UC Berkeley

Due to prohibitions against U.S. military service among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people (e.g., Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the ban on transgender military service), little is known about LGBT service members and veterans. A growing body of research has identified disproportionate medical and mental health problems among LGBT veterans, which are associated with LGBT military minority stressors. The existing literature’s problem focus and lack of intervention research, combined with a paucity of culturally competent clinical training, leave social workers ill equipped to provide strength-based care as mandated by the Council on Social Work Education and National Association of Social Workers. This qualitative study uses Grounded Theory to analyze the verbal and nonverbal communication of 9 LGBT veterans featured in The Camouflage Closet, a documentary film about trauma and recovery. Considered within the contexts of current political and social climate, and historical representations of veterans, LGBT people, and LGBT veterans in film and news media, this study’s findings identify several new insights into LGBT military minority stressors and strengths. Findings include LGBT military-specific moral injury, post-traumatic growth, love, and the unique ability to communicate experiences of PTSD and LGBT military minority stress and resilience through visual representation. This study concludes with suggestions for strength-based research and practice with LGBT veterans.

Key Words: LGBT Military Minority Stress, Resilience, Strength-based Practice, LGBT Veteran Care