Transgenders And The Military

[Guest Dennis S.]

Hi, my name DJ and I wanted to start a forum about transgenders in the military. Now if you ask me I believe that transgenders have the right to be go into the military and that they have the right to join the military no matter who they are. If they want to honor their country then they should be able to do that. The president should look at all people of the LGBT community not just gays and lesbians. Too many members are being alienated by the US government because they feel that they do not have the same values as other Americans. But I, as a member of the LGBT community, want to serve my country. I may seem nice but I have a personality a lot like George Patton if you get me mad. He, along with MacArthur, is my role model and I look up to him with a passion. When I look at my future I see myself as becoming a leader of the LGBT and the woman community. Anyway that's my opinion and I want to hear what you guys think.

[Guest Donna Jean]

I served in the Air Force....

I had to do it as male....it was 1969 and in Vietnam....there was little known about Transgendered people....

At the time I had no idea of what my condition was all about ....

But I dealt with it somehow....

I'm also hoping that Gays and Transgendered people are allowed to openly serve...

We are just as patriotic as anyone else!

Donna Jean (DJ)

[Carolyn Marie]

I'm with you, Dennis. Its been proven around the world that members of the TG community, as well as Gays and Lesbians, can be and have been excellent

military leaders. When we need boots on the ground, we need loyal, dedicated, professional and well trained people to fill them. Those should be the ONLY requirements.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Wendae]

I believe anyone that can pass the physical and educational requirements should be allowed to serve. That said, they should also be required to abide by regulations. I do see that there could be some major problems with CDs reporting to work in the opposite sexs' uniform. More specifically feminine attire and make-up. I realize that most now wear the same utilities/fatigues/bdu, etc. I was thinking more of dress and un-dress uniforms. I just don't think duty hours would be appropiate. What you do on your own time should be your own business as long as it doesn't bring discredit to that branch of the service.

[gennee]

I was in the army from 1971-1974. I didn't know about my being transgender until many years later. Transgender people should be allowed to serve openly.

Gennee

[Guest Cris]

I had a recent coversation regarding this as well as the dont ask dont tell legislation with my senators office very recently. I was talking to them about several issues and this was one of them. Problem is, my pathetic senator does not want to make any changes while there is a war going on. He said that he is concerned over our nations security and a change as drastic as this may make our nation vulnerable.

HECK YES I went off on him. Very politely and tactfully and then at the end of my conversations with him told him my vote is very much in question regarding re-election.

Im too old and never have served, but I believe any young man or woman regardless of gender or sexual orientation should be allowed to defend and serve their country.

Cris

[Guest Lisa Berry]

hi, everyone.

Transgender in military might be a new issue in America. However, in Thailand, many transgender women and transvestites are recruited to serve in militaly each year. They do this for generations as Thai law doesn't allow transgenders to change their identity from male to female. By the law, all young men must be recruited to serve in military and that also includes transgender women. This story--about how Thai transgender life would be in military, is available in the book--"Thai crossdresser Tales".

Lisa Berry

[Guest Steven22]

The I dont think the problem with transsexuals in the military is the dodt policy. I pulled this quote from a post in the veterans forum about a girl who go out and this is from an army manual.

"3–35. Personality, psychosexual conditions, transsexual, gender identity, exhibitionism,

transvestism, voyeurism, other paraphilias, or factitious disorders; disorders of impulse control not

elsewhere classified

a. A history of, or current manifestations of, personality disorders, disorders of impulse control not elsewhere

classified, transvestism, voyeurism, other paraphilias, or factitious disorders, psychosexual conditions, transsexual,

gender identity disorder to include major abnormalities or defects of the genitalia such as change of sex or a current

attempt to change sex, hermaphroditism, pseudohermaphroditism, or pure gonadal dysgenesis or dysfunctional residuals

from surgical correction of these conditions render an individual administratively unfit.

b. These conditions render an individual administratively unfit rather than unfit because of physical illness or

medical disability. These conditions will be dealt with through administrative channels, including AR 135–175, AR

135–178, AR 635–200, or AR 600–8–24."

I only know MC manuals and we dont have a medical dept, that was the navy. Chances are in good standing them being very similar.

I don't see it happening for a long time

[Guest Donna Jean]

I don't see it happening for a long time

Same here, Hon..........

*sigh*

Donna Jean

[Guest SilverDragon]

Well as for serving openly, I believe it isn't possible.

The Don't Ask Don't Tell is the policy that the military has on lesbian and gay people.

It basically means, "don't talk about it and we won't ask about it." It basically applies to us too.

However, I think we should steer this conversation towards a different area. The don't ask don't tell policy was created for logistical simplicity. They don't want an odd man or woman out, or someone that makes others uncomfortable. Especially if you have to bunk next to them in close quarters while they openly admit they are part of the lgbt community.

I mean, not to be blunt, but lets face it. Some people would be uncomfortable, and that can be bad.

So, how could we make it remain logistically simple for the military while allowing all members of the lgbt community participate openly in the armed forces?

I believe that is the question.

[Guest ChloëC]

There are some definite problems going on today that are and will continue to make it very difficult for any in the LGBT community to serve and be open.

In the past, there were sections of society that were deemed either not fit to serve or could only serve in selected roles. In World War II, this included men of Japanese ancestry and African-Americans to name just two. The army got around both problems by forming segregated units where these two groups could serve. Many of Japanese ancestry served in the 442 division in Europe (they weren't going to put them into the Pacific!!!), and that unit became one of the most highly decorated units in the war. For African-Americans, we can recall the Tuskeegee Airmen, a unit of pilots that was basically segregated. Both these groups and others, through their abilities and courage were able to overcome the problems and eventually became integrated into the services.

Jump up to today, and you'll find that the military is not in the segregation business. If they were, there would be uproars all over the place. Since there is no specific unit that people in the LGBT community can join and be with others, AND show military authorities that they can do their jobs as well or better than other units, the military will continue excluding those people, because for generations, that was the easiest policy, either exclusion or segregation. The military considers no other options.

Chloë

[Guest Donna Jean]

Good post, Chloe....

Yes, for many years blacks and Japanese Americans were segregated in the military...

But, when a B-17 was under attack from an ME-109....They didn't care what color the pilot of those red tailed P-51's were! (They were all black)

Donna Jean

[Guest Steven22]

I don't think it has anything to with doing a job.

I think it lies in the military being or attempting to be as conservative as possible. Everything from off duty dress to how you are supposed to act in public, places you can and cannot go is regulated, at least from my experience in marines. Now I have never been forced to go to church but 70 guys all looking at you because you dont want to go is pretty intimidating. Now granted not all of it is followed to the T but some people really try to get you to. I know for a fact the army/navy/air force is different so experiences may vary but thats my experience.