News and Events => People news => Topic started by: Shana A on November 11, 2012, 12:59:00 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender
Post by: Shana A on November 11, 2012, 12:59:00 PM
Post by: Shana A on November 11, 2012, 12:59:00 PM
Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender
National Political Editor Samantha Maiden
The Sunday Telegraph
November 11, 2012 12:00AM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/bombshell-dropped-as-army-officer-changes-gender/story-e6freuy9-1226514363928 (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/bombshell-dropped-as-army-officer-changes-gender/story-e6freuy9-1226514363928)
ARMY chief David Morrison's speechwriter, Malcolm McGregor,has secured the support of the Defence Force to continue employment as Cate McGregor.
The former journalist and political staffer to John Hewson and Bob Carr shocked the political establishment yesterday by choosing to publicly confirm the transition.
The army respectfully kept the secret for months, allowing Lieutenant Colonel McGregor time off to write a memoir, An Indian Summer Of Cricket, while undergoing hormone therapy and an extraordinary personal transformation.
In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Telegraph Lt-Col McGregor said she was humbled the way the defence forces had handled the matter.
"When I came out to the army, I said I would not be commenting on my transsexuality," she said.
National Political Editor Samantha Maiden
The Sunday Telegraph
November 11, 2012 12:00AM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/bombshell-dropped-as-army-officer-changes-gender/story-e6freuy9-1226514363928 (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/bombshell-dropped-as-army-officer-changes-gender/story-e6freuy9-1226514363928)
ARMY chief David Morrison's speechwriter, Malcolm McGregor,has secured the support of the Defence Force to continue employment as Cate McGregor.
The former journalist and political staffer to John Hewson and Bob Carr shocked the political establishment yesterday by choosing to publicly confirm the transition.
The army respectfully kept the secret for months, allowing Lieutenant Colonel McGregor time off to write a memoir, An Indian Summer Of Cricket, while undergoing hormone therapy and an extraordinary personal transformation.
In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Telegraph Lt-Col McGregor said she was humbled the way the defence forces had handled the matter.
"When I came out to the army, I said I would not be commenting on my transsexuality," she said.
Title: Re: Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender
Post by: spacial on November 11, 2012, 01:04:08 PM
Post by: spacial on November 11, 2012, 01:04:08 PM
Wow. Military types more intelegent than journalists.
Whood a thunk it?
Whood a thunk it?
Title: Re: Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender
Post by: Beth Andrea on November 11, 2012, 01:16:42 PM
Post by: Beth Andrea on November 11, 2012, 01:16:42 PM
Quote from: spacial on November 11, 2012, 01:04:08 PM
Wow. Military types more intelegent than journalists.
Whood a thunk it?
Well...maybe more respectful ...you go get 'em, Cate, ma'am!
Title: Re: Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender
Post by: Joelene9 on November 11, 2012, 03:58:45 PM
Post by: Joelene9 on November 11, 2012, 03:58:45 PM
I wished that the same could be said of the US military on our transgender members.
Joelene
US Navy, Vietnam era.
Joelene
US Navy, Vietnam era.
Title: Re: Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender
Post by: RedFox on November 12, 2012, 05:04:01 AM
Post by: RedFox on November 12, 2012, 05:04:01 AM
It's always great to see acceptance of ->-bleeped-<- in the military. I just wish the US military would be as accepting. I'm hoping that they'll change the regulations soon enough for me to finish my years out towards retirement.
Title: Re: Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender
Post by: spacial on November 12, 2012, 06:10:22 AM
Post by: spacial on November 12, 2012, 06:10:22 AM
It is.
I'm just wondering if it's more a problem for the press than the military.
On a slightly different issue, but closely enough related as to be relevant, there is a discussion going on here in the UK, about some Black military officer in WW1. It is being claimed that the reason there was only that one, is becuase it was believed that British troops would be reluctant to take orders from a black officer.
This is incredably disingenuous. It was unlikely that British troops in WW1 would have taken orders from any officer who wasn't, at the very least, British and preferably English!
I'm not sure what the current situation is for gender variant troops in the British military, but having worked on military bases, as a civilian and knowing quite a number of military types quite well at that time, I am certain they will accept anyone they feel they can trust.
While I do, of course, continue to wish all Americans get what they all want, the thread Transition As Transaction has reminded me, yet again, of the folly of a non-American to seek to make any judgement or claims about that place. Apologies to SageFox and others. I wasn't trying to talk you down, rather that I just don't know.
I'm just wondering if it's more a problem for the press than the military.
On a slightly different issue, but closely enough related as to be relevant, there is a discussion going on here in the UK, about some Black military officer in WW1. It is being claimed that the reason there was only that one, is becuase it was believed that British troops would be reluctant to take orders from a black officer.
This is incredably disingenuous. It was unlikely that British troops in WW1 would have taken orders from any officer who wasn't, at the very least, British and preferably English!
I'm not sure what the current situation is for gender variant troops in the British military, but having worked on military bases, as a civilian and knowing quite a number of military types quite well at that time, I am certain they will accept anyone they feel they can trust.
While I do, of course, continue to wish all Americans get what they all want, the thread Transition As Transaction has reminded me, yet again, of the folly of a non-American to seek to make any judgement or claims about that place. Apologies to SageFox and others. I wasn't trying to talk you down, rather that I just don't know.
Title: Re: Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender
Post by: RedFox on November 12, 2012, 08:06:38 AM
Post by: RedFox on November 12, 2012, 08:06:38 AM
I am actually an American military officer - and I was only speaking about the force I know of. I know many of our allies allow transgender soldiers to serve. My comment was simply that Americans are behind the times. I hope we catch up with the rest of the civilized world sooner rather than later.
I wouldn't presume to speak about something I didn't know about. :)
I wouldn't presume to speak about something I didn't know about. :)
Title: Re: Bombshell dropped as army officer changes gender
Post by: spacial on November 12, 2012, 09:00:41 AM
Post by: spacial on November 12, 2012, 09:00:41 AM
I really wish you and all Americans, well, SageFox.
It's such a lovely country. So much achieved, so much more to give. We can only hope you can find your own way past your current, internal stale-mates.
But I know, beyond doubt, you have to find your own way. It goes without saying that the love and encouragement of most of the world goes with you all.
It's such a lovely country. So much achieved, so much more to give. We can only hope you can find your own way past your current, internal stale-mates.
But I know, beyond doubt, you have to find your own way. It goes without saying that the love and encouragement of most of the world goes with you all.