Transgender Vet Finds Help, Without Fear, At VA Hospital
September 6, 2012 6:51 PM
by WCCO News Staff
Reporting: Liz Collin
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/09/06/transgender-vet-finds-help-without-fear-at-va-hospital/MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – There is a program available at the VA hospital in Minneapolis that's serving an often hidden population — transgender veterans.
Peter Klicker served in the Marines as a woman, Karin Klicker. Years later, the veteran says he's finally found the help he's hoped for.
Klicker has traveled a long road. A member of a military family, he joined the Marines at the age of 18.
Klicker is one of 30 transgender veterans getting services at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. A directive last summer said all transgender veterans are entitled to the same level of care as any other veteran.
Jan James, a nurse practitioner at the medical center, has taken it a step further.... the clinic now offers hormone therapy and counseling services to transgender veterans, so they're not forced to find black-market alternatives.
James believes it reflects a changing attitude of acceptance in the military. The directive happened around the same time the "don't ask, don't tell" policy ended.
For Klicker, the acceptance has restored his belief in the system he signed up for more than 30 years ago.
"That access — and not having to be afraid — it's just huge," Klicker said.
WATCH:
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7696966
