'Don't Ask, Don't Tell': Transgender Officers On Secretly Serving In The U.S. M

[Shana A]

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell': Transgender Officers On Secretly Serving In The U.S. Military (VIDEO)

Posted: 09/26/2012 12:32 pm EDT Updated: 09/26/2012 12:39 pm EDT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/dont-ask-dont-tell-transgender-military_n_1916271.html

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" may have been repealed a year ago, but transgender people are still banned from serving in the military. Tackling the issue is HuffPost Live's Marc Lamont Hill, who is joined by former U.S. Navy pilot Brynn Tannehill, legal director for Service Members Legal Defense Network David McKean, President of Transgender American Vetrans Association Monica Helms, Communications Director at Outserve Sue Fulton, and Olivia, who is a transgender service member currently serving in the U.S. Navy.

Brynn, a transgender former U.S. Navy Pilot, noted, "I always really, really, really wanted to fly...I felt like I could fake it until I make it, and unfortunately it doesn't work out that way."

A recent study found thattransgender lifestyles may be doubly as prevalent in the military.

Sue Fulton discussed why transgender people have such a strong military presence, "There's several theories. You join the military to 'become a man.'" She continued, "I do think that a trans man in the military can be 'very butch,' and if you're still wrestling with that idea it [the military] can be a safe place. But if you're fighting that male identity, it can be a difficult place."

[RedFox]

As a currently deployed US Army Officer, this article hits home.  I remember being elated when DADT was repealed as I've always identified as bi-sexual and felt wronged by the obviously biased and homophobic foundation of DADT.  When I realized I was trans my first thoughts were of how to make that transition in uniform.  But looking through the regulations I quickly discovered that it was either back into the closet or get out of uniform - voluntarily or involuntarily.

I'm hoping that the US catches up with our allies in in this area and I can come back to the service that I've come to love - as the woman I am and not the man I pretend to be.