DADT – Trans = Better, Not Best
Posted by helenboyd – September 20, 2011
http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2011/09/20/dadt-trans-better-not-best/ (http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2011/09/20/dadt-trans-better-not-best/)
I'm glad DADT has gone the way of history (and somewhat amazed such an idiotic policy had such a long tenure), but the fact of it is trans people are not covered by the repeal of DADT: crossdressing and cross-gender presentation is still considered mental illness and grounds for discharge in the US military.
JAC Stringer has explained in a post over at Trans Group Blog:
What bothers me more than the issues within the military is the greater "LGB" community's reaction, or lack their of, to the exclusion of trans* communities. I'm so glad today is here so I won't be invited to another "Yay DADT! All Our Problems are Over!" facebook event; after months of it I'm fed up. Yes, we should be celebrating, but its downright lousy to rub it in trans people's faces saying "we don't have to worry anymore" and "problem solved."
This was a concern of mine when DADT was being repealed. I'm a veteran and transgender. I'm happy that it was repealed but trans people can still be discharged if found out.