="Incarcerated Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-incarcerated.asp" target="_blank">Incarcerated Veterans</a></li> <li><a title="Korea Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-korea.asp" target="_blank">Korean War Veterans</a></li> <li><a title="Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgenered Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/lgbt.asp" target="_blank">Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Veterans</a></li> <li><a title="Minority Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-minority.asp" target="_blank">Minority Veterans</a></li> <li><a title="Native American Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-tribal.asp" target="_blank">Native American Veterans</a></li> <li><a title="Former Prisoners of War home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-pow.asp" target="_blank">Former Prisoners of War</a></li> <li><a title="Veterans Living Aboard home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-abroad.asp" target="_blank">Veterans Living Overseas</a></li> <li><a title="Vietnam Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-vietnam.asp" target="_blank">Vietnam War Veterans</a></li> <li><a title="Women Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-women.asp" target="_blank">Women Veterans</a></li> <li><a title="World War II Veterans home page" href="/PERSONA/veteran-world_war_II.asp" target="_blank">World War II Veterans</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="widget"> <div class="widget-title"><h4>Resources</h4></div> <div class="widget-user"> <ul> <li><a title="Benefits A to Z" href="http://benefits.va.gov/atoz/">Benefits A to Z</a></li> <li><a title="Regulations & References" href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/">Regulations & References</a></li> <li><a title="The American Military Partner Association" href="http://militarypartners.org/resources/">The American Military Partner Association</a></li> <li><a title="The Blue Alliance" href="http://blue-alliance.org/">The Blue Alliance</a></li> <li><a title="Knights Out" href="http://knightsout.org/">Knights Out</a></li> <li><a title="The Gay Military Signal" href="http://www.gaymilitarysignal.com/">The Gay Military Signal</a></li> <li><a title="USNA Out" href="http://usnaout.org/">USNA Out</a></li> <li><a title="SAGALA.net" href="http://sagala.net/">SAGALA.net</a></li> <li><a title="Freedom to Serve, The Definitive Guide to LGBT Military Service" href="http://sldn.3cdn.net/5d4dd958a62981cff8_v5m6bw1gx.pdf">Freedom to Serve, The Definitive Guide to LGBT Military Service</a></li> <li><a title="National Gay and Lesbian Task Force" href="http://www.thetaskforce.org/">National Gay and Lesbian Task Force</a></li> <li><a title="LGBT National Help Center" href="http://www.glnh.org/">LGBT National Help Center</a></li> <li><a title="Veteran Administration Hospital Visitation Memo" href="http://www.diversity.va.gov/programs/lgbt.aspx" target="_blank">Veteran Administration Hospital Visitation Memo</a></li> <li><a title="National Military Family Association" href="http://www.militaryfamily.org/">National Military Family Association</a></li> <li><a title="Servicemembers United " href="http://www.servicemembers.org/">Servicemembers United </a></li> <li><a title="Service Defense Legal Defense Network" href="http://www.sldn.org/pages/about-sldn">Service Defense Legal Defense Network</a></li> <li><a title="The American Military Partner Association" href="http://militarypartners.org/resources/">The American Military Partner Association</a></li> <li><a title="Add New/Update Military ID Card information and remove Publications links" href="https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil/">New/Update Military ID Card</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>  <div style="clear:both"></div> </div>  </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div id="footer-effect"> <div id="footer" > <div class="col"> <h4 class="top-level">CONNECT</h4> <p><a href="https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/">Veterans Crisis Line:</a><br> <span class="larger">988</span> (Press 1)</p> <p class="h4correct">Social Media</p> <div id="footer-social-wrapper"> <div class="main-social-containers"><a title="Link to VA's Email Directory" href="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new/"><img 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href="https://www.va.gov/opa/Plain_Language.asp">Plain Language</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/survivors/">Surviving Spouses & Dependents</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/adaptivesports/">Adaptive Sports Program</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col"> <h4>ADMINISTRATION</h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health/default.asp">Veterans Health Administration</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/">Veterans Benefits Administration</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cem.va.gov/">National Cemetery Administration</a></li> </ul> </div>  <div id="modal-crisisline" class="va-overlay va-modal va-modal-large" role="alertdialog" > <div class="va-crisis-panel va-modal-inner va-rounded--all"> <h2 id="va-crisis-title" class="va-text-center va-uppercase">Get help from Veterans Crisis Line</h2> <div class="va-overlay-body va-crisis-panel-body"> <ul> <li><a href="tel:18002738255" tabindex='0' id="va-crisis-primary"><i class="fas fa-phone icon-left" aria-hidden="true"></i> Call <strong>1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)</strong></a></li> <li><a href="sms:838255"><i class="fas fa-mobile-alt icon-left" aria-hidden="true"></i> Text to <b>838255</b></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ChatTermsOfService.aspx?account=Veterans%20Chat"><i class="far fa-comments"></i> Chat <b>confidentially now</b></a></li> </ul> <p>If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, visit <a href="https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/">VeteransCrisisLine.net</a> for more resources.</p> </div> <button class="va-modal-close va-overlay-close" type="button" id="va-vcl-close-btn"><span class="usa-sr-only">Close this modal</span> <i class="far fa-times-circle fa-2x va-overlay-close usa-text-blue" aria-hidden="true" title="close this modal"></i> </button> </div> </div> <script src="/va_files/2014/responsive/scripts/crisis-modal2.js"></script> <div id="sub-footer"> <p>U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420</p> 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Lesbian, Gay Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Service Members and Veterans - Veterans