US Department of Defense Trans Policy Roundup

[skin]

There's been a lot of press on challenging the transgender ban in the military the last couple days.  Here is a selection of stories on the topic:

U.S. military urged to follow Canada's transgender policy
CBC News
October 20, 2014
Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/u-s-military-urged-to-follow-canada-s-transgender-policy-1.2805598?cmp=rss

There are many things that make Canada distinct from the United States but aside from the usual clichés — passion for hockey, maple syrup, and Timbits — there is perhaps a lesser known difference when it comes to our militaries.

The Canadian Forces has something the American military does not: a policy that allows transgender people to serve. In the U.S., Pentagon rules prohibit transgender members and if they're discovered, the military can discharge them.

At a conference on Monday in Washington, D.C., Canada was held up as a model for the U.S. to follow, along with other countries that allow transgender members including Australia, the United Kingdom, Sweden and New Zealand.

Yes to LGB, No to T: The Pentagon Still Has a Transgender Ban
Tim Mak, The Daily Beast
October 20, 2014
Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/20/yes-to-lgb-no-to-t-the-pentagon-still-has-a-transgender-ban.html

Three years after the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the "T" in LGBT seems to have been left behind in military policy. Unlike gays, lesbians, and bisexuals, openly transgender individuals can be kicked out of the military if their true identity becomes known.

But any possible doubt about the suitability of transgender individuals for military service wouldn't survive a meeting with Kristin Beck.

Transgender troops want Pentagon ban lifted
Mike Conneen, WJLA
October 20, 2014
Link: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/10/transgender-troops-want-pentagon-ban-lifted-108275.html

Unlike the Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal – which required Congressional action – these activists say the Pentagon's policy banning transgender troops could be undone by President Obama with the stroke of a pen.

"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about rejoining the military and I look forward to the day that it's a possibility," said U.S. Navy veteran Landon Wilson.

Wilson was discharged in 2013 when – up for a promotion – he said his unit discovered paperwork showing he joined the Navy as a woman.

As Advocates Gather in D.C., Pelosi Endorses Trans Military Service
Mitch Kellaway, The Advocate
October 21, 2014
Link: http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/10/21/advocates-gather-dc-pelosi-endorses-trans-military-service

A spokesperson for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told the Washington Blade on Friday that the California Democrat believes gender identity should not be a factor prohibiting prospective soldiers from enlisting in the U.S. armed forces.

[Devlyn]

This is a link to a PDF file of the Veterans Administration guidelines for the handling and treatment of transgender and intersex veterans. They do not cover reassignment surgery, but hormones are covered.

VHA DIRECTIVE 2013-003  http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2863

[RedFox]

I just got home from this conference. Wow.. what a long few days. Some of those articles turned out well, some didn't. There is still too much ignorance among the media on who to present these issues properly and even how to address us. I harp on people all the time about using the word "transgender" properly.. especially reporters.. but they never seem to learn. Frustrating.

Happy to answer any question you all might have though.

- Sage

[skin]

I harp on people all the time about using the word "transgender" properly.. especially reporters.. but they never seem to learn. Frustrating.

If you are talking about the "ed" problem, that's never going to get better considering a large portion of transgender people verbalize the word themselves.