Love After War: Saving Love, Saving Lives

For veterans who have experienced injuries while serving in the military, one aspect often ignored or avoided in treatment is sexual health. In the 2021 film Love After War: Saving Love, Saving Lives, filmmaker Dr. Mitchell Tepper explores the barriers that exist in addressing these issues and the possibilities of healthy sexual activity and intimacy with service-connected disabled veterans and their partners. The almost hour-long documentary explores the experiences of six injured veterans and their partners, some of whom were together before the injuries. It draws on their experiences with their injuries and in their relationships, as well as what steps they have taken to lead a more fulfilling and intimate sexual life. Dr. Mitchell also shares his extensive knowledge and experience in working with veterans who experience a range of disabilities and the connection to sexual healthcare that includes a framework of trust, safety, and connectedness. Love After War explores the range of injuries veterans face and the impact of those injuries on sexual health. The film strives to educate veterans and people who live and work with them on the importance of breaking the silence about sexual health issues in the treatment and care of veterans. Where the documentary falls short is that only heterosexual couples are portrayed in the film and gender disparities receive very little focus. The goal to raise awareness about sexuality, health, and service-connected disabilities is diminished by the filmmaker’s choice to exclude information about or the experiences of LGBTQ+ military service members and veterans in the film.