“Swift Boating” My Wear Of A Women’s US Navy Dress Blue Uniform In DADT Protests

[Shana A]

"Swift Boating" My Wear Of A Women's US Navy Dress Blue Uniform In DADT Protests
By: Autumn Sandeen Monday June 4, 2012 3:13 pm    

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/06/04/swift-boating-my-wear-of-a-womens-us-navy-dress-blue-uniform-in-dadt-protests/

Two of the things I'm proudest of in my activist life is participating in the GetEqual 6 and Get Equal 13 direct actions towards repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT).

I was very prepared to go protest in uniform as I owned a Navy Dress Blue US Navy uniform.

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So let's not completely bury the lead completely here: I've recently had my participation in those direct actions called into question by some on one of the extreme ends of trans identity/essentialism politics. The arguments weren't just about my participation in the protests, but based on how I wore a women's Navy uniform to protest when I'd never worn a women's uniform when in the service. A blogger penning under the name "Carmen Sense" stated I wore that women's dress blue Navy uniform as a "costume."

This take on my participation in the GetEqual DADT protests has, in my mind, the makings of a "swift boat" style attack meme.