Rainbow Veterans of Santa Cruz County

Support for LGBTQ+ military personnel & their allies

WHEN

For more information email rainbowvets@diversitycenter.org

WHERE

For more information email rainbowvets@diversitycenter.org

WHAt

We are LGBTQ+ veterans serving other LGBTQ+ veterans.

We strive to:

  • Provide LGTBQ+ Veterans knowledge of and access to medical, financial and educational Veteran's Benefits.

  • Provide family, partners, and friends of LGBTQ+ active duty and veterans support and information about resources that may be helpful to them.

  • Build a stronger Santa Cruz Veteran's Community by forging links to other veteran's groups such as the United Veterans Council, the Disabled American Veterans, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, the Veteran's Motorcycle Club, and Not This Time Vets.

MISSION STATEMENT

Mission Statement We the LGBTQ+ vets of the Diversity Center Vet's Program aim to provide advocacy, recognition, education, support and resources to all LGBTQ+ active duty personnel, veterans, their partners, family and friends in SC County.

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Post traumatic stress disorder is common among veterans as a result of combat and other stresses encountered in the military. Alexander Paul author of Suicide Wall estimates that 200,000 Vietnam Veterans have committed suicide as a result of their war experience. According to the VA, current suicide rates of active duty and veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan is much higher than the average for all Americans. Recognition and support within the LGBTQ+ community of our brothers and sisters is an important step in alleviating this tragic waste of life. The Serviceman's Legal Defense Network has documented that many LGBTQ+ veterans and active duty personnel face harassment, assault and rape by other military personnel. Many of these people suffer from PTSD caused by this culturally sanctioned behavior. We can help LGBTQ+ veterans get treatment and support for Veterans Administration claims through the Veterans Center in Capitola and the Santa Cruz County Veterans Service Office.