The Great Debate & the Trans Military Question

[Carolyn Marie]

I watched the entire prime time debate tonight. I won't bore you with my opinion or analysis, other than to say that it was entertaining.

However, one of the moderators, Megyn Kelly, asked Mike Huckabee for his opinion about the move to allow transgender folks to serve in the Armed Forces.

As with most questions, the candidate didn't answer the question directly. He suggested that it was not a good use of funds to pay for surgery for active duty trans folk, and then went off topic. At least he didn't say he was opposed to the policy. Huckabee was the only candidate who was asked that question. No other questions pertained to our community.

I am not implying that our issues should have taken on more importance. But it probably will come up again during the campaign.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Alexthecat]

I did not see the debate but a top surgery takes 2 months to heal. If you take time off then there is plenty of time to recover. Bottom surgery however takes longer and should not happen when you are active duty.

[Charlize]

I am amazed that we even came up at all and quite pleased that the very mention of trans* inclusion didn't allow for a storm of hate. Maybe that's because Trump didn't get the question. He seems to specialize in using hate and fear to his advantage.

I doubt this race has relevance. I think Bush is the chosen one.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest DesiB]

Many were pleased with Governor Kasich's response on same-sex marriage. He is willing to accept the court's ruling and beyond that declared that since he has unconditional love from God, he would also give the same to his children if they were gay. And he mentioned a recent attendance of a gay wedding. After his response, the audience cheered.

On the other hand, the audience cheered just as loudly after Governor Huckabee spoke against using the military for social experimentation and said it would not help increase military readiness to pay for sex-change surgeries.

Regarding the argument that bottom surgery should not take place during active duty because of recovery time. I think you should consider the fact that military women get pregnant on active duty on a regular basis. After my surgery, I was riding a bike within 2 months. And when I was in the Marine Corps, my MOS was ground radio repair--something I could have easily done one month after surgery.

[Carolyn Marie]

On the other hand, the audience cheered just as loudly after Governor Huckabee spoke against using the military for social experimentation and said it would not help increase military readiness to pay for sex-change surgeries.

.

Thank you, Desi, for including the "social experimentation" quote. I had forgotten that bit, and it is important.

Carolyn Marie

[Carolyn Marie]

Here's the clip. He probably would have considered ending segregation in the military also a "social experiment."

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/250520-huckabee-us-military-is-not-a-social-experiment

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Alexthecat]

I was thinking more along the lines of male bottom surgery. It takes three surgeries, that is a lot of time off.

[Guest Seanna]

I did not see the debate but a top surgery takes 2 months to heal. If you take time off then there is plenty of time to recover. Bottom surgery however takes longer and should not happen when you are active duty.

I couldn't disagree more. The military provides plenty other "elective" surgeries to improve quality of life, regardless of the down time. When I was in the Army, I had hip surgery. I was on convalescent leave (which is paid leave and doesn't count against your regular leave) for two months, then couldn't do normal PT for another 6 months or so. Obviously you wouldn't be able to go into the field for some time, but your con leave time would likely be shorter. I see absolutely no reason why any necessary surgery shouldn't be provided. Hell, they even give women breast augmentation.

[Guest DesiB]

Understood, Alex . . . and it's something to consider. But those relatively few (I say relatively few because all trans men do not want surgery at all, or even the same type, and if multiple procedures are needed they can be spaced out over time) such examples should not be used to restrict all trans individuals from openly serving, especially since so many already have had to endure so much suffering alone and unsupported while serving with honor.

We don't even know what the policy might be yet. Currently you can be discharged for simply admitting that you identify as trans, even if you aren't doing anything about it. That is no where near a policy of embracing full medical transition and having them pay for it! They may decide on something half way--who knows? But we know that dealing with medical issues is a part of life for which the military needs to be prepared, regardless of who is enlisted. And we already know that trans individuals have served in higher proportions than the rest of the population, so maybe it's time that ought to count for something.

[Carolyn Marie]

Here's an article with the response from the HRC.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/07/politics/mike-huckabee-transgender-military-hrc/

Carolyn Marie

[MWK89]

Many were pleased with Governor Kasich's response on same-sex marriage. He is willing to accept the court's ruling and beyond that declared that since he has unconditional love from God, he would also give the same to his children if they were gay. And he mentioned a recent attendance of a gay wedding. After his response, the audience cheered.

On the other hand, the audience cheered just as loudly after Governor Huckabee spoke against using the military for social experimentation and said it would not help increase military readiness to pay for sex-change surgeries.

Regarding the argument that bottom surgery should not take place during active duty because of recovery time. I think you should consider the fact that military women get pregnant on active duty on a regular basis. After my surgery, I was riding a bike within 2 months. And when I was in the Marine Corps, my MOS was ground radio repair--something I could have easily done one month after surgery.

I thought Kasich came off well. Its the direction that the GOP is going to have to go to to be seen as more electable to the current generation.

As for Huckabee, I have to admit, I found it amusing how he said the military is for "killing people and breaking things".