How Service Collides with the World
OUR IMPACT
TRANSGENDER AMERICAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Trans+ veterans redefine service by breaking gender norms within military culture and expanding the meaning of strength, patriotism, and identity.
Founded in 2003, the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) engages with our members, governmental agencies, other advocacy groups, media and the public in order to ensure our members receive full services and dignified treatment by promoting the values of equality, fairness and respect on behalf of our members and provide a supportive community for Veterans who identify under the “Transgender Umbrella”.
GLOBAL & SOCIETAL IMPACT
Embodying the oath in intersectional ways. Breaking gender norms within hyper-masculine military culture, expanding definitions of strength, service, and identity.
Educating communities, both civilian and military, about transgender and gender nonconforming issues through lived experience.
Serving as bridges between traditionally conservative institutions (military) and progressive movements (LGBTQ+ rights). Rooted in integrity, excellence, patriotism, and equality.
Contributing to representation, offering visibility in spheres where trans and gender nonconforming voices are often absent despite their service and sacrifice.
Inspiring policy change, from access to gender-affirming care in the VA to broader military inclusion efforts leading to the expansion of veteran healthcare treatment programs for all American service members.
VETERAN & MILITARY INFLUENCE
Challenging “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era remnants, advocating for authentic service without fear, reprisal, and erasure.
Influencing future military policy through activism, litigation, and public service.
Redefining patriotism by embodying service as an act of liberation, self-determination, self-acceptance, and respect to our nation’s past and its future.
Offering nuanced insights into trauma, resilience, and reintegration, especially in veteran mental health through our lived experiences and service.