Trans Soldiers Are a Terrorist Bathroom Joke to NPR. But What About Real-Life T-

[Butterfly]

Trans Soldiers Are a Terrorist Bathroom Joke to NPR. But What About Real-Life T-roops?
Queerty
09 February, 2010


http://www.queerty.com/trans-soldiers-are-a-terrorist-bathroom-joke-to-npr-but-what-about-real-life-t-roops-20100209/


Sometimes NPR is home to reasonable discussions about queers. Other times, not so much. But for a radio network that's living in a confused world of outing, it's gone farther than even we expected in making fun of Americans who don't stick to gender norms.

By making intersexed folks the punchline on this weekend's installment of NPR's current events game show Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!.

The comedy program takes current events and has its guests (and sometimes, callers) run through various exercises of guessing who or what they're talking about. It's a game show for the culture elite. Except last weekend, one of the show's segments featured comments made by Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (on NPR) regarding "transgenders and hermaphrodites," who would, he said, be able to serve openly if the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy is repealed — which we covered here.
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It did not go well.

[Hannah]

And I think the folks who have been in the military that have been in these very close situations with each other, there has to be a special bond there. And I think that bond is broken if you open up the military to transgenders, to hermaphrodites, to gays and lesbians

With all due respect, having been there and done that, I disagree with the congressman. There is a bond, the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. The flag. The way of life you are taking up arms to defend. All those things count as bonds. The presumption that the military would fall apart if people could come out is absurd and insulting to the service.

If you can earn the right to wear the uniform, and most members of the community couldn't in their wildest dreams, then I would be fine going into a fight with you. I'm gay AND trans, lol, and believe me I'm a good choice to have watching your back. With the exception of the Air Force you don't just sign up and boom there you are in pink cammies and thigh high boots, you have to be determined and tough and have some degree of bearing regardless of who you prefer to have sex with.

[sarahb]

I do have to say, the "They fall under the Don't Ask, Can't Tell policy." part was pretty funny!

~Sarah

[spacial]

The congressman is being rather insulting to the professionalism of military personel. But he no-doubt knows that they will be unable to challange him for fear of being insubordinate.

But I curious about one point in Becca's post:

With the exception of the Air Force you don't just sign up and boom there you are in pink cammies and thigh high boots,

Now I realise the Airforce is a bit of a maveric in military terms, but........ 

[tekla]

The Air Force is to the military as ....

a) fish are to water
b) as iron filings are to magnets
c) as the top management is to the factory floor workers.

Correct answer, C.  They are not soldiers, they are not sailors, and they sure as hell are not Marines.  Mostly they are officers and mechanics.