Transgender Military People and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

[Shana A]

Transgender Military People and Don't Ask, Don't Tell
June 25th, 2008

by Monica F. Helms

http://www.monicahelms.com/blog/veterans/transgender-military-people-and-don%E2%80%99t-ask-don%E2%80%99t-tell.htm

In about a week, we will once again celebrate one of our country's patriotic holidays, Independence Day, also known as the 4th of July.  The other two major patriotic holidays are Memorial Day and Veterans Day, whereas Flag Day is a minor one that people seem to miss.  Inevitably, on the three major patriotic holidays, LGB people have a desire to write articles about the need to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  I am fully supportive of the need to repeal this stupid law.  What I'm not happy about is that in these discussions and articles, transgender veterans are always left out.

I'm writing this article a week before the 4th of July to point out why it is time that transgender people should be included in the DADT discussion and included in the upcoming articles written about it.  Transgender people are at just as much risk of being kicked out under DADT as LGB people are and we now have proof of that.  There should be no excuse for any upcoming articles to leave us on the cutting room floor.