President Obama: A Transgender Veteran Is Not An ''Impersonator,'' ''It,'' Or '

[Shana A]

President Obama: A Transgender Veteran Is Not An ''Impersonator,'' ''It,'' Or ''Shim''
by: Autumn Sandeen
Mon Apr 26, 2010 at 08:00:00 AM EDT

http://pamshouseblend.com/diary/15940/president-obama-a-transgender-veteran-is-not-impersonator-it-or-shim

also at Daily Kos http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/4/26/860860/-President-Obama:-A-Transgender-Veteran-Is-Not-An-Impersonator,-It,-Or-Shim-

Dear President Barack Obama,

My name is Autumn Sandeen, I'm a retired, disabled Fire Controlman, First Class Petty Officer; I retired in 2000 from the U.S. Navy after twenty years of service. Thumbnail link: FC1 Autumn Sandeen, USN (Ret.)You may know my name already, as I was one of the six military veterans who handcuffed ourselves to the White House fence on Tuesday, April 20th, 2010, to put pressure on you to include the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in your submission of the Defense Authorization Budget. I am writing today to bring to your attention the discriminatory behavior I was subjected to as a transgender woman by your federal law enforcement officers.

I am a strong, confident transgender woman.  I served proudly as a Persian Gulf War Veteran onboard the USS Gary (FFG-51) as a Close-In Weapons System technician during that war. I was awarded both a Navy Achievement Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second award for my service at Naval Station Long Beach's Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity. I served onboard the USS Coronado when the ship was awarded a Unit Commendation. I'm also a disabled veteran; my VA Disability Rating is 100%, and is a service-connected disability. When I handcuffed myself to the White House fence, I wasn't an impersonator wearing a costume; I was proudly wearing an appropriate uniform for my gender identity.

[Dana Lane]

Share the article everywhere you can. Obama needs to see this. What a totally disgusting treatment she got. She is a brave woman! I would be terrified to do what she did.

[LordKAT]

for what it's worth, county jails are often worse.

[Janet_Girl]

This is a total outrage.  Government employees treating a retired veteran to such treatment.  They need to be fired and as a taxpayer, paying their salaries i will just say.  "YOU"RE FIRED".



I happen to remember that President Obama is a friend on MySpace, so I sent off a letter with a reference to the article.

[LordKAT]

retired vet or not, makes no difference, the treatment was bad even if it was you or me