Op-ed: The Dangers of Lifting the Trans Military Ban

[stephaniec]

Op-ed: The Dangers of Lifting the Trans Military Ban

http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2015/07/30/op-ed-dangers-inherent-lifting-trans-military-ban

The Advocate/BY Amanda KerriJuly 30 2015 4:00 AM ET

"The out-of-the-blue announcement from Secretary of Defense Ash Carter that the department is working on a plan that would lift the ban on service by openly transgender people came as a huge surprise and a victory for the community. Although as a trans woman and an Army veteran I was happy that the military was moving forward, I still had very real reservations about how great this would actually be for trans people ."

[Jessica Merriman]

Ugh! There are no dangers, period. Trans people are already in place and have served well.

[suzifrommd]

These same arguments (they might not be accepted, might face discrimination, bullying, etc.) can be said about allowing people of color, gay people, Muslims, women, or anyone other than white, male, euro, protestant, etc. The solution isn't to keep out anyone who is different. The solution is a disciplined military where intolerance is quickly addressed.