A New Chapter for LGBTQ+ Veterans: Hope, Healing, and Housing
When Lindsay Church left the Navy in 2012, they carried with them not only the experiences of military service but also the burden of having served under the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The policy, which was in effect from 1994 to 2011, barred openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual people from serving in the military, creating a deep and lasting impact on the lives of many servicemembers.
“I really struggled with, am I a veteran, or am I queer?” Church told Next City. “And if I’m a veteran, I can’t be queer because they hate me here.”
This sense of internal conflict, born from institutionalized exclusion, was the catalyst for Church’s ongoing advocacy. They co-founded Minority Veterans of America, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans who are marginalized because of their race, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation. More than a response to the past, the organization represents a vision for a more inclusive future for America’s veterans.
Breaking Ground on a Historic Milestone
In October, Church and their organization marked a major achievement: the opening of the first transitional housing facility in the United States specifically for homeless LGBTQ+ veterans. The initiative, named Q’mmunity House, was made possible through a $1.8 million investment from King County, Washington.
The home itself is a renovated two-story property built in 1915, nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in West Seattle. With five bedrooms and a 50-year operating contract with the county, Q’mmunity House offers short-term residence—anywhere from six to 18 months—while veterans transition into permanent housing.
“Today, we are filled with immense pride as we celebrate the realization of a long-held dream — Q’mmunity House,” Church said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This milestone represents years of dedication and hard work to create a refuge for LGBTQ+ veterans who have too often been left behind and experienced discrimination and stigma when accessing essential services.”
Addressing a Crisis That Often Goes Unseen
Q’mmunity House addresses a harsh and often underreported reality: LGBTQ+ veterans, particularly transgender veterans, face significantly higher rates of homelessness. According to a 2023 report, transgender veterans receiving care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) experience homelessness at three times the rate of their cisgender peers.
Contributing to this crisis is a longstanding structural issue. Veterans discharged under “don’t ask, don’t tell” often received less-than-honorable discharges, disqualifying them from the housing vouchers and benefits that many other veterans rely on. As a result, seeking assistance from government institutions can be fraught with mistrust and trauma.
“Remember, it’s the government who punished them for outing themselves when they were service members,” said Michael Kauth, executive director of the LGBTQ+ Health Program for Veterans Affairs, in an interview with KUOW. “If you served during a time of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ or during the transgender ban, if you outed yourself, you were punished by losing your career and possibly losing your benefits as a veteran. So that’s a lesson that they’ve learned and carry with them after service.”
Creating Space for Healing and Belonging
For Church, Q’mmunity House is more than a temporary shelter—it is a symbol of resilience and affirmation. It stands in stark contrast to the rejection many LGBTQ+ veterans experienced within the military system and offers an environment where their identities are not only accepted but embraced.
“At a time when LGBTQ+ veterans, service members, and their families face growing battles over healthcare and basic rights, this space represents hope, healing, and community,” Church said. “Our goal is not only to provide shelter but to create a model for how we can build a brighter and more equitable future, where every veteran has the support, dignity, and belonging they deserve.”
The application process for Q’mmunity House is open to LGBTQ+ veterans and transitioning service members residing in King County who earn less than 80% of the area median income. The house accommodates five residents at a time. The first 90 days of residence are rent-free, after which rent is based on income and capped at $300 per month.
A Holistic Approach to Reintegration
Residents of Q’mmunity House receive more than just a roof over their heads. The program includes comprehensive case management and wraparound services aimed at facilitating healing, fostering independence, and connecting veterans with broader community resources—both within the LGBTQ+ community and the wider veteran population.
“This new, first-in-the-nation transitional housing for LGBTQ+ veterans will provide a historically underserved population with access to temporary housing and on-site support services,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a public statement. “We are grateful to partner with Minority Veterans of America to fill a critical gap in services for those who have served our nation. This program ensures LGBTQ+ veterans have a safe place to build long-term stability and community here in King County.”
Looking Ahead: Building a National Model
With Q’mmunity House now a reality, Church and their organization are turning their attention to broader systemic change. Minority Veterans of America is currently collaborating with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans to develop a national framework that could guide the creation of similar housing initiatives across the country.
“My goal is not to just say, like, we want 1,000 LGBTQ veteran transitional houses,” Church told Next City. “I actually want to see — race, gender, sexual orientation — a broader availability of resources that are tailored to meet the unique identities and needs of those communities.”
Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, Church envisions a system where the specific lived experiences of marginalized veterans are recognized and addressed with nuance and compassion.
A Future Rooted in Community
Despite the obstacles they’ve overcome, Church remains hopeful about what’s possible when compassion and inclusivity guide public policy. Their work reminds us that for many LGBTQ+ veterans, the struggle for dignity doesn’t end with discharge—it’s only the beginning of a long road to recovery.
“We want to encourage that healing around being a part of something again,” they said. “And allow people that space to be in community with one another in the places that they live, and to know that it can be safe to do so.”
With Q’mmunity House, that vision is no longer just a dream. It’s a blueprint for what’s possible when communities commit to honoring all who serve—regardless of who they are or who they love.
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