While their service is often rendered invisible by history, over one million LGBT veterans not only defended our nation but continue to navigate a unique set of challenges long after their uniform comes off.
Key Takeaways
- An estimated 1,090,000 LGBT adults in the United States are veterans, representing about 2.2% of the total veteran population as of 2021.
- Approximately 37,000 transgender veterans live in the US, comprising 3.4% of all transgender adults who are veterans.
- LGBT veterans are more likely to be urban dwellers, with 78% residing in metropolitan areas compared to 72% of non-LGBT veterans.
- 37% of LGBT veterans served in the Army, the most common branch.
- Prior to repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell in 2011, over 13,000 service members were discharged under the policy, many LGBT.
- LGBT veterans are more likely to have been deployed to combat zones, with 65% reporting deployment experience.
- LGBT veterans have PTSD rates 2.5 times higher than non-LGBT veterans at 40% lifetime prevalence.
- Suicide attempt rates among LGBT veterans are 6.6% compared to 3.8% for non-LGBT veterans.
- 52% of transgender veterans report serious psychological distress vs. 10% general population.
- LGBT veterans have unemployment rates at 8.1% vs. 5.2% for non-LGBT veterans in 2022.
- Median household income for LGBT veteran households is $62,000, 12% below non-LGBT at $71,000.
- 15% of LGBT veterans live in poverty, compared to 9% of all veterans.
- 58% of LGBT veterans report experiencing workplace discrimination post-service.
- Only 27% of VA facilities have dedicated LGBT coordinators as of 2023.
- 43% of transgender veterans faced denial of transition-related care at VA pre-2021.
LGBT veterans face greater health and economic struggles despite serving honorably.
Demographics
- An estimated 1,090,000 LGBT adults in the United States are veterans, representing about 2.2% of the total veteran population as of 2021.
- Approximately 37,000 transgender veterans live in the US, comprising 3.4% of all transgender adults who are veterans.
- LGBT veterans are more likely to be urban dwellers, with 78% residing in metropolitan areas compared to 72% of non-LGBT veterans.
- Among LGBT veterans, 55% are aged 50 or older, slightly higher than the 52% for all veterans.
- Gay and bisexual men make up 1.3% of male veterans, while lesbian and bisexual women constitute 3.5% of female veterans.
- In California, there are over 130,000 LGBT veterans, the highest number in any state.
- LGBT veterans are more racially diverse, with 24% identifying as people of color compared to 20% of non-LGBT veterans.
- Florida has the second-highest number of LGBT veterans at approximately 97,000.
- About 10% of LGBT veterans served during the Vietnam era, similar to the general veteran population.
- Texas is home to around 92,000 LGBT veterans.
- LGBT veterans have a higher proportion of post-9/11 service members at 22% compared to 18% overall.
- New York has about 70,000 LGBT veterans.
- Pennsylvania reports around 54,000 LGBT veterans.
- Among female veterans, lesbians represent 4.6% in some estimates adjusted for underreporting.
- LGBT veterans are concentrated in the South and West regions, comprising 45% of the national total.
- Approximately 15% of LGBT veterans are married to same-sex spouses, higher than civilian rates.
- Illinois has about 48,000 LGBT veterans.
- Ohio counts roughly 46,000 LGBT veterans.
- LGBT veterans aged 18-29 make up 8% of the LGBT veteran population.
- Georgia has approximately 44,000 LGBT veterans.
Demographics Interpretation
While they've defended the nation's freedoms, these 1.09 million LGBT veterans now form a surprisingly diverse and resilient battalion, concentrated in our cities and leading the march toward greater visibility even after their service has ended.
Discrimination and Policy
- 58% of LGBT veterans report experiencing workplace discrimination post-service.
- Only 27% of VA facilities have dedicated LGBT coordinators as of 2023.
- 43% of transgender veterans faced denial of transition-related care at VA pre-2021.
- Hate crime victimization is 2.5 times higher for LGBT veterans than civilians.
- 36% of LGBT veterans avoid VA services due to perceived bias.
- DADT-era discharges affected 20,000+ service members, impacting veteran benefits.
- 49% report housing discrimination as veterans.
- VA mental health satisfaction is 65% for LGBT vs. 82% for non-LGBT.
- 22% of LGBT veterans experienced family rejection post-service.
- Policy changes post-2011 increased VA enrollment by 15% among LGBT veterans.
- 31% faced religious-based discrimination in veteran support groups.
- Transgender veteran benefit claims denied at 18% rate vs. 12% average.
- 67% support expanded VA gender-affirming care coverage.
- Community reintegration challenges reported by 54% due to identity.
- 14% of LGBT veterans discharged under other than honorable conditions linked to orientation.
- Only 40% feel VA staff are trained adequately on LGBT issues.
- Legal aid access for discrimination is used by 9% of affected LGBT veterans.
Discrimination and Policy Interpretation
A nation quick to send its LGBT service members into battle remains remarkably slow to welcome them home, protecting their bodies abroad while leaving their dignity and care to bureaucratic indifference and a society still catching up.
Economic and Employment
- LGBT veterans have unemployment rates at 8.1% vs. 5.2% for non-LGBT veterans in 2022.
- Median household income for LGBT veteran households is $62,000, 12% below non-LGBT at $71,000.
- 15% of LGBT veterans live in poverty, compared to 9% of all veterans.
- Transgender veterans face 16.5% unemployment, double the national average.
- Only 55% of LGBT veterans own homes, vs. 68% of non-LGBT veterans.
- Food insecurity affects 22% of LGBT veterans annually.
- 28% of LGBT veterans report underemployment in civilian jobs post-service.
- Disability compensation receipt is 45% among LGBT veterans, similar to peers but lower claims approval.
- Gay male veterans have higher educational attainment, 42% with bachelor's degrees.
- 19% of lesbian veterans work in professional occupations vs. 14% average.
- Veteran business ownership among LGBT is 12%, but smaller firm sizes average $450k revenue.
- 35% of transgender veterans report job loss due to identity disclosure.
- Supplemental Security Income usage is 8% for LGBT veterans vs. 4% overall.
- Wage gap shows LGBT veterans earn 88 cents per dollar of non-LGBT peers.
- 26% of bisexual veterans are uninsured, highest among subgroups.
- Retirement savings adequacy is lower, with only 38% having sufficient funds.
- 17% of LGBT veterans rely on SNAP benefits periodically.
- Professional licensure barriers affect 11% of transitioning veterans.
- 51% of LGBT veterans aged 65+ live below 200% FPL.
Economic and Employment Interpretation
The statistics paint a stark and shameful reality: after serving their country, LGBT veterans return to a home front where their service is met with higher unemployment, lower pay, and greater poverty, proving that for them, the fight for equality and basic dignity continues long after the uniform comes off.
Health and Well-being
- LGBT veterans have PTSD rates 2.5 times higher than non-LGBT veterans at 40% lifetime prevalence.
- Suicide attempt rates among LGBT veterans are 6.6% compared to 3.8% for non-LGBT veterans.
- 52% of transgender veterans report serious psychological distress vs. 10% general population.
- LGBT veterans experience depression at rates of 48%, double the veteran average.
- Military sexual trauma (MST) reported by 41% of LGBT veterans vs. 25% overall.
- Homelessness among LGBT veterans is 13% lifetime vs. 7% for non-LGBT.
- 70% of LGBT veterans using VA care report chronic pain issues.
- Transgender veterans have 2.1 times higher odds of hospitalization for mental health.
- Alcohol use disorder affects 35% of gay/bisexual male veterans.
- 28% of lesbian/bisexual female veterans report illicit drug use history.
- HIV prevalence among gay male veterans is 4.2%, higher than civilian rates.
- 55% of LGBT veterans have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
- Anxiety disorders impact 42% of transgender veterans.
- 37% of LGBT veterans report lifetime suicide ideation.
- Cancer screening rates are lower among LGBT veterans by 15% for certain types.
- 49% of bisexual veterans report poor mental health days monthly.
- Cardiovascular disease hospitalization 1.5 times higher in LGBT veterans.
- 62% of LGBT veterans delay healthcare due to discrimination fears.
Health and Well-being Interpretation
These statistics paint a portrait of service marked by a toxic duality, where the very institution that demanded their whole selves now forces them to endure its care as fragmented and lesser versions, compounding the wounds of war with the injuries of prejudice.
Military Service
- 37% of LGBT veterans served in the Army, the most common branch.
- Prior to repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell in 2011, over 13,000 service members were discharged under the policy, many LGBT.
- LGBT veterans are more likely to have been deployed to combat zones, with 65% reporting deployment experience.
- Transgender veterans served at rates similar to cisgender, but face higher discharge rates pre-2016 policy change.
- 28% of LGBT veterans experienced harassment during service related to sexual orientation.
- Post-9/11 LGBT veterans number around 240,000, 22% of LGBT veteran total.
- Women LGBT veterans served in higher proportions in Air Force (15%) than male counterparts.
- Approximately 1,300 transgender individuals were discharged from military between 2000-2014 due to gender identity.
- LGBT veterans report higher rates of leadership roles, with 42% having been NCOs or higher.
- Vietnam-era LGBT veterans comprise 30% of the LGBT veteran population.
- 19% of LGBT veterans served in the Navy, second to Army.
- Gulf War era (1990-2001) accounts for 18% of LGBT veteran service periods.
- Marines have 8% of LGBT veterans, despite smaller overall branch size.
- 12% of LGBT veterans served in the Coast Guard.
- Average length of service for LGBT veterans is 8.2 years, comparable to peers.
- 45% of transgender veterans were medically retired, higher than cisgender rates.
- LGBT veterans from WWII era number fewer than 50,000 today due to age.
- 62% of LGBT veterans received honorable discharges.
- Korean War LGBT veterans estimated at under 10,000 surviving.
- 25% of LGBT veterans experienced unit cohesion issues due to orientation pre-DADT repeal.
Military Service Interpretation
The statistics reveal an enduring, often costly, patriotism: LGBT veterans not only served in high numbers and rose to leadership at notable rates, but they also disproportionately endured combat deployments, discriminatory discharges, and harassment, all while building a service record that matches their peers in length and honor.
Sources & References
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