Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender

[Shana A]

Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender

    National Political Editor Samantha Maiden
    The Sunday Telegraph
    November 11, 2012 12:00AM

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/bombshell-dropped-as-army-officer-changes-gender/story-e6freuy9-1226514363928

ARMY chief David Morrison's speechwriter, Malcolm McGregor,has secured the support of the Defence Force to continue employment as Cate McGregor.

The former journalist and political staffer to John Hewson and Bob Carr shocked the political establishment yesterday by choosing to publicly confirm the transition.

The army respectfully kept the secret for months, allowing Lieutenant Colonel McGregor time off to write a memoir, An Indian Summer Of Cricket, while undergoing hormone therapy and an extraordinary personal transformation.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Telegraph Lt-Col McGregor said she was humbled the way the defence forces had handled the matter.

"When I came out to the army, I said I would not be commenting on my transsexuality," she said.

[spacial]

Wow. Military types more intelegent than journalists.

Whood a thunk it?

[Beth Andrea]

Wow. Military types more intelegent than journalists.

Whood a thunk it?

Well...maybe more respectful ...you go get 'em, Cate, ma'am!

[Joelene9]

  I wished that the same could be said of the US military on our transgender members. 

  Joelene

  US Navy, Vietnam era.

[RedFox]

It's always great to see acceptance of ->-bleeped-<- in the military.  I just wish the US military would be as accepting.  I'm hoping that they'll change the regulations soon enough for me to finish my years out towards retirement.

[spacial]

It is.

I'm just wondering if it's more a problem for the press than the military.

On a slightly different issue, but closely enough related as to be relevant, there is a discussion going on here in the UK, about some Black military officer in WW1. It is being claimed that the reason there was only that one, is becuase it was believed that British troops would be reluctant to take orders from a black officer.

This is incredably disingenuous. It was unlikely that British troops in WW1 would have taken orders from any officer who wasn't, at the very least, British and preferably English!

I'm not sure what the current situation is for gender variant troops in the British military, but having worked on military bases, as a civilian and knowing quite a number of military types quite well at that time, I am certain they will accept anyone they feel they can trust.

While I do, of course, continue to wish all Americans get what they all want, the thread  Transition As Transaction has reminded me, yet again, of the folly of a non-American to seek to make any judgement or claims about that place. Apologies to SageFox and others. I wasn't trying to talk you down, rather that I just don't know.

[RedFox]

I am actually an American military officer - and I was only speaking about the force I know of.  I know many of our allies allow transgender soldiers to serve.  My comment was simply that Americans are behind the times.  I hope we catch up with the rest of the civilized world sooner rather than later.

I wouldn't presume to speak about something I didn't know about. 

[spacial]

I really wish you and all Americans, well, SageFox.

It's such a lovely country. So much achieved, so much more to give. We can only hope you can find your own way past your current, internal stale-mates.

But I know, beyond doubt, you have to find your own way. It goes without saying that the love and encouragement of most of the world goes with you all.