OutServe Magazine on "The New DADT: Transgender Service''

[Shana A]

Sun Jan 29, 2012 at 07:15 PM PST
OutServe Magazine on "The New DADT: Transgender Service''
by indiemcemopants

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/29/1059799/-OutServe-Magazine-on-The-New-DADT:-Transgender-Service

OutServe is an organization for LGBT military servicemembers that was created in response to anti-gay harassment that servicemembers were receiving under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. They became a major player in the campaign to repeal DADT, working on the Pentagon's repeal survey and actively approaching the media to tell their stories. In March 2011, OutServe began publishing a magazine online and in print at military bases worldwide.

Metro Weekly is reporting in an exclusive that their January/February 2012 issue confronts the next step in the long-term battle for equality:

    Jonathan Mills, a staff sergeant in the Air Force, serves as the executive editor of OutServe Magazine. He tells Metro Weekly that ''after the smoke cleared'' from the repeal of ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'' which took place on Sept. 20, 2011, the ''common sentiment echoed by our staff and members was, 'When are we gonna start pushing the T of LGBT?'"

OutServe Magazine interviewed six servicemembers who are transgender and want to serve without fear of being rejected or kicked out of the military for their gender identity.

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The Next Battle
The question of trans service could be getting a big boost with the focus OutServe has decided to give it

by Chris Geidner
Published on January 29, 2012, 8:20pm

http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=7010

The new issue of OutServe Magazine, which is available online and at select military bases and outside of certain installations across the world, takes on what it calls ''The New DADT: Transgender Service.''

One of the six current or former servicemembers who are transgender and profiled in the fifth issue of OutServe's publication, who goes by Bryan in the article to protect his identity, says, ''I want to speak out about it because I know a lot of people are not going to, and I feel like for anything to change ... a group of people are going to have to step up to the plate and talk about it ... like people did during the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal.

''I want to be part of that so maybe one day I can ... serve openly, and so other people can.''

[SandraJane]

The Next Battle:
The question of trans service could be getting a big boost with the focus OutServe has decided to give it


by Chris Geidner | Published on January 29, 2012, 8:20pm | Retrieved from the Internet on February 2, 2012 by SJ

http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=7010


OutServe Magazine cover, Jan/Feb 2012

The new issue of OutServe Magazine, which is available online and at select military bases and outside of certain installations across the world, takes on what it calls ''The New DADT: Transgender Service.''

One of the six current or former servicemembers who are transgender and profiled in the fifth issue of OutServe's publication, who goes by Bryan in the article to protect his identity, says, ''I want to speak out about it because I know a lot of people are not going to, and I feel like for anything to change ... a group of people are going to have to step up to the plate and talk about it ... like people did during the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal.

[Devlyn]

Thank you for posting this, SandraJane. Hugs, Devlyn

[SandraJane]

Thank you for posting this, SandraJane. Hugs, Devlyn

...and Zythyra too!  Your Welcomed!

[Devlyn]

Well, now I feel like a dummy! Sorry, Z, from now on rule one is "Know who started the thread you're replying to." Thanks, I enjoyed reading this, hugs, Devlyn

[Shana A]

Well, now I feel like a dummy! Sorry, Z, from now on rule one is "Know who started the thread you're replying to." Thanks, I enjoyed reading this, hugs, Devlyn

Hi Devlyn,

Not a problem. I think you replied to this before I merged the topics 

Z

[Shana A]

The New DADT: The Military's Ban on Transgender Service
OutServe interviews transgender service members, veterans, and political advocates

By Katie Miller, OutServe Board of Directors

http://outservemag.com/2012/01/the-new-dadt-the-militarys-ban-on-transgender-service/

Though OutServe boasts an impressive 51 regional chapters, a handful of chapters remain hidden from the public eye. One of most underground of these chapters contains a modest 44 members. Like most chapters, they post videos, share website links, and engage in friendly banter. But they are different. Comprising just less than one percent of the network, they are OutServe's transgender membership.

The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) means that gays and lesbians can serve openly in the military without fear of discharge.

However, the ban on transgender service remains intact. Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is considered a mental disorder by the American Psychological Association, and the military considers it a medically disqualifying condition. Not only are transgender individuals who wish to join the military prohibited from doing so, but those already serving honorably in the Armed Forces can be ousted if suspected to be transgender or found cross-dressing.