Trans Soldiers, the BRAVEST in the Room?

WASHINGTON D.C. – President Trump has announced a cruel and unjust policy restricting transgender individuals from serving in the military. Initially, his administration aimed to prevent their acceptance, but now he’s threatening to actively remove these individuals from service. This policy is nothing short of dehumanizing, telling these folk they are not good enough to defend America simply because they are transgender.

Having worked on a British military base in Cyprus, I witnessed the challenges of being different in a military environment. Later, as a military spouse at Beale Air Force Base, I saw American military culture firsthand. Trump's claim that transgender individuals destabilize the military is baseless and insulting. I saw queer service members in Cyprus who were discreet, professional, and did their jobs without causing issues. Transgender individuals who join the military might be braver than the majority, as they are being true to themselves in an often unforgiving environment. The bravery of those serving, regardless of their identity, is undeniable, and it is sickening that they are being cast aside by their own government.

There are also dire practical concerns. Will these service members receive honorable or dishonorable discharges? This distinction affects their benefits once they leave the military. Those who have served nearly twenty years and are close to retirement are entitled to full benefits, including TRICARE and a military pension. Are they going to lose all of that simply because they dared to live as their true selves? The long-term impacts of such discharges are severe, as this record follows them into civilian life. 

To make the military more inclusive of transgender service members, we must accept that people are unique. Those who choose to serve are filling a crucial role, as not everyone is willing to enlist. If someone is ready to serve their country, their gender, ideology, sexuality, or politics should not matter. Policies should support everyone willing to serve, not target them with bigotry. This exclusion is hateful, shameful, and completely unacceptable.

America’s military needs to stop this let me see what’s in your pants nonsense and grow the fuck up.

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