Category Archives: Action

AVER is about action!

Veterans Affairs

AVER Veterans Affairs is dedicated to advocating and serving the needs of America’s LGBT armed forces veterans with information, referral, and limited legal consultation regarding VA benefits claims.

GETTING HELP:
Individual Inquiries:

If you have specific questions about veterans benefits eligibility or your rights as an LGBT American armed forces veteran, you may contact us directly and we will do our best to provide information and referral and point you in the right direction to resolve your issues.  Please contact us at vetsaffairs@aver.us
Please note that we are not able to provide immediate or emergency assistance.

Legal Consultation:
AVER LEGAL CONSULTATION REGARDING VA CLAIMS FOR LGBT VETERANS

AVER Veterans Affairs is offering limited legal consultation to LGBT
Veterans with VA Claims issues. Rochelle Richardson, Principal Attorney at Rochelle E. Richardson, Attorney at Law, PLLC, is a VA accredited attorney, and provides representation to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, nationwide, in their claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As her time permits, referrals will be made to Ms. Richardson for veterans to consult with her on VA claims issues. Ms. Richardson, a veteran, has volunteered to provide this limited service to AVER.  Please contact AVER Veterans Affairs at vetsaffairs@aver.us  This is not an emergency service.

LGBT Veterans Benefits E-Mail Discussion Group:

The AVERvetsBenefits e-mail discussion group is for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans to share information on issues of specific concern to them as LGBT veterans, e.g., service discharge upgrades, VA health services for HIV/AIDS, same-sex partner issues at VA, etc. Click here to join the group.

Liaison with LGBT Organizations:

AVER Veterans Affairs maintains liaison and coordination with other LGBT service organizations such as TAVA (Transgender American Veterans Association), OutServe (the active duty LGBT service organization), S.W.A.N. (Service Women’s Action Network), SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders), among others; serving on committees and boards, and participating in forums and conferences regarding the rights and needs of LGBT service members.

We maintain particularly close coordination with TAVA regarding Transgender veterans receiving respectful, dignified, and sensitive treatment at VA facilities in accordance with a 2011 VA directive concerning the treatment of Transgender veterans.

AVER Veterans Affairs has liaison with the Veterans Administration and has provided consultation to Pentagon personnel regarding the survey and transition process to open service.

AVER Veterans Affairs has particularly participated in and or coordinated conferences, articles, and discussions regarding VA treatment of HIV/AIDS and PTSD in LGBT veterans.

AVER Veterans Affairs is engaged in an ongoing aggressive campaign to establish and secure the rights of LGBT service members and veterans. At the national and local level, via AVER chapters, we continually write letters to editors of gay and mainstream media, promote and endorse LGBT rights legislation, participate in efforts to keep VA hospitals open, and regularly liaison with elected officials and political candidates.

AVER VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:

The AVER Veterans Affairs Committee brings together lawyers, social workers, psychologists, therapists, VSOs and others involved in direct service with LGBT vets for discussion, consultation, and referral. To inquire about participation in the AVER Veterans Affairs Committee, please contact vetsaffairs@aver.us

Please Help AVER to continue working for your rights and benefits, donate
online today.

Useful Toll-Free Telephone Numbers

Department of Veterans Affairs 1-800-827-1000
Veterans Health Administration 1-877-222-8387
Veterans Benefits Administration 1-800-827-1000

AVER Action Alerts

Military Readiness Enhancement Act.

On 03 March 2009, Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) introduced H.R. 1283 of the 111th Congress. This bill is known as the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, and if enacted, will hail the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and all discrimination based upon sexual-orientation within the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security [concerning the USCG when not acting under the USN], by overturning 10 U.S.C. §654.  Full text of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act – H.R.1283(111) can be found at THOMAS.Since Rep. Tauscher has been appointed to the Department of State, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) has taken up the banner of leadership for MREA2009.  Rep. Murphy is working very diligently to bring more members of Congress on board as co-sponsors.  The bill already has more than 160 sponsors, leaving less than 60 to go to meet the “218” milestone – a simply majority.

First Step…

To find out whether your Representative has signed on as a co-sponsor for this bill, check the THOMAS Co-Sponsor list.  If your Representative’s name is not listed here, we encourage you to either call or send them an email/letter urging them to support this bill. To contact your Representative, you can use the US House of Representatives search form. (in addition to postal address, this link also provides telephone/fax info, and an email contact form)

If you place a telephone call, tell the person who answers that you are a constituent, and that you are calling to urge the Representative to co-sponsor the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (bill number H.R. 1283) — a bill to lift the ban on “homosexual acts” in the Armed Forces, which explicitly includes simply referring to oneself with the terms “gay” or “lesbian,” and henceforth would permit open and honest service, and ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, real or perceived.  After calling, feel free to use the comment form below to tell us how your telephone call went. All comments are initially screened.

Second Step…

Once you finish contacting your Representative, encourage all of your family, friends, and colleagues to contact their own Representatives likewise.  They need not live in your same district or even state.  To forward this page via email, use the email link at the top right.

Bill tracking at a glance…

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Member Activity

AVER is an incorporated non-profit, chapter-based association of active, reserve and veteran servicemembers dedicated to full and equal rights and equitable treatment for all present and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

In Action!

  • AVER Members have made presentations on:
    • gays in the military
    • the military ban
    • R.O.T.C
  • AVER Members have participated in such events as:
    • National Coming Out Day
    • Memorial day Observances
    • Veterans Day parades
    • 1993 March on Washington
    • Wreath Layings at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and at Congressional Cemetery
    • Millennium March On Washington
  • AVER Representatives have spoken before:
    • college and university student groups
    • church groups
    • civic organizations
    • political organizations

How to Join Us

Joining American Veterans for Equal Rights is very easy.
Print the Membership Application,
fill it out and send with your check to:
AVER Membership
POB 97
Plainville, IL 62365-0097